PARIS — Scores of performers and crew are readying for this year’s Christmas for Teens’ musical show to raise funds for needy Oxford Hills teens.

“It is a truly spectacular show with beautiful music in a picturesque setting,” producer Cynthia Wescott said.

About 80 performers, including a 40-member, all-volunteer community chorus, are rehearsing for the show, which will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, in the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School auditorium in Paris.

In case of inclement weather it will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Tickets are available at Books N Things on Main Street in Norway, the Valhalla Store in Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and at the door on the night of the performance.

The show — the largest fundraiser of the year — has garnered $40,700 to help 2,563 teens in eight Oxford Hills towns since it began in 2000, Jean Delamater, a coordinator for Christmas for Teens, said.

“It’s too bad we have to be doing things like this, but people (benefit volunteers) are there for the right reasons,” Wescott said. Hundreds of people have volunteered their time and talent to produce the show.

Wescott said one of her adult volunteers told her she was helping because she had been one of those thousands of teens in need who were helped one Christmas.

Wescott calls this year’s production a “talent spectacular.”

There are dancers and singers, solo and duet performers, storytellers and a 40-voice chorus. There’s are, among other offerings, The Christmas Story, a narrator, a string quartet, the March of the Kings and a Christmas on Broadway production, Wescott said.

The high school drama club, a student doing her senior class project, professionals and amateur actors, a “wonderful” student crew behind the scenes and accompanying pianist, Virginia Noble, all contribute to the success of the show.

“We couldn’t do the show without her,” Wescott said of Noble.

The Chamber Choir will be directed by Dennis Boyd of the Oxford Hills School District Music Department. There will be a mother/daughter ukulele duo featuring  Jen St. Pierre and Chyanna. Britt Anderson and Jake Dole will do a vocal duet and Tom Curtis with his bass voice will sing the Christmas Waltz, Wescott said.

There will be solos by Patricia Howe, Sydney Bivens and Christie Paul. The stage and production crew is headed by Christian Ricci.

Wescott said the Christmas characters appear in the second half of the show with storyteller Kristen Kimball explaining the events of that night to Sara Frutos, who is taking notes as part of the “Note-A-Friends,” who set the Bethlehem scene with a compelling Christmas folk song.

“Our wonderful singing Christmas angel who will appear to hover above our heads is Brehna Jenkins,” she said.

Wescott said she is pleased the ticket price has remained stable the past few years – $10 for adults and $7 for students.

Delamater said Christmas for Teens is supported by businesses, individuals, churches, civic groups, military groups and others. Applications are filled out by a parent or guardian.

In the case of a homeless teen, a responsible adult such as a guidance counselor or teacher often makes the referral, she said.

Delamater said all applicants must meet economic guidelines, and be a full-time student at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Oxford Hills Technical School or Oxford Hills Middle School.

Requests by teens include bedding, clothing, gift certificates for food, music, games, sports items, personal care items and books.

The program started with 60 teens in 2000 and has peaked at 228. Last year, 176 teens were served.

“We never know how many to expect. Applications are already coming in and with the present economy in the area, we expect to be very busy this year,” Delamater said.

The deadline for applications is Thursday, Dec. 3.

Applications for Christmas for Teens are available at Community Concepts Inc. in Paris and at the Guidance Departments of the middle school and high school.

For further information, contact Jean Delamater at 539-4587 or send donations and applications to Christmas for Teens, care of  Rightstart Inc., P.O. Box 726, Norway, ME 04268

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