Metropolitan Opera star Deborah Voigt is the special guest in Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity. Chelsea Opera joins forces with Kindred Spirits, Inc. to present this fresh and dramatic telling of the Christmas story. WQXR's Terrance McKnight and WBGO's Sheila Anderson co-host this 30th anniversary production of Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity, featuring jazz greats Ingrid Jensen, Steve Wilson, Wycliffe Gordon, and 93-year-old Latin congo player, Candido. Performances take place at Christ and St. Stephen's Church, 120 West 69th Street in NYC, on Sunday, December 20 at 5 pm and 8 pm. Tickets range from $25 to $50, available online and at the door (cash/check only).
Bending Towards the Light tells the story of the nativity with music from beginning to end, including well-known carols combined with original songs composed by Anne Phillips and additional music and lyrics by Dave and Iola Brubeck, Bob Kindred, and Henry Timm. The brilliantly-costumed Three Kings and an introduction written by Charles Kuralt make for a moving holiday experience for the entire family.