'Black Nativity'
Opens Thursday: Spirited singer/actor Dennis Spears can be counted on to throw his heart and soul into his work when he returns as one of the stars of "Black Nativity," Penumbra Theatre's holiday tradition. Spears, who played Nat King Cole in "I Wish You Love" a few seasons back, joins the likes of Greta Oglesby, Tonia Hughes, Yolande Bruce and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Choir in retelling the story of Jesus' birth. Director Lou Bellamy again narrates while Sanford Moore leads the band. (7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 4 & 7:30 p.m. next Sun. $15-$30. Ends Dec. 21. Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul. 651-224-3180, penumbratheatre.org.)
Rohan Preston
