The El Dorado Children's Choir will present a holiday play tonight and tomorrow called "Miracles on Main Street" on the Union County Courthouse steps.
"They used to do it on the Square years ago, and Wilson [Borosvskis] directed it then too, so its kind of a come-back thing, bringing something back from the past," said Bro. David Bush, pastor at First United Methodist Church, which sponsored the program. "Kind of like the blue Christmas tree [at the old TV station], bringing something back."
Made up of a diverse mix of children in grades one through six from around Union County, the choir includes about 50 children altogether, and about 40 will be performing tonight and Saturday.
Wilson Borosvskis, choir director, said he previously directed productions of "Miracles on Main Street" in 2006 and 2007. The show's story centers around a group of children who want to put on a Christmas pageant on Main Street so their whole town can see it; but, it's an election year, and the city's mayor is worried a public holiday performance could hurt his chances, so he refuses to greenlight the production.
"So they decide to take a different approach; they go to their homes, they call people and ask people to talk to their mayor to support their program. Some say yes and some say no, but finally one visits a home and it's the daughter of the mayor," Borosvskis said. "She talks to the mayor and even though he said he might lose some votes because it's the year of an election … he decides to let them do it on Main Street."
Borosvskis said he directed the musical elements of the production, and worked with Rob Bosanko, who directed the dramatic elements. Most of the songs the choir will sing were written for this musical, Borosvskis said.
The children's choir was first formed about a year ago. After Saturday's performance, they will take a break until the start of the new year, at which time they will begin work on a patriotic program, Borosvskis said. Registration forms for the Children's Choir are available at the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado.
On Friday, the students will gather on the east side of the Union County Courthouse, facing Jefferson Street, to perform. Both performances will be held at 7 p.m. on the courthouse steps.
"It's good for all ages, because in the program, there are some lines that are very, very touching for kids, for adults, for young families. It's a good thing," Borosvskis said. "Inter-generational and it's a clean, free show for the people in the community."
First United Methodist Church will provide hot chocolate free of charge. "Miracles on Main Street" will be performed tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m.; there is no charge to attend. The performance will last about one hour, Borosvskis said.