Southwestern College’s 91st annual production of “Eagerheart” will be presented three times. Performances will be Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church.  Admission is free with a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Winfield Food Pantry. 

According to director Allyson Moon, the tradition of “Eagerheart” from the perspective of the Campus Players, is that “Eagerheart” is their gift to the community and there has never been an admission charge to attend.  And now at a time of great need at the Winfield Food Pantry, Moon hopes the community will give back.

“Eager Heart says to the Holy Family, ‘Enough, enough that you have need and I the hand to give,’ to me, that is what ‘Eagerheart’ is all about,” Moon says.  “So many in our area are in need, those who attend can be the ones to give a non-perishable item.”

This year’s show includes a combination cast consisting of alumni, Campus Players, current students, and students from Winfield High School.

“Eagerheart,” which was written by early 20th century English playwright A.M. Buckton, celebrates the legend that Christ and the Holy Family travel the earth each year, blessing one deserving home where they rest on Christmas Eve.   Eager Heart and sisters Eager Fame and Eager Sense, along with shepherds and kings of Power, Wisdom, and Love, reveal their understanding of Christ and His teachings.  The search for the Holy Family is tested by beggars seeking food and shelter.  The play challenges and inspires audiences to live with charity throughout the year. 

The cast includes:

Meg Calvin playing the role of Prologue/Epilogue. 

Playing the role of Eager Heart will be Jordan Burford.  Arden Mouangdy has been cast as Eager Sense and Alexis Miers as Eager Fame.

The kings will be played by Craig Thompson, King of Power; Terry McGonigle, King of Wisdom; and Liam Cunningham, King of Love. Pat Ross will play the role of the Old Shepherd. Other shepherds will be played by Abegale Denley, R. J. Mader, and John Moberly. 

Alexis Kersten, MaKaylin Kuchar, Savannah Saunders, Breegan Bevan, Austin Fairbanks, Tyler O’Quinn, Emmett Murphy, and Winfield High School Meistersingers and Bel Canto Choirs will play the role of the angels while the Angel of Death will be played by Saherena Williams.

An uncredited but honored woman traditionally plays the role of the beggar woman who later is recognized as one the Holy Family, and infants of the community are cast as the beggars’ child taken in by Eager Heart.   

The technical staff includes:

Allyson Moon, director; Southwestern Singers and musical director and accompanist, Simon Hill; Winfield choir director, MJ Harper; and costume designer, Terry McGonigle.

Winfield High School Bel Canto and Meistersingers Choirs have prepared a prelude for the December 8 performance. Meistersingers Choir will perform “The Candle is a Symbol” by Andy Beck, featuring Elias Moon, Vebi Karalija, and Chris Price, and “We Three Kings” arr. Andy Beck. Seniors Alanah Topper, Kayleigh Weiss, Julie Wedman, Suzie Placey, Haiden Tilley, Isaiah Steele, and Diego Velazquez will perform “O Holy Night” as their senior spotlight. Bel Canto Choir has prepared “Angels' Carol” by John Rutter, “Patapan” by Clare Grundman, and “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” arr. Kevin Phillip Johnson, featuring Aliyah Wilhoite, Jillian Priest, Gabby Fuller, Haiden Tilley, Mariahna Martin, and Allie Clausen. Bel Canto and Meistersingers will combine to perform “The Bells” by Lon Beery under the direction of MJ Harper and collaborative musician Billy Bearden as a finale of the prelude.

For more information, call (620) 229-6328 or email terry.mcgonigle@sckans.edu.