The Plowshare Shepherds’ Play, a staple of the Union Congregational Church’s Christmas traditions for 19 years, made its return to in-person shows Tuesday after COVID-19 shut down the performance last year.
“There’s something special about getting to do it again,” said Kimberly Dorn, director of the play and of Plowshare Farm in Greenfield, who puts the play on. Last year, the play could not be put on for the first time in 18 years due to COVID-19, although they did a livestream last year for audiences at home.
Plowshare Farm describes itself as a “lifesharing community where people with diverse capabilities and challenges find purpose and meaning.” A majority of the actors in the play have developmental disabilities.
The play began out of evening dinners hosted by the Union Congregational Church at which some Plowshare regulars would attend. The church invited them to perform the play there one year, and it became an annual tradition.
Put on this year in an auditorium in the back of the church, the play is an abridged version of the Oberufer “Shepherds’ Play,” a medieval mystery play centered on shepherds who come together and leave their flocks to follow a star that leads them to the Nativity scene. The story is told in rhyme and with musical accompaniment that at times has the audience singing along.
“It’s that tale of hope and innocence and warmth, created amongst us in our imperfect lives,” said Dorn. “I think it’s that genuineness that makes it really come home for the community.”
Dorn said that many times, people have come up to talk to her and express their appreciation for the play.
“Almost every year, someone approaches me in town and tells me how the play marks the Christmas or holiday season for them,” she said.
This year, the show was held with a reduced audience to allow for distancing, as well as a reduced cast to exclude extras. The first show was for medically vulnerable audience members, with a group of 25 attendees, and the second and final show had an audience limit of 50 in a space that can seat up to 120.
Dorn said the limited seating was less than ideal, but they wanted to stay as safe as possible.
“I hope that we can really bring it back and do a live thing next year,” Dorn said. “I think the magic of this play is that people walk away feeling good and warm.”