Christmas Show 2023: The First Noel

Travel with us to an enchanted forest filled with holiday dreams and wonder. From woodland magic and Santa’s Elves, to the awe-inspiring “Story of the First Christmas,” The First Noel highlights the whimsy and beauty of the season – gift-wrapped in beloved sacred and secular holiday music.

We are proud to showcase the very best talent from around the globe to bring you this completely original, live musical experience and truly hope you leave the Theatre with a heart filled with Christmas Spirit.

We invite you to join us for the 2023 Christmas Show: The First Noel, live on stage November 7 through December 30.

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Click here to reserve your 2023 Christmas Show seats.

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Thank You Cast and Crew

Creating a show of this magnitude involves long hours and hard work from a large team of people. We are so proud to employ an amazing team of professionals who are dedicated to production of our annual Christmas Show. Thank you to the entire team for all that you do every day to bring it all together!

The Cast

Sarah Chance Assistant Show Captain/Dancer Sarah is thrilled to be back at AMT for her sixth Original Show as Assistant Show Captain, Production Assistant, and Dancer.  She has been training for 16 years and is grateful for the opportunity to entertain live audiences every day.  Sarah hopes you enjoy the magic of Christmas at AMT.  Many thanks to Andrea McCormick, family, and friends!  IG: @sarahchancee	Cassidy Colmary Show Captain/Dancer Cassidy couldn’t be more ecstatic to be back on the AMT stage!  Returning as a Performer, Production Assistant and Show Captain!  She is so happy to be spending her Christmas season, spreading cheer, with all of you!  Special thanks to Andrea, her husband, Clay, and all of her family and friends!  Happy Holidays!  #dldp  #kmb  IG: @cassidy_colmary	Kolby Colmary Dancer Kolby could not be more excited to be back on stage with his AMT family, as well as his big sister, Cassidy.  From being in the youth cast, to teen, he is super proud to be making a full circle and returning as a professional dancer.  Kolby is ready to share his Christmas spirit with you and wishes you all the best.  IG: @Kolbycolmary	Mica Dominguez-Robinson Singer BM from the University of Denver and MM from NYU.  Credits: Silversea Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines in the Denali National Park in Alaska, The International Tour of The Wizard of Oz, Cirque Dreams Holidaze National Tour, American Music Theatre, variety shows, musicals and operas all over the country including Asolo Repertory Theater, Central City Opera, Dublin Worldwide Productions, and the Boulder Symphony Orchestra.  Backup singer for Josh Groban and Shoshana Bean.  Grateful to be sharing the stage with my love, James Francis.  IG: @MicaDRobinson  www.micadominguez-robinson.com
Savannah Enoch Dancer Savannah Enoch is elated to be making her American Music Theatre debut. She graduated from Theater Arts Preparatory School (Las Vegas, NV) with a focus in dance. She has worked for Holland America Line, Hershey Park, appeared in many films, and much more! Savannah extends endless thanks to Andrea and the incredible team at AMT.  IG: @savannahgrace_8	Logan Flanagan Dancer Swing Logan is a rising senior at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts located in West Chester, PA and plans to attend college next fall to pursue a BFA in Dance, specializing in commercial jazz. This is Logan’s second season joining the AMT family for the holidays and he can’t wait to share the stage with this amazing cast and crew. Logan wishes you all a holiday season filled with friendship, laughter, and most of all, love. God Bless!	James Francis Singer International Tours: The Wizard of Oz (Lion), Working My Way Back to You Western Canada Tour. National Tours: Cirque Dreams Holidaze, The Wizard of Oz (U/S Lion), December 63 (TAD Management). Regional: State Fair (The REV Theatre Co.), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Pharaoh/Arvada Center), Jesus Christ Superstar (Arvada Center), Jekyll and Hyde (Aurora Fox PAC).  Other Favorites: Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince), Silversea Cruises, Denali Princess Resort.  IG: @jamesfrancismusic	Sarah Rose Hackshaw Singer/Dancer Sarah is thrilled to be making her AMT debut! Her career has taken her all over the world, from Main Street USA, to Hawai’i, Hong Kong, all through the Caribbean, and even to the White House to perform for Former First Lady Michelle Obama!  Sarah is a proud former Denver Broncos Cheerleader and Ohio State Alumna – “Go Broncos and Go Bucks!”  IG: @ SarahRoseHackshaw
