Tackling Handel’s ‘Messiah’ for the 2016 Christmas program came with a lot of work, but First Baptist Church of Marble Falls’ worship pastor Dorey Stubblefield says the message of the program comes straight out of the scriptures. The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners selected it as the Locals Love Us Best Theater Production for the Marble Falls area. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
MARBLE FALLS — When First Baptist Church worship pastor Dorey Stubblefield considered producing George Frideric Handel’s classic oratorio “Handel” for the church’s 2016 Christmas program, he knew what he was getting into.
Handel composed the piece in 1741 from text straight from the scripture. He also created a work that spanned almost three hours.
Stubblefield knew going in that some people might not be too enthusiastic about a classical piece, especially one that lasted that long.
“We wanted to give people who hadn’t had the opportunity to experience Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to do that, but we wanted to present it in a way that would, maybe, get them to come and see it,” Stubblefield said. “That’s why we did all the different elements.”
They also cut some of the production to keep it a comfortable length for audiences.
All the effort paid off because The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners voted the church’s Handel’s “Messiah” Best Theater Production in the Marble Falls area in the Locals Love Us contest.
“Wow,” Stubblefield said after receiving the award. “That’s amazing. Just thank you to the community.
“It’s one thing to put something on and ask people to give up their time to come and see it, but this, they had to go and vote. … That means so much to me.”
The church began working on the music for “Messiah” in July 2016. Though the Baroque-era oratorio is just shy of 275 years old (it was first produced April 13, 1742, in Dublin), the message still resonates.
Stubblefield said that’s because of where Handel found the story.
“Why is ‘Messiah’ still performed and still matters? Probably the same reason the Bible (still matters) today,” he said. “(Messiah) is straight out of the scriptures. It’s inspired by God through Handel.”
As for the 2017 Christmas production, Stubblefield is picking something not so classical and not quite as heavy.
“This year, I think we’re going with ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’” he said.
The production is based on Barbara Robinson’s novel of the same name.
daniel@thepicayune.com
