Plant City's 'Christmas by Candlelight' To Feature 150 Singers, Musicians

Promising to "re-tell the Christmas story in a way that Plant City has never heard it," the Plant City Community Choir is planning to put 150 singers and musicians on stage Dec. 8 for its reportedly largest-ever "Christmas by Candlelight" production.

Likewise, the group is expecting such a large crowd at its venue, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City, that it is staging two shows this year instead of one.

According to the choir's Facebook announcement:

• The 6 p.m. show will be narrated by Scott Lingle, associate pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Singing in the "Voices of Light" octet will be Melody Brown, Jessica Jacobs, Jo-An Lusk, April Davis, Matt Nestor, Andy Tekampe and Ed Keiser

• The 8 p.m. show will be narrated by Plant City Commissioner Bill Dodson. Singing in the "Voices of Light" octet will be Dianne Sillman, Paula Spangler-Klein, Jenise Freeland, Kristen Holloway, Lamar Galloway, Robert Tait, Antonio Young and Manuel Castillo.

This  year's conductors:

• Peter A. Belk, associate director of bands at the University of South Florida

• Joseph Mendolia, artistic director of the Plant City Community Choir

Tickets can be purchased online. Or call: 813-444-TUNE. This year, two types of tickets are available:

• General Admission — $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Children age 12 and under $5.

• VIP Admission — $20, includes concert ticket, VIP parking, VIP seating and reception meet-and-greet with conductor, narrator and "Voice of Light" octet.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Plant City is at 1107 Charlie Griffin Road. The Plant City Community Choir rehearses Monday nights, 7 to 9:30, in the chorus room at Plant City High School, 1 Raider Place.