On the stage and behind the scenes

Playing the part of Jesus, Kelly Grenga holds daughter Talia as they reenact a resurrection miracle in "The Fourth Cross."

His "audition" came when he donned a temple guard costume because a friend said NarroWay needed a "fill in" for the weekend. So he walked on stage, looking as "soldier-like" as possible, but with no idea what to expect. That was fifteen years ago. At that time, Kelly Grenga was a young college student nearing graduation - the only son in a family of six. Today, he is a successful entrepreneur - and father in a family of five. 

His roles have changed through the years: Temple Guard, Soldier,  Fighting Angel, Samson, Jesus...Son, Brother, Husband, Father. But he approaches each one with the commitment to suceed. "You always make time for the things that are important to you," says Grenga. 

It's not uncommon for a man to find himself trading in the sports car for a minivan as his family increases. But Preston Wells is no "minivan man." With nine children ranging from 7 months to 15 years, Preston and wife Heather have long-since ditched the minivan for a 15-passenger.

Preston, Heather and their children have been involved in NarroWay for almost seven years. Word went out that a baby was needed for the 2011 Christmas show. Son Timothy was an infant at the time, so Preston and Heather agreed to bring him to fill the role of Baby Jesus in The Real Christmas Story. 

James and his wife, Tiffany, as Santa and Mrs. Claus

On the road, he commands an 18-wheeler. On the stage he travels with 9 reindeer. James Gordon is a truck driver by day, but he might just leave your cookie plate empty at night -- at least in the imagination of the nearest pre-schooler at Christmas. James plays the character of Santa Claus on the NarroWay stage. When you meet this gentle, kind-hearted man you might easily suspect typecasting. 

Regardless of his good nature, however, James has been cast in "bad guy" roles as well. A versatile actor, he transforms from jolly ol' St. Nick at Christmas to a mean, conniving pharisee at Easter. You'll find him in these conflicting roles when he takes to the stage in "The Real Christmas Story" and "The Fourth Cross."