Enjoy Roger Barr’s latest Christmas story here, staged with help from local actors.
St. Paul author Roger Barr continues a 22-year Christmas story tradition with “Lemonade Christmas.” It’s a look at how COVID-19 has affected traditions associated with Barr’s annual holiday story about the fictional Bartholomew family and friends.
Presented here is a staged reading of “Lemonade Christmas” recorded in one take. Joining Barr on screen are actor/director Brian P. Joyce, actress Charla Marie Bailey, writer-playwright Terrence C. Newby and Melvin Carter Jr., father of St. Paul’s mayor and the inspiration for the “Officer Carter” character he reads. The video was recorded and produced by videographer Jeff Achen.
“Lemonade Christmas” is the 23rd Bartholomew Christmas story from author Roger Barr. The stories have examined the meaning of Christmas and how we celebrate it, he says. They have also explored faith, family relationships, death and social issues including racism, poverty, politics, and addiction and recovery. Stories 1-13 were collected in “Getting Ready for Christmas & Other Stories,” which was released in 2011 and has sold out its press run. Stories 11-19 are collected in “The Christmas Promise,” released in 2019. “The Christmas Promise” is available for purchase at www.gettingreadyforchristmas.org. The $25 purchase price is donated to the Hallie Q. Brown food shelf. Direct donations can be made here. Book sales and reading events have raised more than $60,000 for area food shelves.
Leave a Reply