The Ensemble Theatre Spends 'Christmas With Great Aunt'

A Heartfelt Holiday Musical for the Family


ADVISORY, Oct. 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



 
 Who/What:  The Ensemble Theatre's dynamic duo of musical productions, 
            Director and Choreographer Patdro Harris and Musical Director 
            Carlton Leake team up for 'Christmas with Great Aunt,' by 
            Houston playwright Thomas Meloncon. The proud farmers of 
            Bethlehem, Texas may have lost their 150-year-old church in a 
            fire, but they are determined to uphold the tradition of 
            having their annual Christmas play, an event filled with
            history, song, messages of self-determination and reverence 
            for the coming of the Messiah. While visiting their great 
            aunt in Bethlehem, the Gilliam family experiences an 
            awakening that tests their faith and irrevocably changes 
            their view of Christmas. This contemporary gospel play 
            celebrates family and is infused with traditional and 
            non-traditional music.
 
 When:      Previews:  Saturday, November 21:   8:00p.m.
                       Sunday, November 22:     3:00p.m.
                       Wednesday, November 25:  7:30p.m.

 Show Run:  November 27 - December 27, 2009
            Thursdays:    7:30 p.m.
            Fridays:      8:00 p.m.
            Saturdays:    2:00p.m. and 8:00p.m.
            Sundays:      3:00p.m.

    ****Opening Night and Media Reception is Friday, November 27, 2009
                   at 8:00p.m.; Reception at 7:00p.m.***

   
     For subscription information, ticket sales or groups sales, call
                     the box office at (713) 520-0055
 
 Where:                The Ensemble Theatre
                       3535 Main St.
                       Houston, TX 77002
                       713-520-0055
                       www.ensemblehouston.com

The Ensemble Theatre's 2009-2010 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and Texas Commission on the Arts. Continental Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. This production is generously underwritten by Target and BP.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-three years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins' car to being one of Houston's finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation's largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble's $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to a myriad of audiences.

The Ensemble Theatre logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4566



            

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