The voices of some very bad singing greeted visitors to the youth room at Crossroads Church in Albert Lea on Wednesday night.

“That’s not really how they sound,” said Curtis Smith of Albert Lea. “It’s all part of the script.”

The Crossroads Church youth group was gearing up for the holiday play “Christmas Choir,” which it will perform this Friday through Sunday, Dec. 17-19.

Fortunately, Smith was not having nearly the problems directing his 12-member youth group in this performance as the choir director in the story line.

In this 45-minute Christmas comedy, a volunteer choir director struggles with lack of talent, rehearsals and members who simply are not sincere in their motives to perform in the holiday choir. Dede is trying to drum up votes for the next city council election, Laraine just wants to get out of her house and away from her large family and George is always trying to sell insurance while Phoebe is trying to catch the eye of the choir director, whom she simply adores. It takes the faith of a young preacher to help the choir find harmony and the true meaning of Christmas.

“The neat part is that throughout the play, members of the crowd will be able to identify with someone in the play,” Smith said.

Smith was busy working with cast members all last week in preparation for the church’s annual holiday performance. This is the 10th holiday performance hosted by Crossroads Church, which is open to the community and known for packing the 400-seat auditorium to capacity.

This year, however, instead of an all-ages cast as in the past, all of the actors and actresses are local high schoolers.

“It’s really fun to work with the kids,” said Smith. “They have so much energy.”

Danielle Quinn, who plays Gwen in the performance, has performed in three of the church’s holiday plays in the past.

“In the other plays, I only had maybe one line and did more with expressions,” she said. “In this one I have about 49 lines.”

But she’s not worried about stage fright. She said acting comes pretty easily for her, and feels a really good message makes the hard work worth it.

“I really want people to walk away and think about the play, and have a good feeling of Jesus,” she said.

JB Miller, who will make his acting debut in “Christmas Choir,” agrees it’s got a good message and thinks people will simply have a lot of fun.

“This play is just plain hilarious,” he said.

When asked exactly why, he simply said, “No spoilers!”

No admission will be charged, but donations will be accepted at the door. In the past, the group has given the proceeds to local charities, including the Salvation Army, Red Cross and Good Samaritan Society. Smith said this year’s proceeds will be given back to the youth group, for members to go on mission trips.

If you go

“Christmas Choir” is slated for three performances: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Doors will open 1/2 hour before the performance begins, and an offering will be accepted. Members of the community are invited to stay for cookies and punch afterward. Crossroads Church is located at 3402 Hoeger Lane, just off Bridge Avenue, north of the I-90 entrance and exit ramps.