http://www.thelivingnativity.org/
It was an historic year as Sunday marked the 250th performance of the 14th annual “Follow the Star, Living Nativity” pageant. Follow the Star is a community Christmas pageant held in Rancho Santa Margarita California, sponsored by the Santa Margarita stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The performance is a living recreation of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible. Live actors, a professional set and even live animals bring the audience back to that “little town of Bethlehem.”
Sunday’s performance also marked the 250th performance for two actors, “Joseph”, Rick Denos of Mission Viejo and “wise man”, Bill Suman of Rancho Santa Margarita. The majority of the other actors are different for every performance. The cast includes Mary, Joseph, a Roman soldier, shepherds, the innkeeper, wise men and even a real newborn baby. Matt and Stephanie Osborne from Portola Hills were excited that their new baby Ethan would be the baby Jesus for a few shows on Saturday. Matt said, “It turned out that we were a little more excited about it than he was.” Sarah Paul, one of the teens that played Mary on Saturday, held baby Ethan during the Saturday pageant. Sarah said, “I really had a tough time holding him because he was squirming, but at the very last moment of the manger scene he was serene and calm.”
The authentic set was lovingly created 14 years ago by Tim Mueller’s team at Gothic Moon Productions, based in Orange, California. Gothic Moon Productions creates sets for the likes of South Coast Plaza, Crystal Cathedral and Universal Studios.
The animal cast includes a large sheep named Spaz, two horses named Precious and Baski, and Madison the donkey. The animal handlers are all from the Mauss family who own a ranch in San Juan Capistrano. Hollie Mauss explained, “There is really only one horse in the show at a time, but horses need a friend to feel calm so we bring them both. My big sister, MacKenzie, is in charge of Spaz the sheep. If MacKenzie is not on the set, Spaz, won’t turn the right way. It has to be her.“
After fourteen years and 250 shows, “Follow the Star” becomes a tradition for many local families. The Feist family has had their entire family participate every night of the three-day run for years. About ten years ago the pageant added an innkeeper and a Roman soldier to the show. Reed Feist, Foothill Ranch father of six, plays the innkeeper every show and his growing family have played children, shepherds, Mary and even baby Jesus. Reed says, “Every year, ‘Follow the Star’ is how our family starts the true spirit of Christmas.”
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More Information
Follow the Star: A Living Nativity
http://www.thelivingnativity.org/
History of the Beginning of Follow the Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AIkRQh_mmLg
Mormons Believe That Jesus Christ is the Savior and the Son of God
http://www.mormon.org/jesus-christ/
