'LA NATIVIDAD'

Opening Thursday: Director Sandy Spieler modeled her "La Natividad" after "Las Posadas," the nine-day Latin American re-enactment of the Nativity. In this shorter version of Mary and Jose's search for a place of refuge so that she can give birth to baby Jesus, Spieler uses a bilingual cast of 70. The production is a multi-venue promenade that begins at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre and ends 2 1/2 blocks later with a fiesta of food and music at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Outdoor-weather-appropriate dress is encouraged. (6:30 p.m. Thu.-next Sun. $16-$20. Ends Dec. 22. Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater, 1500 E. Lake St., Mpls. 612-721-2535.)