I Can't Wait for Christmas
David and Ashley Johnson and their six children are excited about the upcoming holidays singing gleefully “I Can’t Wait for Christmas.” But like most families today, they are over-extended and over-committed! That’s why on Christmas Eve they still need to hit the mall to shop for gifts, stop at a local tree lot to buy the perfect tree, and once home, dig out the old decorations for said tree -- and the rest of the house! The family is so consumed with all the last-minute secular preparations they ignore the most important reasons for the holiday, even when the signs are right in front of them: a teen friend who sings “Praise Him,” bell ringers who sing “Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout My Lord,” and an apparently homeless man, who sings “That's What Christmas Means to Me.” Even Grandpa, up from Florida, explains why David is so bitter against God. But it takes a serious electrical accident involving the youngest child Zoe to make the family really wake up. A hospital pastor, prayers and songs finally help the whole Johnson family experience the love that surrounds Christmas. This musical contains 13 original songs. Approximately two hours including an intermission.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
With Keith Klewer
What inspired you to write this musical?
I felt we continually need to be reminded about the true meaning of Christmas.
What's your favorite part or line in the musical? Why?
Watching Amy grow in her faith until she can eventually minister to her own father in his time of questioning his faith.
Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?
Most are from my imagination, based on characteristics I assigned to each part.
What did you try to achieve with this musical?
I was really looking for a way to share the true meaning of Christmas to a larger audience and encourage those that know the true meaning, to share it with those who don't. That doesn't mean we can't have some fun also. The audience members may see themselves in some of the scenes while the Johnson family prepares for the holidays. If one person is changed or inspired by this musical, it was all worth it.
Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
Do not dismiss the gifts God gave to you and the power of the Holy Spirit to use them. I never thought I could do something like this, but God and The Spirit had other plans. Examine your own gifts and use them to do God's work.
I wanted to include a special thanks to A.J. Tscherne who played the guitar on the performance tracks.