The World Premiere of the Ringing Nativity comes to the World Stage Theater at the Museum of the Bible
This Christmas season, Washington, DC audiences have a unique opportunity to experience an original theatrical event and musical production at the Museum of the Bible. The Ringing Nativity is a fresh telling of the classic nativity story accompanied entirely by English handbells. This never-before-seen production gives audiences a look inside the world of Bezalel, a first century Israelite and craftsman who waits expectantly for the promised Messiah. One night, Bezalel and his small family are visited by a wealth traveler from the East who has followed a star to find a new king. A nationally auditioned ensemble of elite handbell musicians joins the drama cast on stage to provide the glorious artistry of handbell ringing as the soundtrack for The Heavens are Ringing -- the original play written for the world premiere of the Ringing Nativity. The World Stage Theater at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC is a 400-seat, state-of-the-art immersive theater that provides the ideal
This Christmas season, Washington, DC audiences have a unique opportunity to experience an original theatrical event and musical production at the Museum of the Bible. The Ringing Nativity is a fresh telling of the classic nativity story accompanied entirely by English handbells. This never-before-seen production gives audiences a look inside the world of Bezalel, a first century Israelite and craftsman who waits expectantly for the promised Messiah. One night, Bezalel and his small family are visited by a wealth traveler from the East who has followed a star to find a new king. A nationally auditioned ensemble of elite handbell musicians joins the drama cast on stage to provide the glorious artistry of handbell ringing as the soundtrack for The Heavens are Ringing -- the original play written for the world premiere of the Ringing Nativity.
The World Stage Theater at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC is a 400-seat, state-of-the-art immersive theater that provides the ideal setting for The Ringing Nativity. Directed by actor/director, Cooper McConnel Shaw, and conducted by Maestro Brian Childers, The Ringing Nativity is the creation of Phillip W. Lanier and Neesa Hart -- the creative team at Global Bronze Productions. The Ringing Nativity also features an Overture provided by the massed ringing ensemble of the Capital Great Christmas Ring under the direction of Maestro Al Reese. The ensemble is performing on January 7 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before bringing massed ringing to the Museum for Ringing Nativity audiences. Handbell and music enthusiasts, alike, will thrill to the sound of bells filling the Museum of the Bible's World Stage.
Along with this special event, the Museum is also featuring The Bells of Bethlehem as part of its 2022 Christmas holiday season. This exhibition highlights the history of the bronze bells of the Church of the Nativity and the extraordinary story that saved them from ruin.
Global Bronze Productions is overjoyed to be bringing handbells to the Museum and the World Stage as part of the Museum's celebration of the Bells of Christmas. "For many years," Lanier says, "handbell musicians have been bringing musical artistry to the worship environment. The Ringing Nativity elevates this musical art form to new heights by merging it seamlessly with a full theatrical experience." With a professional drama cast, and an acclaimed leadership team, The Ringing Nativity promises to give audiences a moving experience unlike any other. According to Lanier, "The Ringing Nativity is an ideal capstone to the 2022 Holiday Season for theater goers looking to experience the classic Christmas story in a new and exciting way." The handbell performance ensemble will perform on two 7-octave sets of English Handbells, along with several sets of antique bells, 6 octaves of chimes and other specialty instruments. The instruments are provided by the Stafford Regional Handbell Society in Stafford, Virgina. The Society is America's biggest community handbell organization and owns the nation's largest collection of handbells and handbell-related instruments. Phillip W. Lanier serves as the Society's musical and artistic director. Neesa Hart is the organization's program director. Together with Julia Falkenberg, the team created Global Bronze Productions to bring handbell artistry to the world stage -- a vision that has brought handbell performances to Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney World, and now, the Museum of the Bible.
There will be two performances of The Ringing Nativity on January 7 at 1 PM and 7 PM, and reserved-seating tickets are available now at GlobalBronzeProductions.com
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