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Puppeteers, theater troupe give old story new look

Posted December 03, 2008 10:00 pm

By Nadia Malik

The Nativity story is so well-known it's hard to find a new way to tell it. "Blue Nativity," a performance with 12-foot puppets and actors on stilts, does just that.

Produced by Chicago-based Quest Ensemble Theatre, "Blue Nativity" will be performed several times in the suburbs this month, starting with two shows this weekend in Arlington Heights and Schaumburg.

Performances in Lombard will be on Dec. 13 and 20.

The ensemble uses larger than life puppets to tell the story of Christ's birth. Their faces are blue, because that color represents darkness with a faint hope of light; and also peace and tranquility.

The half-hour show uses 12-foot puppets and actors on stilts and features well known songs of the season like "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night."

The show has no dialogue. A singer narrates, with acoustic guitar accompaniment.

The Christ Community Mennonite Church in Schaumburg featured "Blue Nativity" last year and brought them back for this weekend.

"They were so inspirational," said the Rev. LeRoy Kennel, co-pastor. "They do so well with both singing and acting. This is a very different way to do it."

He said when the ensemble performed last year, it was snowing outside but the church auditorium was filled.

"It permits us to experience the event of the birth of Jesus in a dramatic and interesting and humorous way," Kennel said.

Bonnie Beckonchrist, senior pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, said she first saw "Blue Nativity" at St. Gregory's Church in Chicago, where the theater troupe is in residence.

"The day I saw them I was really awed and inspired," she said. "It's a new way to present an old story."

Beckonchrist said the Quest ensemble juxtaposes ancient parts of church tradition with contemporary puppetry.

"I was watching the audience last year, and everyone, from preschoolers to people of significant age, were awed," Beckonchrist said. "The puppets themselves are profoundly expressive."

She said the audience itself becomes a part of the show because the ensemble takes up the whole auditorium.

"It's a great mix of the arts," she said.

The Arlington Heights performance will also be followed by an optional dinner at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children and a maximum of $25 per family.

For more information, visit questensemble.org.

The Quest Theatre Ensemble uses blue puppets to tell the Nativity story. Courtesy of Quest Theatre Ensemble

If you go 'Blue Nativity' by Quest Ensemble Theater of Chicago. • 2 p.m. Dec. 7; Christ Community Mennonite Church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. • 5 p.m. Dec. 7; First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. • 3 p.m. Dec. 13; Lexington Square of Lombard, 555 Foxworth Boulevard. • 3 p.m. Dec. 20; Beacon Hill Retirement Community, 2400 S. Finley Road, Lombard. Cost: Free. Visit: <a href="http://www.questensemble.org" target="new">questensemble.org</a>. Call: (312) 458-0895 for Quest Ensemble Theatre; (847) 895-3676 for Christ Community Mennonite Church; (847) 255-5112 for First United Methodist Church.

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