Ellen Jenders Singer Ellen is absolutely thrilled to be spending this holiday season with AMT!  A midwest native, you may recognize Ellen from her time onstage at Sight & Sound Theatres.  Select credits include RENT (Maureen), The Addams Family (Morticia), Elf (Jovie), and Kiss Me, Kate (Lilli Vanessi/Katharine).  She was also a finalist in “So You Think You Can Belt”, a singing competition based in NYC.  Love to Mom, Dad, and Mike.  YouTube: Ellen Jenders  IG: @jellenenders	Andy Kastrati Show Captain/Dancer Andy is very excited to start his fourth season with American Music Theatre as Co-Show Captain! He is an Albanian from Chicago, Illinois and trained at TAPS in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Most recently, Andy performed backup for Kanye West and was selected as dance captain!  IG and TikTok: @andykastrati	Carly Paige Lafferty Singer Swing Carly is thrilled to be making her AMT debut alongside her favorite person, Nik!  She’s grown up watching the AMT Christmas shows, so this is a dream come true.  Some past credits include Man of La Mancha (Antonia) The Fulton Theatre; Jekyll & Hyde in Concert (Emma/us) Gretna Theatre; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Cynthia Weil) Keystone Theatrics; The Mad Ones (Samantha Brown) Open Stage of Harrisburg.  Special thanks to Wendi and Haley, Mom, Dad, Nik, and the rest of her family and friends for the love and support.	Albert Linsdell Singer Albert, originally from England, trained in London at the prestigious Arts Educational School London, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre.  Since then, he has performed in various musicals, pantomimes, and onboard cruise ships with Cunard and P&O.  Albert is very excited to perform his first show on American soil with AMT this Christmas!
Morgan Linsdell Dancer Swing Morgan grew up in York, PA where she started dancing at the age of three.  Morgan continued her dance studies at Point Park University, graduating with a Fine Art degree in Jazz Dance.  Since University she has worked as a professional dancer aboard Cunard and MSC cruise ships.  Morgan is excited to join the cast at AMT for the Christmas season!	Brad Myer Singer Swing Brad is thrilled to make his AMT debut!  Regional and local credits include shows at Fulton Theatre, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Servant Stage, Sight & Sound Theatres, and more.  Thanks to Andrea and the rest of the AMT team for this opportunity and to his family and friends for their constant support!  John 16:33  IG: @brad.myer	Nik Olsen Singer Nik is overjoyed to be back at AMT!  Most recently, he was a Principal Vocalist for Silversea Cruises.  Regionally, Nik has enjoyed performing at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Sight & Sound Theatres, and Fulton Theatre.  Endless thanks to Andrea and the team at AMT for this unbelievable opportunity!  All my love to my family and Carly.  For Steve Doud.	Sydney Phipps Singer Sydney is so excited to make her debut on the American Music Theatre stage!  Hailing from Baltimore, MD, she has worked internationally since 2018.  Most recent credits include Featured Vocalist aboard Royal Caribbean International, the Sandals Resort Turks & Caicos and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, all while operating her small business bringing characters to children’s birthday parties and public events. Sydney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.  She is so grateful for her family’s unwavering support and love in all her endeavors.  IG: @itssydneyphipps
Aaron Pottenger Singer Aaron is ecstatic to make his AMT debut!  He has performed on stages across the country, especially in Lancaster County, such as Fulton Theatre, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, and Sight & Sound Theatres.  Special thanks to Andrea, Matthew, and the team for this wonderful opportunity. Attributing his success to God, his family, and close friends.  IG: @ImAaronPottenger	Justin White Dancer Justin was born and raised in San Diego, CA.  He has performed with the Walt Disney Company, Debbie Allen, and various cruise lines throughout his professional career.  This is Justin’s first time with AMT and he is very excited to be a part of the team!  IG: @justin_dancer_white	Kathryn Williams Singer Kathryn is thrilled for her first production at AMT!  She has spent the past few years entertaining audiences around the world aboard Celebrity, HAL, NCL, and Regent Cruise Lines, as well as locally at Fulton Theatre and Strasburg Railroad.  Kathryn has her BA in Musical Theatre and Acting from Liberty University.  So much love to her husband, Paul, for his endless love and support and to God for sparking in her a love to create beautiful things!  IG: @kathrynmwilliamz  www.kathryn-williams.com

