BETHLEHEM ON BROADWAY to Bring Birth of Christ to 51st Street This December

The street is the stage for "Bethlehem on Broadway," an original production that brings the birth of Christ to life with a cast of 100+ actors and live animals, on Manhattan's West 51st Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, on Saturday, December 17.

The production, presented by Times Square Church, located at the historic Mark Hellinger Theatre, will include new musical arrangements of traditional Christmas carols as well as original songs.

Performances will run 40 minutes in length and will be shown at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. "Bethlehem on Broadway" is free and open to the public.

"Our desire is to have our neighbors and New York City at large, be transported from the busyness of our 21st century urban life to that special day in Bethlehem when the greatest birth of all time took place," said David Ham, associate pastor of Times Square Church. "The street is the stage and people will be part of the experience. We want them to be filled with awe and wonder at the birth of a baby destined to save the world." There will be live animals, including llamas, alpacas, donkeys and sheep at the Broadway and Eighth Avenue entrances to 51st Street.

Along with the holiday production, Times Square Church will have activities for the whole family. "The Gift of Christmas: A Puppet Production," for children 12 and under, will have three performances at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the church's state-of-the art puppet theatre. A holiday market, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the theatre's magnificent lower rotunda, will feature a selection of hand-crafted gifts from around the world. Proceeds from the holiday market will benefit ChildCry, its ministry which feeds hungry children in 20 countries.

Times Square Church will also be conducting tours of the majestic Mark Hellinger Theatre, a landmark built by Warner Brothers in 1929 and considered one of Broadway's architectural jewels. The former theatre, impeccably restored to its original condition, is notable for having been the site of the original production of "My Fair Lady" and one of the few remaining examples of art deco architecture in New York City. Tours will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Times Square Church is an inter-denominational, multinational congregation, located in the heart of New York City, at 51st Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, founded by Rev. David Wilkerson, author of the best-selling book "The Cross and the Switchblade." Over 10,000 people, representing more than 100 different nationalities, gather to worship together each week, finding true unity is possible through Jesus Christ. For more information, please visit www.tscnyc.org.