Review: Madrigal Dinner

This holiday season, I was invited to the Madrigal Dinner at Calvary Bible College. My two oldest girls (ages 9 and 7) attended the event with me and we enjoyed a special step back in time to celebrate Christmas.

The King’s banquet festivities will commence on the wintry days of December 12 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. (three-course meal) and on December 14 at 3:00 p.m. (hors d’oeuvres and dessert). Royal documents of admission will be granted for the fare of $24 for those of mature stature (adults), and $18 for those wise and aged or young and studious (seniors/students), for December 12 and 13. All tickets are $18 on December 14. All performances are at Liberty Chapel, 15790 Elmwood, Kansas City, Missouri. For more information and reservations see http://www.calvary.edu/bible-college/fine-arts/music/madrigal-dinners/.

Madrigal Dinners are set in the sixteenth century, with the performers in period attire, a period meal served, and the setting decorated to represent the royal court. 

As each guest (member of the audience) arrives, they are introduced as Lord, Lady, or Dame and then seated at their royal table. We enjoyed music playing before the show and homemade bread, fresh grapes, and cheese. Once all the guests arrive the show begins.

The Royal Court parades through the audience singing as they journey to their seats at the King's table. We are introduced to the King's Jester (played by Lawrence Martin), the "master of ceremonies," and his nemesis, Death. The King (played by Zach Burnham) is very impatient throughout the show and agitates the Jester more than once - the comedy between the two is a highlight of the show. The Jester leads the audience through the evening's meal and performances with a story in rhyme. Listen closely, much of the dialogue is in 16th century English. The most fun came when the Jester toasted members of the audience before the meal.

This year's performance told the tale, "The Summoning of Everyman," an 11th century morality play. Death (portrayed as the Grim Reaper) is coming for Everyman (portrayed by the Jester). The Jester must account for his life before God, but his good deeds are inadequate, his riches are rot, his friends and family abandon him, is there hope? It is then that Wisdom shares the good news of Jesus and that He will stand with us eternally. The message of the play is one of redemption and the Good News of the Gospel.

The show is performed in acts with the meal served between songs (each aspect of the meal introduced through poem or song). The meal included wassail, salad, chicken, roasted potatoes, carrots, and bread pudding and it was all delicious.

The eleven singers, the Royal players (Queen Kristin McGuire, Ladies Kate Bergman, Bethany Franklin, Bobbie Jackson, Hannah Smith, Laura VanderWoude, Lori Weigel, and Emily Wiebe, and Lords Joshua Fross, Nathan Schad, Christoper Stolberg, and Joshua Stolberg), did a wonderful job for both a capella and accompanied songs. Many of the performers sang solos throughout the show and others danced for the audience. The variety of instrumental solos, singing performances, dances, and spoken parts kept the show flowing and engaging. Some of the songs were from the period, others were traditional hymns and carols and for the finale the audience joins in a rendition of "Silent Night."

The entire evening is a unique and festive way to celebrate the holiday with families. The musical performances were outstanding, the meal was terrific, and the setting was a fun way to step back in time and celebrate the holidays and the redemption story. The show is best enjoyed by older children, teens, and adults. Tickets are still available for upcoming shows. For more information and reservations see http://www.calvary.edu/bible-college/fine-arts/music/madrigal-dinners/.