The Orchestra

Orchestra Biographies

The music in our Original Christmas Shows is prepared and presented live by nine very talented musicians. We are excited to showcase their gifts! The Orchestra musicians are:

Jaren Angud – Drums/Percussion

Jaren is pleased to return for AMT’s 2023 Christmas Show.  He has made a professional career as a commercial and pit musician.  His touring credits include the international tour of Beauty and the Beast, Flashdance the Musical, and more.  Jaren received his MM at Penn State University, and his BA in Music at Rowan University.

Yang Han – Guitars

Yang was born and raised in Nanjing, China, and moved to the United States in 2015.  He holds a BA in Pop Music Composition and Production from Nanjing University of the Arts.  From the studio to the stage, from classical to pop, Yang has been playing guitar since the early age of six. The First Noel is Yang’s third Christmas show at American Music Theatre, and he is ready to bring the music to the audience! 

Marshall Lentz – Keys2/Keys1 U/S

Marshall is thrilled to return to the AMT Orchestra as a classically trained pianist, composer, producer, and actor.  He has played piano professionally since age 15 and has performed in pit orchestras and bands across PA.  Much of Marshall’s previous work has been at the Media Theatre in Media, PA, where he has played keys for such Broadway classics as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Newsies, and Saturday Night Fever.  He recently composed original orchestral soundtracks for local productions of A Christmas Carol and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Dominic Mascaro – Trombone/Horns

Dominic is a trombonist from Spring Grove, PA, trying to make a name for himself in central PA, as well as Philadelphia.  After graduating from Millersville University, he joined several bands, namely Big Boy Brass and Funktion, and is a partner and co-leader of his newest project, Street Beans.  Dominic is taking a brief hiatus from his usual projects, hoping to provide a solid trombone sound to the ensemble, as well as learn from the other performers to make every show great.

Andy Roberts – Music Director/Conductor

There’s nothing quite like helping to build something, then watching (and hearing) it come together into a cohesive and professional production.  This has been Andy’s experience while music directing and playing piano for AMT over the years.  Andy is from Mount Gretna, PA, and has been associated with the Central PA music scene for many years as a pianist, keyboardist, and music director. 

David Shultz – Woodwinds

So happy to be part of AMT’s The First Noel!  David’s playing credits include Kristin Chenoweth, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis.  Touring shows: Beautiful!, Grease, Spamalot, and many more.  Dave is proud to be working with the outstanding creative team, talented performers, technical staff, and crew assembled here at AMT, bringing you this live theater performance experience.  We hope you enjoy the show!

Michael Vitale – Bass

Mike holds an MM from Duquesne University and a BA from Millersville University.  He has extensive regional and national tour experience and has played overseas with RCCL.  Mike is on the music department faculty of Millersville University.  He enjoys staying busy as a freelance musician in many different genres and is a private double bass/electric bass instructor.  He also loves traveling and exploring the outdoors, be it the woods or beach.  Mike feels very happy and blessed to be back for another run with all the talented people at AMT!

Scott Whitford – Trumpet/Horns 

Hailing from Chicago, Scott is in high demand as a touring musician, sideman, and clinician throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.  Scott is a featured soloist and lead trumpet on In The Mood: A 1940s Big Band Revue, national and international tours, and has performed with numerous musical acts and productions including Chicago, The Producers, Legally Blonde: The Musical, The Global Jazz Orchestra in Osaka, Japan, The Rat Pack, Reunited,and many others. Scott wishes to thank his beautiful wife, Heather, for her continuous love and support.

Stefan Xhori – Violin

Stefan was born in Albania.  He graduated from the Academy of Music in Tirana, Albania in 1990, as a violinist.  He moved to US in 1993 and has been living in and around Philadelphia since, and resides in Springfield, PA  Stefan is a violin teacher and a freelance musician, performing with Delaware, Reading, Allentown, and Kennett Symphony Orchestras, Opera Delaware, Philly Pops, and Philadelphia Ballet, and has been a soloist with Dover Symphony and Allentown Band.  He has also performed as the featured violinists in American Music Theatre’s 2022 Christmas Show: Home for the Holidays. 

Youth Cast

Our Youth Cast is divided into two teams who alternate performances. Their enthusiasm and youthful energy helps to bring the Show to life on the AMT stage. This year, our teams are The Squirrels and The Rabbits and we are so proud that have them all as part of our cast!

Squirrels Team: Sammie Wiegner, Arabelle Petersheim, Eliza Kline, Braedyn Jones, Elle Herson, Lilah Petersheim, Mychaela Rosario, Cella Berardi, Annie Cyr, Rebecca Blevins, Alex Van Grouw.

Rabbits Team: Madisyn Hayward, Esme Peterheim, Mateah Bylone, Logan Flanagan, Piper Sobon, Shaelyn Kienzle, Gabby Melo, Caroline Weber, Olivia Weber, Maria Siegrist, Elizabeth Wagner.

The Song List

ACT I (50 mins*) The First Noel/Mary Mary Ding Dong Merrily on High Jingle Bells Holly Jolly Christmas Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart What Child is This Here Comes Santa Claus / Santa Claus is Coming to Town Mary, Did You Know? AMT Orchestra Feature White Winter Hymnal Carol of the Bells Little Drummer Boy I Believe in Father Christmas INTERMISSION (15 mins)

ACT II (50 mins*) We Are Santa’s Elves Papa Oom Mow Mow Santa’s Letters They’ve Stopped Believin’ Nutcracker Medley Jingle Bells Wexford Carol Coventry Carol O Danny Boy / Medley The Story of the First Christmas The First Noel Christ is Born AMT Orchestra Feature O Holy Night *Show times are approximate and may vary slightly.