Candlelight Processional at Epcot (Narrator Cicely Tyson Unscripted Comments on War on Terror)

Disney/Eyewitness Account ^ | 12/6/05 | Recovering_Democrat

[Recovering_Democrat]

Candlelight Processional

One of the most beloved and joyous Disney traditions since 1958, the Candlelight Processional enthralls you as a Celebrity Guest* narrates the Christmas story, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. Guest choirs travel from as far away as the UK to sing with over 400 performers each evening. The Candlelight Processional takes place in the America Gardens Theatre and is included with Park admission.

Showtimes: 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. & 8:15pm

2005 Schedule of Narrators:

Rita Moreno Nov 25-27

Phil Donahue Nov 28-30

Haley Joel Osment Dec 1-3

Cicely Tyson Dec 4-6

Jaci Velasquez Dec 7-9

Eartha Kitt Dec 10-12

Lou Diamond Phillips Dec 13-15

Harry Hamlin Dec 16-18

Marlee Matlin Dec 19-21

Jim Caviezel Dec 22-24

John Stamos Dec 25-27

Steven Curtis Chapman Dec 28-30

[Recovering_Democrat]

The information above is about the annual "Candlelight Processional" Disney has every year. Our family went last Monday, December 5. I was concerned when the program handed out said, "HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD" or something like that...I opened it up and was told about how the Chinese celebrate a new year, and the Muslims have Ramadan around this time, too...and of course there was an acknowledgement of Hannukah and Christmas.

I wasn't exactly enthralled, since we were led to believe the event was supposed to emphasize "the Christmas story", as the web site above says.

But the music selections were pretty decent, so I thought I'd wait to see the performance.

Cicely Tyson came out after a couple of songs and gave a fine recitation of the Christmas story, without embellishment or sidetracking...she would read a scripture, and then the orchestra and choirs would sing a relevant song. Very fine stuff.

What was the most moving, to me, was Tyson's reading of the description of Jesus known as "One Solitary Life"...a paraphrase is below:

He was born in an obscure village and brought up in another obscure village. He works in a carpenter shop until he is thirty, and then for three brief years is an itinerant preacher, proclaiming a message and living a life. He never writes a book, never holds an office, never raises an army.

He never has a family of his own, never owns a home, never goes to college.

He never travels two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He gathers a little group of friends about him and teaches them his way of life. But after three years, the tide of popular feeling turns against him. One denies him; another betrays him. He is turned over to his enemies. He goes through the mockery of a trial; he is nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his clothes. And when his is dead he is laid in a borrowed grave by the kindness of a friend.

Today we look back across nineteen hundred years and ask, What kind of trail has he left across the centuries? When we try to sum up his influence, all the armies that ever marched, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned are absolutely picayune in their influence on mankind compared with that of this one solitary life...

The choirs then sang the Hallelujah chorus.

Now, when the event was almost entirely over, Cicely began to speak extemporaneously. She thanked the crowd for coming, said she was pleased to be there, and asked us to remember the "less fortunate" among us.

I began to gulp when her next words came out as she said (again, I didn't have a recording, but here is a good approximation), "Please especially remember the young men and women who are overseas, fighting in war...to secure our country." (emphasis added by me) As she said the words "secure our country", the audience applauded loudly. To hear this older African-American woman, a member of the Hollywood and Broadway elite and actress emeritus acknowledge the war's legitimacy was a very, very pleasant surprise.

She also asked for the people to remember the victims of Katrina...but that remark got no applause.

Just a little firsthand account some of you might want to know: the opposition to this war, in my opinion, isn't as "widespread" as the LameStream Media would have us believe.

[Mamzelle]

re: I began to gulp when her next words came out as she said (again, I didn't have a recording, but here is a good approximation), "Please especially remember the young men and women who are overseas, fighting in war...to secure our country." )))

Bump. gulp, indeed.

[saveliberty]

Wow!

[Semper Paratus]

You are so fortunate you didn't go Nov 28-30 and hear Phil Donahue.

[saveliberty]

Support our troops ping (from an unlikely source)

[saveliberty]

We are all thankful if we did not go to hear Mr. Marlo Thomas

[sam_paine]

As she said the words "secure our country", the audience applauded loudly.

She also asked for the people to remember the victims of Katrina...but that remark got no applause.

You were at an event at Disney which was ostensibly targeted at families. That crowd was not likely populated by a bunch of pro-abortion, anti-American twenty-somethings from Berkeley.

[SMARTY]

Good for her!

[rabidralph]

I began to gulp when I read the headline. Thanks for the pick-me-up.

[End Times Sentinel]

Oh, Ty-SON.  I thought it was channel 6 Weather Babe Cecily Ty-NAN.

 

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,

 it was probably sarcasm)

[Red Badger]

...the victims of Katrina...but that remark got no applause.

It required no applause, just reflection and personal thoughts on the matter...........

[OldFriend]

I'm touched and proud, doubly proud to know she will probably take criticism for her comments that were clearly from her heart.

[blackie]

Good stuff, Thanks ~ Bump!

[ExcursionGuy84]

WOW!! Jaci Velasquez, Jim Caviezel and Steven Curtis Chapman narrating at EPCOT!!

Boy-o-Boy-o-Boy-oBoy, If only I could just stretch out my upcoming trip by just a few days more....

[Recovering_Democrat]

You were at an event at Disney which was ostensibly targeted at families. That crowd was not likely populated by a bunch of pro-abortion, anti-American twenty-somethings from Berkeley.

I know that.

[Caipirabob]

Just beatutiful! Thanks for sharing! We just unpacked the car, we were there this weekend. We did our Christmas visit to the Polynesian. Can you believe how beautiful Monday was? Not a cloud in the sky... at least in Orlando. How could God not be present?

[SE Mom]

I used to take my son there when he was little every year...what he loved best was the "live nativity" which I don't believe they have anymore. It's the only time of year I enjoy Disney World..

What an amazing statement from Cicely Tyson...more power to her!

[saveliberty]

:-) What a sweet story. I am glad that your son enjoyed it when he was little.

[Hildy]

That wasn't what I was expecting when I read this article.

[Bahbah]

Support our troops ping (from an unlikely source)

Wasn't that nice. I read the whole thing practically holding my breath, I was so concerned that the whole thing was going to be spoiled...and IT WASN'T!