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For immediate release.
December 6, 2006
Contact: Julie McGarvie
Penumbra Theatre
651-288-6784

December 6, 2006; St. Paul, MN: Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation’s preeminent African American theatre, announces the addition of eight performances of Black Nativity A Homecoming due to popular demand. The extension runs through December 31, 2006.

This powerful gospel journey, conceived by T. Mychael Rambo and Lou Bellamy, co-directed by Austene Van and Lou Bellamy with musical direction by Sanford Moore, includes old favorites such as, “No Room at the Inn,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Silent Night,” and “Joy to the World. ” New songs have been added this year, including “Rise Up Shepherd & Follow,” “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” and the “Little Drummer Boy.” The performance features live music by award winning musicians, original dance choreographed by the renowned Uri Sands of TU Dance Company, and a stellar gospel choir ensemble that includes members of Moore by Four and the Grammy-Award winning Sounds of Blackness.

Featured vocalists include Ansa Akyea, Aimee Bryant, Ginger Commodore, Cameron Hughes, Tonia Hughes, Greta Oglesby, Thomasina Petrus, T. Mychael Rambo, Xavier Rice, Dennis Spears, Jennifer Whitlock, and Jack Yates.

For the third year in a row, this spectacular holiday production plays on the Penumbra stage, marking the 19th year of this popular Twin Cities’ Christmas tradition. The 2006 production, set in the present, preserves the intent of the very first show in 1987 by bringing together the African American gospel tradition with traditional community values as it celebrates the bonds of family and the power of faith through story, song and dance.

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Musicians: David Hurst (Keyboards), Kenyari Jackson (Percussion), Jay Young (Bass)

Design Team: Jason Allyn-Schwerin (Scene Design), Mark Dougherty (Light Design), Martin Gwinup (Media & Sound Design), Gregory J. Horton (Costume Design)