Children's Charity Ministry presents Christmas Guest
an original musical production by Sueann Jones

Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 29 at 2pm

Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12.

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It’s Christmas, and Conrad, an elderly man, is all alone. The holidays are hard for him, and he dreams that the Lord will visit him on Christmas day.

So begins Christmas Guest, an original musical production based on the poem by Robert Tolstory. It features a little bit of everything: singing, dancing, a full choir, original music written just for the play, and some traditional carols.

"There are many different versions of this poem, some dating as far back as the 1800s," said Jones. "I started working on the script and music eight or nine years ago. Every once in a while I’d think ‘I really need to do something with this.’ This year I decided it was time to take it out of the drawer. It’s a beautiful story and a worthy cause."

Mark Jones plays Conrad, the lonely old man; the old lady is played by Barbara Crawford; Ramy Kodja plays the beggar; and Umani Gibson plays the lost child. Other cast and choir members include Amber Beavers, Dottie Beavers, Candra Conway, Colton Conway, Jordynn Conway, Rick Crawford, Brent Crow, Kate Crow, Amber Day, Grant Day, Lincoln Day, Jimmie France, Breanna Foster, Sherry Hunter, Usheka Jefferson, Caleb Jones, Jackie Jones, Shelby Jones, Sue Jones, Ann Lemley, Vernon Martin, Becky Morse, Bert Ryan, and Tammie Weiland.

All proceeds benefit the Children’s Charity Ministry. Some of the proceeds will be used to throw a Christmas party at the Lyric for needy children.

"Helping others in need is the ultimate Christmas gift," said Jones. "We are grateful to the Ozark Arts Council for allowing us to stage the production at the Lyric Theater for no charge."


About Children’s Charity Ministry
Children’s Charity Ministry was founded by the daughter of Sueann and Mark Jones, Candra Conway, an RN Case Manager with Skaggs Hospital, and Rhonda Deitrich, a substitute teacher with Alpena Schools.

The mission of the organization is for children, ages 4 to 14, to learn compassion and gain awareness of those less fortunate in the community. The charity provides needy children with some basic needs, including shoes, socks, toiletries, and microwaveable meals that be consumed when not in school. The ministry is working with Shirley Smothers with the Harrison School District to learn where help is most needed.

About Sueann and Mark Jones
Mark Jones grew up in the music industry – he’s the son of Grandpa and Ramona Jones of HeeHaw and Grand Ole Opry fame, and also performed on both. For 11 years, he performed with The Grandpa Jones Dinner Theater in Mountain View, and then worked as a street character, actor & musician for Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. He also served as a musician in the nightly drama Shepherd of the Hills. He has performed at venues across the United States, including Carnegie Hall, as well as in Germany and Japan.

Sueann’s, Mark’s wife, is also a musician and dancer. She has performed at The Grandpa Jones Dinner Theater and Silver Dollar City, as well as at the Ozark Folk Center, White River Hoedown, and Lee Mace’s Ozark Opry.