‘All Is Calm’ a message of Christmas peace, beautifully staged and sung

It might sound strange to suggest a musical about war as perfect for Christmas. But the magic of “All Is Calm,” onstage at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, is how this World War I inspired collection of spoken word and song is really all about peace.

In fact, “All Is Calm” has a message that should ring out loud and clear during this festive season. In Opera Orlando’s production, beautifully sung and staged, it does.

Opera Orlando is presenting the local premiere of Peter Rothstein’s emotional homage to the ordinary soldier and the power of the human spirit. Grant Preisser directs his platoon of nine singers with a deceptive simplicity: Their movements seem natural, even though I imagine they’ve been drilled to achieve precision.

Preisser’s staging, too, follows the simple pattern of productions elsewhere: Humble crates do yeoman’s work. A welltimed snowfall, coupled with Nate Wheatley’s thoughtful lighting, works wonders. And Kim Welborn’s military costumes are really all you need to set the scene.

That scene is mostly northern Europe, as the true story of the famed Christmas truce of 1914 is told straightforwardly and compellingly through letters written by the men who were there. As the English, French and their allies fought the Germans in brutal trench warfare, both sides came together on Dec. 25, 1914, for a few hours of camaraderie.

It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t ordered. It was simply people being people — reaching out to each other and finding common bonds, especially through music. Without preaching, “All Is Calm” clearly shows that

‘All Is Calm’

■ Length: 1:15, no intermission

■ Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. ■ When: 2, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21; 2 p.m. Dec. 22 ■ Cost: $39-$79 ■ Info: 844-513-2104 or drphillipscenter.org humans are fundamentally good — and war is opposed to our most basic nature.

It helps that Opera Orlando lets theatergoers get up close and personal with the performers; “All Is Calm” is staged in the arts center’s small Pugh Theater, with the audience seated on three sides of the action. It’s highly effective in making one feel part of this little bit of history.

The performers read the soldier’s letters without British or German accents, but with heart, as they share real moments of joy, frivolity, doubts and sorrow; Edward Washington II and Lloyd Reshard are particularly adept at painting a picture with their spoken words.

As to the music, the company sings without accompaniment. Under the music direction of Robin Jensen, their shimmering harmonies create a rich and often thrilling sound.

There are a few moments for individuals to shine — Chad Johnson soars through a French rendition of “O Holy Night,” Brent Doucette leads a robust “Auld Lang Syne.” But ultimately, this is a true ensemble piece. Each man has his part to play, a piece of a grander endeavor, just as in the military.

In a few instances, the speaking and the background singing compete for attention, but the message is never muddied: The people we think of as enemies, whether in war or daily life, might be more like us than we realize.

“They looked more like university students than soldiers,” says one enlisted man in surprise upon meeting his “enemies.”

“I now have a different opinion of the Germans,” says a British solider, after kicking around a soccer ball with the “other side.”

My Christmas wish is that the entire world recognizes the message of peace found in this profound and profoundly heart-stirring show.