March is a busy time at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Chanhassen. Every inch of the building is full of kids, adults, sets and props. It’s time for the all-church musical.
The tradition began in 2008 with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” That first show was very low-tech with very little set.
Since then, the shows have grown bigger and the production quality has grown with it. For example, the first time they performed “The Music Man” in 2009, they created a piano out of a cardboard box, but when they did the same show again in 2023, there was a real piano on stage.
Past shows include “Mary Poppins,” “Wizard of Oz” and “Shrek,” just to name a few. According to Director Carlye Peterson and Production Manager Andie Rydberg, the musicals must have a large and expandable cast, be kid-friendly, and have a good message that fits the vibe of the church.
This year’s show, “Willy Wonka” checked off all of those boxes. There were more than 80 cast members, about 50 of them children, and another 80 or more people working behind the scenes.
According to Pastor Josh Nelson, the show is a “parable of greed versus selflessness, and of selfishness versus kindness. We too learn some important lessons about traveling through life with honesty and integrity.”
There is a very practical purpose to the all-church musical. It’s a major fundraiser for the youth mission/service trips and spiritual retreats. This year some of the students will be traveling to Asheville, North Carolina, to help with hurricane relief.
Another outcome is the inter-generational community that is being built. Peterson sees the benefit of teenage kids working side-by-side with older adults, and little kids being mentored by older kids.
Rydberg says it’s about “building community and connection, and doing something outside-the-box in a faith community.”
Cari Nesvold, cast member, agrees. “It’s all about the people. It’s a great community.”
Members of the Nesvold family have been in the past four shows. Addy, a middle-schooler, does the shows because, “I like singing and dancing and having fun on stage.”
The Gallucci family has participated in at least 10 shows, either on-stage or in the pit orchestra. Aiden (Augustus Gloop in “Willy Wonka”) keeps coming back because, “it’s always a positive experience.”
This year, Peterson and Rydberg also wanted to honor the legacy of Leann Thompson, former Faith Formation director at Family of Christ.
“I have deep gratitude in my heart for our late friend, Leann Thompson, who passed away last spring, but I note that it was her creative passion that truly helped launch our church’s Musical Ministry in the first place,” Pastor Nelson said.
Family of Christ presented four sold-out performances of “Willy Wonka” last weekend, March 14-16.
