The Christmas Rush
A Special Gift of Entertainment & Inspiration
For tickets, call (717) 768-1568 or reserve online:
NEW! The Christmas Rush
October 30 – December 31, 2026
Attention shoppers—and showgoers! On the day before Christmas, the biggest department store in a small American town has announced a Last-Minute Madness Sale. Will the harried staff be able to handle the onslaught? Will the Santa in the lobby raise enough to save the town’s soup kitchen? And will the recently widowed Alice and her daughter find what they are so desperately seeking?
This brand-new show from Blue Gate Musicals is big on laughs, full of heart and has a score that sounds like it stepped right off the Broadway stage. Give yourself a gift and make sure to see The Christmas Rush!
All she needed was 3 more hours, 2 more gifts and 1 small miracle!
Buy Tickets Online »
Show Times & Ticket Prices
October 30 – December 31, 2026
Dinner & Show
Monday – Thursday: Adult, $73.50; Child, $34
Lunch & Show
Monday – Saturday: Adult, $68; Child, $31
Show Only
Monday – Saturday: Adult, $47; Child, $18
Guests dining with us before the performance should arrive at least 90 minutes prior to allow for time to enjoy their meal. If you arrive later than that time, we are not able to guarantee you will be finished dining in time to be seated for the show. Stage doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.
Where:
Bird-in-Hand Stage in Lancaster County, PA:
2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, #A
Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505
(Get Google Maps Directions »)
“We loved the acting and the music – great story!”
— dovey57, Posen, IL
Wholesome Entertainment Everyone Will Enjoy
Our Bird-in-Hand Stage makes it easy to relax and enjoy high-quality live entertainment, including Broadway-style musical theatre with a positive message, in a unique Lancaster County setting.
- Intimate 145-seat theatre
- Tiered seating with wheelchair-accessible floor seating
- Delicious on-site dining – be sure to check the Restaurant’s hours of operation
- Convenient on-site lodging options
- Tickets available as part of a discounted meal and/or lodging package
- Theatre season runs April – December with various show times
Escape your everyday world for a little while and enjoy our live stage shows. You’ll find yourself laughing, holding your breath, gasping, tapping your toes – uplifted and fully entertained.
For tickets, call (717) 768-1568 or reserve online:
Meet Our Talented Cast
Grace Raber
Alice Garfield
Grace is thrilled to be returning to Bird-in-Hand! A Texas native, she graduated from Ohio Northern University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in History with minors in Dance and Arts Administration. She performed last year in The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits (Fannie Miller), Stolen (Fannie Miller), and The Christmas Candy Caper (Sadie Graber). Other roles include Maria in The Sound of Music, Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, and Mrs. Claus in the ONU Holiday Spectacular. Grace would like to thank Blue Gate Musicals for this opportunity. Most of all, she would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her dreams. Enjoy the show! Website: graceraber.com
Carly Sesti
Katie Garfield
Carly is delighted to be in her second show Blue Gates Musicals in The Christmas Rush. She is a graduate of Circle in the Square Theatre School and the recipient of a BroadwayWorld Award for Best Performer in a Musical (2025). Select theatre credits include Dear Soldier Boy (Sofia Lucia Maria Delamonte), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), Cinderella (Joy), and Christmas With the Clauses (Sprig Kringle).
Grant Myers
Elliott Herzog Jr.
Grant Myers is thrilled to return to Bird-in-Hand for his fourth season with Blue Gate Musicals! Grant holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Emory & Henry University and was last seen at Bird-in-Hand in Dear Soldier Boy (Orville), Ned & Nancy See America (Dancer), Stolen (Jimmy), The Christmas Candy Caper (Amos) and Our Christmas Dinner (Uncle Ollie). Other favorite credits include The Music Man (Swing Quartet/Charlie), Newsies (Albert), Ordinary Days (Jason), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Super./Ensemble). He thanks the cast, crew and creative team for another wonderful experience and his family and friends for all their love and support. Enjoy the show!
Liora Ziv Lahav
Dixie Plunkett
Liora is very excited to be back with Blue Gate Musicals for The Christmas Rush! Previous Blue Gate Musicals credits include Featured Dancer in Ned and Nancy See America and The Confession. Liora is a product of Laine Theatre Arts College in the UK where she earned a BA in Musical Theatre from the University for the Creative Arts. Liora performed with ACMA’s Dance West company in Oregon where she was blessed to study under renowned industry professionals including American Tap Master, Terry Brock. She has appeared recently with the Chicago Tap All Stars in Chicago’s renowned Dance For Life fundraiser. She performed with Music Theatre Works as Dance Captain in their production of Shrek: The Musical. Her other previous credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, and A Little Night Music.
