Jonathan Blair, an actor, writer and alumnus of California Baptist University, is set to return to his alma mater as the special guest for the ninth annual A CBU Christmas, appearing in the second act of the production. The four performances are scheduled for Dec. 5 and 6 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day at the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center in Riverside.
According to a release carried by Knox News, Blair said he is honored to bring storytelling to CBU's stage and share the Christmas story, adding that he hopes every family leaves feeling the wonder of Christmas more deeply. The production is presented by CBU's Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts, and combines music, dance and theatrical storytelling to tell the story of Christ's birth through CBU music and theatre students and faculty, per the same release distributed through EIN Presswire.
A Stage Packed With Student Talent
Just how many students take the stage depends on which CBU account you consult. The announcement tied to Blair's return states that more than 500 CBU music and theatre students will join him onstage, while the official event website puts the figure at more than 400 gifted CBU music and theatre students joining forces for the show, a number that matches what the site reported back in 2023 when the production was in its sixth year.
Whatever the exact headcount, the show has only grown. Over 15,000 people attended A CBU Christmas performances in 2025, with sold-out shows over two days, according to California Baptist University. The production, now entering its ninth year, explores themes of light, hope and the promise of Christ's coming, and includes the Nativity story alongside music inspired by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Joseph Bolin, dean of the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts, said the university looks forward to showcasing the breadth of its students' talent at A CBU Christmas.
From George Whitefield to the CBU Stage
Blair's return to Riverside follows his starring role in the feature film A Great Awakening, which he also co-wrote. In it, he portrays the evangelist George Whitefield, whose open-air sermons stirred a generation, and the film depicts Whitefield's friendship with Benjamin Franklin before the American Revolution. The movie was produced by Sight & Sound Theatres.
A report from LancasterOnline notes the film focuses on Whitefield's upbringing and how he found Christianity, while also tracing his bond with Franklin. The outlet also points out that Blair has appeared in other Sight & Sound productions, including Jesus and David, and previously played Charley in I Heard the Bells. Reviewer Roger Moore, writing for Roger's Movie Nation, said Blair stands out in the cast, praising his performance as the preacher.
Tickets and the Season Ahead
Tickets for the Riverside shows are available exclusively through the official CBU Christmas ticketing site. The production is part of CBU's broader 2026-27 theatre season, which also includes two plays and two musicals.
California Baptist University, founded in 1950, describes itself as the largest Christian university in California, offering more than 106 bachelor's programs, 44 graduate programs and 11 doctoral programs. The school is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention and holds membership in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, among other associations.
