Salvation and song are the catchwords for Penumbra Theatre, which has announced a slate of holiday shows to help with efforts to turn things around fiscally.
The compan will host three fundraising holiday shows at its St. Paul headquaters in December.
On Dec. 3, actor, singer and director Austene Van (above) presents "Divas of December," an evening of music rendered by the likes of Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson and Sarah Vaughn. The performers include Jamecia Bennett, Yolande Bruce, Dara Ceasar, Ginger Commodore, Debbie Duncan, Cameron Hughes, Thomasina Petrus, Jennifer Whitlock, Regina Marie Williams and dancer Alanna Morris.
The Dec. 10 show, "One Holiday Wish," will be presented by singing actor Dennis Spears. It features the members of Moore by Four -- music director Sanford Moore and singers Yolande Bruce, Ginger Commodore, Connie Evingson and Spears -- plus Greta Oglesby. They deliver holiday classics. The final benefit, Dec. 17, is "Hot Chocolate", written and directed by Van and featuring music director Moore and vocalists Petrus and Julius Collins III. The holiday revue, which played at Park Square Theatre last year, centers on a couple dealing with expectations and stress at that particular time of year. Tickets, which cost $50 for adults and $20 for students 16 and under, are available at Penumbra's web site or at the company's box office, 651-224-3180.
