EAST PROVIDENCE – Parishioners at St. Martha Church were treated to a new kind of dinner theater earlier this month when they attended a play staged by an ensemble of dedicated and faith-filled performers.
Guests enjoyed the precious gifts of delicious food and joyous laughter during the performance, and left the parish hall filled with inspiration and awe in anticipation of the birth of Christ on Christmas Day.
Stephen De Cesare, parish Music Director, wrote a play entitled “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas. The production was performed by more than 20 youths from the parish religious education program, as well as a few parents and other adults. St. Martha’s pastor, Father Douglas Spina, had a cameo role as a rabbi who married Mary and Joseph in the the contemporary adaptation of the Nativity story.
“I wanted to tell the nativity differently without losing the meaning of the holiday,” said De Cesare. “I’m tired of the commercialization of Christmas. The beauty of the play is in its simplicity.”
De Cesare’s production centers on the struggle between a mother who wants her daughter to attend Christmas Eve Mass, but the young woman has other plans. The story is punctuated with flashback scenes, beginning with the Annunciation and ending with Holy Family being visited by the Three Wise Men at the manger.
Once the young woman witnesses the beauty of the Nativity story as it unfolds, she discovers the true meaning of Christmas and joyfully accompanies her mother to church.
De Cesare noted that the play was published in 2000 and has been performed all over the world. He added that the enthusiastic performers at St. Martha’s spent several weeks learning their roles as well as the music which, he composed and has recorded on a CD.
The talented writer and musician emphasized that he saw a need for a production such as “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” to combat the flood of messages that people, especially children, start receiving months in advance about the latest gadgets, fashions and toys.
“The true meaning of Christmas is almost gone,” he lamented. “It’s getting harder and harder for the kids to understand what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.”
De Cesare emphasized that that many youth today have no idea why significant religious holidays are celebrated.
“They need a firm foundation in religion from the church and the home,” he observed. “Parents need to discuss why Christmas is celebrated. While presents may be fun, Jesus is the reason for the season.”
De Cesare said that children often see adults “going through the motions,” unaware of the true meaning of Advent and Christmas, and they unknowingly model that behavior.
The well-known Rhode Island College graduate and author praised the many St. Martha’s parishioners who spent several weeks building scenery and sewing costumes.
“The people of this parish are going all out to help the kids,” he added.
Father Spina described the production as “very moving.
“It was a wonderful production. I can’t think of anyone who left uninspired,” he added.
The priest said that his own participation in the play “touched a few chords.”
“It was a wonderful, wonderful experience,” he said.
