Play features live animals, 400-member cast

The Christmas pageant has become an annual holiday tradition in Lake Zurich.

This year, the spectacular will be extended a second weekend to give more people a chance to see this look at the Christmas story.

Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, 60 Quentin Road, Lake Zurich, will present its Christmas pageant at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and then 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16.

All performances sold out last year, so a second weekend was added.

This year's pageant is titled "The Light," inspired by part of the Christmas carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," said director Linda Scudder.

About 400 performers tell the Christmas story through the pageant, including the 200-member Victory in Grace choir. Performers range from 3 years old to adults.

"When you see a child perform and see happiness in his face and see wonder, it warms your heart and brings you to the season," Scudder said.

For Julie Dearyan of Wauconda, joining the pageant is a family affair. Dearyan narrates the story and sings in the choir along with her children, 10-year-old Amanda and 12-year-old James.

"This has fostered family traditions in addition to the ones you typically have at Christmas time," she said.

Dearyan said the pageant brings her family out of the materialistic culture that can be associated with Christmas. They instead focus on what is important, and that is family and God.

Also taking the stage each year and often receiving applause from the audience are a variety of live animals.

Scudder attributes the animals to her husband, the Rev. James Scudder, who one day said it would be great to see a king come onto the stage on a camel. So they tried it.

"It is so fabulous. The kids love it. Everyone applauds when he comes in," she said.

Selling about 20,000 tickets each year, the annual production has become a way to help the community through charitable causes.

Proceeds go to community outreach programs in Ela Township, prison, homeless and veteran support in Lake and Cook counties and the annual Lake and McHenry Foster Children's Christmas Party fund.

If you go

What: "The Light"

Where: Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, 60 Quentin Road, Lake Zurich

When: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16

Tickets: $5 by calling (847) 438-4484 or online at www.qrbbc.org

Additional information: Reserved handicapped seating, free child care, deaf signing and Spanish translation are available at all performances.