Authenticity is key for those managing and participating in Wesley United Methodist Church’s production of Journey to Bethlehem.

During a final run through on Wednesday, the cast was reminded of the necessity of bringing the performance to life for the audience by not breaking the immersion with any anachronisms such as cellphones, Styrofoam cups or sneakers.

“We, actually, let up a little bit about the footwear,” play director Patsy Wagner said. “We used to want people to wear sandals, but the last two years have been so darn cold we let them wear dark boots and things like that.”

Wagner said she doesn’t want things people have on set to distract from the story they are trying to tell.”

Wagner said her goal is to show Christianity, not only through the play, but also in the way the cast interacts with the community and each other.

“We try to act in a way that fits the story that we are telling,” she said. “We try to get out there and do what we need to do in spite of the fact that they are tired and their feet are wet and cold. They’re doing it because they know it’s a good story to tell, and we want to tell it in the best possible way.”

The possibility of telling someone the story of the birth of Jesus Christ for the first time brings Wagner joy, she said.

“Believe it or not, there are people who have never heard that story,” she said. “Hopefully we can do that for the glory and the love of God.”

Last year, actors and actresses had to work around snow that had fallen earlier that day. This year, the forecast predicts heavy rain on Friday and Saturday.

Costume coordinator and townsperson Cindy Dupre said she has been with the play since its inception around 20 years ago.

“It gets better every year,” she said. “For us to be able to bring the story to people just makes me happy. I can’t put into words what this story means to me.”

The play might be the main attraction, but there is more to do after the figurative curtains close.

“There is a market and animals,” Wagner said. “Last year, we started doing a prayer garden behind the church. There are people there to assist people if they would like someone to pray with them. It can be an opportunity to spend a little time meditating or in solitude.”

Wagner said she wanted to emphasize that there is no cost.

“We do this because we love Christ and we want to share the story,” she said.

Times

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 6:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.