By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Groveport Madison Area Community Choir Director Terri Christensen leads some choir members in song during rehearsal for the group’s Feb. 25 show, “That’s Entertainment: When You Wish Upon a Star – featuring the music of Disney.”
The sanctuary of Groveport Zion Lutheran Church resonates with the blending of voices, energy, and communal spirit during the Groveport Madison Area Community Choir’s rehearsals.
“The choir is a way to bring people together, to enjoy each other’s company, and help local charities in the community,” said Groveport Madison Area Community Choir Director Terri Christensen. “Attendance at our rehearsals has been amazing. Everyone pitches in.”
The 67 member choir is rehearsing for its third annual community show, “That’s Entertainment: When You Wish Upon a Star – featuring the music of Disney,” to be held on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Groveport Madison High School auditorium, 4475 S. Hamilton Road. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids age 12 and under. Everyone must have a ticket no matter the age. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Center for Groveport Madison Human Needs and other local charities.
Christensen said the choir began about 10 years ago in an effort to raise money for local charities.
“We started out doing concerts on the Fourth of July and also performing Giving Thanks concerts,” said Christensen. “In 2015 we started our annual theatrical show with the ongoing theme of ‘That’s Entertainment.’”
She said the group is comprised of people from area churches and surrounding community, as well as from other parts of Central Ohio.
“I never dreamed it could grow into what it has,” said Christensen. “It’s wonderful.”
She said group members are all amateurs and all volunteers.
“We ask people to step up and perform and everyone is willing to try,” said Christensen. “It’s so fulfilling.”
Choir member Beth Cordle, who will portray the character Mother Gothel and sing the song, “Mother Knows Best,” from “Tangled,” (“I’m the villain,” she joked), as well as perform in other parts of the show, said being in the choir is a great experience.
“It allows me to tap into my artistic side and do good for the community by helping to raise money for charity,” said Cordle. “All four members of my family are part of the choir, too. It’s rewarding to see how big the choir has gotten.”
Christensen said people who attended last year’s show witnessed the talents of their fellow community members and were amazed at they saw.
“They saw people they’ve know for years up on stage singing and dancing, things they never knew their friends and neighbors could do,” said Christensen.
Christensen said this year’s show, “That’s Entertainment: When You Wish Upon a Star – featuring the music of Disney,” is a big undertaking.
“The show will feature a lot of Disney music and costumes that people love,” said Christensen. “With Disney you either go big or go home.”
Music selections range from songs from “Snow White” to “Hocus Pocus” to “Frozen” and many other songs from other favorite Disney films in between.
“It’s hard to include as many songs as we would like without making the show too long,” said Christensen, who added the show is expected to last about two hours.
She said the group is funded by sponsorships and contributions from choir members and that paying for the rights to use the music is the group’s biggest expense.
She said this year’s costumes are “phenomenal.”
“We share costumes with other community choirs and theatre groups. We even have some from New York,” said Christensen. “Some people in our group also make costumes, such as taking some old skirts, cutting them in half, and making aprons out of them to be used in our ‘Mary Poppins’ performance.”
She said the “Mary Poppins” finale will be a “real showstopper.”
In addition to the evening show, Christensen said a matinee was added this year. Prior to the matinee, from noon to 12:45 p.m., there will be a “meet and greet” with costumed Disney characters.
“The choir has become so big in just three years and we are thrilled with the help we have been able to offer the Center for Groveport Madison Human Needs and other local charities,” said Christensen.
Christensen expressed thanks to everyone involved in the production and especially to her daughter, Heidi.
“We could not do this without her,” said Christensen. “She’s creative and thrifty and helps so much with brainstorming and bargain shopping for costuming.”
Christensen also thanked premier sponsors local REMAX realtors Gary and Jeannie Henkel for their significant sponsorship and behind the scenes support.
“They’ve been with us from the beginning,” said Christensen.
For information on the Groveport Madison Area Community Choir, visit www.gmcommunitychoir.org or email gmcommunitychoir@gmail.com.
