Biblical Times cast featured at National Quartet Convention
By Michael Williams

The Biblical Times Dinner Theater was featured on the Main Stage at the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge. From left are: Benjamin Morelock, Ashley Jenkins, Rachel Barnes, Blaine Sumler, and Chris Siglar.

The cast of the Biblical Times Dinner Theater in Pigeon Forge was featured at the National Quartet Convention last week before a capacity of crowd of 12,500. The Convention was held at the new LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.

The BTDT is a five member cast consisting of Rachel Barnes, Benjamin Morelock, Ashley Jenkins, Blaine Sumler and their newest member Chris Seigler. The quintet performed in the feature showcase Monday among 12 other acts. Their rendition of “Ready for a Miracle” and “Days of Elijah” impressed the judges who selected the quintet to open the show Wednesday in the regional competition at the Convention Center in Music Road. On Wednesday the cast performed “What a lovely name” and “Days of Elijah.” Their stellar performance earned them a coveted place on the Main Stage at the Pigeon Forge Convention Center where they sang before a sold out audience.

“It was a busy week for us,” said Allan Miller, general manager/director of the BTDT. “They performed for three Showcases and one night at the convention center while performing two shows a day at the theater.”

The quintet was part of a line-up of gospel luminaries that included Guy Penrod, the Hoppers, the Booth Brothers, the Kingdom Heirs, the Legacy 5, Greater Vision and many other gospel greats.

“Parker Webb of the Rick Webb Family was one of the judges,” said Miller. “He told me that your group was the most professional in singing and performing.” Miller said, “I felt like a proud dad.”

For newcomer Chris Seigler the week was a trial by fire. He had just started in his new role in the theater the week before the convention and had little time to prepare. Seigler is the music director and worship leader at Bethel Baptist Church in Townsend. The 28-year-old tenor didn’t start singing until he was 18-years-old. He started as a drummer for the Praise and Worship Group and traveled with Cross for Crown and the Foothills Quartet before starting his solo ministry in January, 2012.

“This was my second time performing at the National Quartet Convention,” said Seigler. “I have always enjoyed performing gospel music. There is something about gospel music that opens peoples’ hearts. Working at the Biblical Times has presented new challenges for me. I have never danced or recited lines.”

While performing at the convention and at the theater the cast has been rehearsing for the Christmas season. The new Christmas show is “The Christmas Story” and begins November 1 running through January 3 with performances Monday thru Saturday at 6pm. The current show, “Moses Mountain of God” will continue to run throughout the Christmas season at 2 p.m. on Tues., Thurs. and Sat.

The BTDT utilizes state-of-the-art holographic images that interact with live performers. For more information call 865-908-3327.

Published October 4, 2014