Behind the Scenes of Christmas Musical ‘Journey to Bethlehem’
By: Laura Bennett
Journey to Bethlehem writer and director Adam Anders is no stranger to the entertainment industry.
For many years, Adam was the executive music producer of Glee, he’s worked with artists ranging from the Jonas Brothers to Miley Cyrus and Andy Grammar, and his music’s appeared in movies like High School Musical, The Wedding Planner and Rock of Ages.
Adam’s credits are extensive but with his new Christmas movie musical Journey to Bethlehem, it’s the first time he’s been in the director’s chair.
Starring Antonio Banderas (Uncharted, Puss in Boots), Fiona Palomo (Outer Banks) and Joel Smallbone (Priceless), the movie weaves together classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told, that of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.
“I look at what’s happening in the world, and I couldn’t imagine a better story to put out into the world than this one right now,” Adam said in our interview.
“…I couldn’t imagine a better story to put out into the world than this one right now,” Adam said. “There’s a lot of darkness in the world and this movie is a bright light [that] shines a light on the ultimate bright light which is Christ.
“I want [people] to walk away feeling better, and knowing what Christmas is about.”
Originally a bassist for Christan artist Stephen Curtis Chapman, Adam first had the idea for Journey to Bethlehem 17 years ago when he was feeling like “songwriting wasn’t enough”.
“There was no story like this,” Adam said. “Nobody had told this story this way, as a musical.
“There were so many beautiful, vibrant, colorful movies about everything but what Christmas is about – elves and Santa and everything else – and I [wondered], ‘why hasn’t anybody done this?’.”
It meant a lot to Adam to be able to make a movie that celebrated Christmas while also breaking away from the “dark content” that’s hard for families to avoid.
“There’s very few movies you can plop your kids in front of and not worry about what they’re going to see,” Adam said.
“There’s agendas everywhere in everything, and I just think now’s a great time for a movie that has one agenda, and that’s to fill you with joy.”
Journey to Bethlehem is in cinemas November 30.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
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About the Author: Laura Bennett is a media professional, broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.