Xander Haan
Maxwell Q. Seldon
Xander is a 2024 Purdue graduate with a BA in Theatre Acting / Film Production. He’s excited to be back on the Bird-in-Hand Stage after previously appearing in Ned and Nancy See America. He’s performed in numerous shows in Indiana, with some of his favorite roles including Gilligan (Gilligan’s Island: The Musical), Leo Clark (Leading Ladies), Daddy Cane (Bright Star), and Priest Annas (Jesus Christ Superstar). In his free time, he creates original films such as My Stuffed Monkey and A Santa in February. He’d love to thank his family, friends, and girlfriend Anabella for their support during his exciting return. Enjoy the show! IG: @xander.haan
Benjamin Reardon
Sgt. Sam
Benjamin is grateful to get festive with the company of The Christmas Rush! Hailing from Atlanta, GA, he received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Anderson University’s South Carolina School of the Arts. Recent credits include Dear Soldier Boy (Joshua King), Ned & Nancy See America (Supporting Male), The Christmas Candy Caper (Leeroy Gooberling), and When Calls the Heart: the Musical (Mr. Higgins). He’s sincerely grateful to his parents, Jim and Jade, and each of his mentors who have contributed to make his vocation of professional performance possible. Benjamin dedicates each of his performances, including all accolades, applause, and laughter, to his personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things; apart from Him, Ben could do nothing. Per Aspera, Ad Christum. He hopes you thoroughly the show. Merry Christmas, and Go Bills! Website: www.benjaminhartreardon.com
Allyson Hunsicker
Hattie McGee
Allyson is excited to be making her Bird-in-Hand Stage debut in The Christmas Rush! She is a 2025 graduate of the Musical Theatre BFA program from Lancaster Bible College. Some of her favorite past roles include Kate Murphey (Titanic the Musical), Mrs. Mayor (Seussical), and Mrs. Gibbs (Our Town). She might also be found filling her time with stage management and theatre tech gigs when not performing onstage. Allyson would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support, the cast and crew for their hard work in putting together the show, and the Lord for His faithful provision in all seasons. Psalm 32:7. Merry Christmas and enjoy the show!
Adam Kurek
Buchanan Gentlemen
Adam is an actor born in Maryland. This is his third year with Blue Gate Musicals. He has a Music degree from Virginia Wesleyan University. Some of Adam’s favorite productions include Blue Gate’s own Dear Soldier Boy (William), Matilda the Musical (Trunchbull), White Christmas (Bob Wallace), and Legally Blonde (Warner). Adam would like to thank his family and friends for their overwhelming support. He’s excited to be part of this show and hopes you enjoy the performance! @Itsadamkurek
Shannon Sullivan
Nadine/Swing
Shannon is excited to be a part of The Christmas Rush! Select Regional Credits: Walnut Street Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), Beautiful (Cynthia Weil u/s); South Camden Theatre Company: The Toxic Avenger (Sarah), How the Light Gets In (Kat Lane); Lexington Children’s Theatre: Pinkalicious! (Alison/Dr. Wink), Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Saturday Night Fever (Pauline). She’s also performed at 54 Below, Don’t Tell Mama’s, Green Room 42, and Papermill Playhouse. Proud UArts alum and Philly based actor. Shannon would like to thank her family, friends, cast, crew, and supportive partner, Ryan Saver.
Joshua Crowley
Wilbur/ Swing
Josh is excited to be making his post-graduation professional/swing debut at Blue Gate Musicals! Regional: Little Shop of Horrors, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, All Shook Up, South Pacific, The Prom, RENT, Madagascar, Something Rotten, Footloose. Training: BFA in Musical Theatre from The Conservatory of Performing Arts at Stephen’s College. Josh would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support. He hopes you enjoy the show! All socials: @joshhcrowleyyy
Sydney Hersch
Patsy/ Swing
Sydney is pleased to be returning to the Bird-in-Hand Stage for the third year! Previous Blue Gate musical credits include Stolen (Female Swing) and The Confession (Female Swing). Other select credits include Titanic (Kate McGowan), White Christmas (Rita), Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Larken), and Cinderella (Charlotte). She received aBachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College, graduating in May 2025. To retain theatre in her life when not in a show, Sydney enjoys teaching acting classes, directing shows, working backstage on shows, and dabbling in writing. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support and God for being such a good, good Father. Enjoy! Esther 4:14
Walter Dodd
Otis/Elliott Herzog Sr./Swing
Walter (he/him) is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist based in Philadelphia, PA. He is thrilled to be making his debut at Bird-in-Hand! Regional credits: The Wizard of Oz & 25th….Spelling Bee (MDP), A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theatre), As You Like It (Shakespeare in Clark Park), plus Guys and Dolls (Great Plains Theatre). An excerpt of his play Summers of Honeysuckle was performed as part of PlayPenn’s Solo Fest this summer. Training: BA in Theatre Arts and MFA in Playwriting (Hollins University)
Amish Country Home Cooking
Our Bird-in-Hand Stage adds new flexibility to the concept of a dinner theatre in Lancaster, PA. To enhance your Lancaster County theatre experience, come early or stay after the show to enjoy a meal at our Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, where you can order from the menu or select from our mouthwatering all-you-can-eat buffet. If you’re looking for lighter fare, enjoy the farm-fresh choices at our nearby Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe. Be sure to ask about dining discounts when you make your reservations.
Restaurant & SmorgasbordStay Overnight: Experience Smucker Family Hospitality
Our on-site dining options are a delicious way to round out your visit to our Bird-in-Hand Stage. For an even more memorable theatre experience, ask about discounted packages that include meals or lodging at our one of our conveniently located properties, which provide easy access to all the most popular Lancaster County attractions.
Other 2026 Shows On Our Stage
Directions
The Bird-in-Hand Stage is located on the banquet level of the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord. Wheelchair-accessible floor seating is available.
Contact For More Info:
Email: CentralReservations@Bird-in-Hand.com
Phone: (717) 768-1568