As a Witness, a Christmas pageant for the 21st century, will be performed at the Old Whaling Church on Sunday, Dec. 19 and Monday, Dec. 20. Although the nativity story is familiar to everyone now, in the moment it was a time of extreme confusion for those involved. The shepherds and Magi were faced with extraordinary questions about the sudden appearance of angels and what gift to get a child king born in a stable.

This play reveals this turbulence by pulling planted audience members into the play to influence events.

The cast features a wide variety of ages from preteens to retirees and members of at least three different churches. Luke McCracken will perform as an audience member who is forced to become a Magi’s page. Richard Rego is King Herod, Kathryn Antonsson the Virgin Mary and Pam Rego a mother whose child is killed by King Herod. The angels were created by Alison Taylor and Anna-Liza Villard Howe.

The production is written and directed by E. St. John Villard and narrated by Barbara and Bo Fehl. The music will be provided by guitarist Michael Haydn and organists Ed Rose and Phil Dietterich along with a cast of trumpets and recorders.

Sunday’s performances is at 6 p.m. The Monday performance follows the regular community supper offered by the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard in the Baylies room at the Whaling Church which begins at 5 p.m.

For more information, call 508-627-8619.