‘Two from Galilee' draws from dozens of churches

SPARTA, N.J. — Four years ago, Tom Hallett wanted to organize an Easter musical production at the Glenwood Baptist Church in Vernon. Since it’s a relatively small parish, Hallett decided to extend the auditions to Christian worshippers at a mix of Vernon-area churches. The success of that program led to the launch of “Two From Galilee,” a Broadway-style musical about the nativity story that’s now in its third year of production. Nearly three dozen Sussex County residents make up the 68-person ensemble. Other cast members hail from Orange and Warren counties, along with a handful from Pennsylvania. A total of 35 churches are represented in the production, said Hallett. Previously, “there really wasn’t an outlet to do a full-scale production locally,” said Hallett, a former professional actor who appeared in national tours of “Oklahoma!,” “The Full Monty,” “Titanic” and “The Music Man” from 2001 to 2004. Hallett, who is now a history and drama teacher at Veritas Christian Academy in Sparta, developed a groundswell of support for “Two From Galilee” after he sent information packets about the production to 280 churches in Sussex and Orange counties three years ago. “I even went door-to-door to churches in Newburgh,” he said. The group, which is presenting nine performance of the musical beginning with a dinner theater on Dec. 13 at Veritas Christian Academy, auditioned roughly 100 professional actors in New York in early October to play the principal roles, including Mary, Joseph, Gabriel and the Three Wise Men, said Hallett. The supporting cast is filled by local amateur actors, such as Highland Lakes’ John Miranda, who portrays a Jewish bread peddler. Miranda met Hallett four years ago when the two were members of the Vernon Choral Society. They subsequently appeared in a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” before hooking up for “Two From Galilee.” The appeal for Miranda “is the camaraderie and the Christian fellowship,” he said. He also enjoys being part of a production that might inspire audience members to become more active churchgoers. “It’s also a great way for people who attend smaller churches to become involved in full-scale theatrical productions,” Hallett said. To learn more about the production, performance information or to order tickets online, visit www.twofromgalilee.com/Site/Welcome.html.