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“Let the joy, peace, and light of the Christmas season dance within you!”
That enticement to experience the annual Boston College production of “Christmas Reflections,” which celebrates the season in story, music and dance, beckons from its sponsor, the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble.
The holiday extravaganza returns to campus for its sixth year, with performances in the Robsham Theater Arts Center on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 20 and 21.
“Christmas Reflections” features choreography by Jesuit Artist-in-Residence Robert Ver Eecke, SJ — affectionately known as “Fr. Bob” and dubbed “the dancing priest.” The show integrates new works with favorites from “A Dancer’s Christmas,” a beloved holiday tradition staged at BC by Fr. Ver Eecke for nearly three decades.
“I can hardly believe that after 28 years of ‘A Dancer’s Christmas,’ I was able to create a dance/theater piece as charming, delightful and heartwarming as ‘Christmas Reflections,’” said Fr. Ver Eecke.
“Like ‘A Dancer’s Christmas,’ ‘Christmas Reflections’ uses professional dancers, as well as BC students and alumni. One of its distinguishing characteristics, however, is that it is a special gift for children and families. With a cast of more than 20 children and 24 Irish step dancers, it’s a very joyful celebration of the true meaning of Christmas. Audiences of all ages are delighted with the beauty, the spirit and joy of ‘Christmas Reflections.’”
“Christmas Reflections” narrates, sings and dances the story of Christmas through the Gospel Acording to Luke; of an Irish Christmas as related by a storyteller named Seamus; of a contemporary Christmas in Boston; and the tale of “Shep, the Sleepy Sheep,” according to Fr. Ver Eecke.
Some 80 performers comprise the cast, and guest artist Steven Cornwall – a Jamaican contemporary dancer – will once again portray Joseph. Fr. Ver Eecke praises Cornwall as “a spectacular dancer,” who “brings a beauty and strength that is very powerful to watch.”
The production also includes choreography by championship Irish step dancer Helen O’Dwyer ’97, who performed for a number of years in “A Dancer’s Christmas,” and students from her dance school.
General admission tickets are $20 with a group rate (for 10) of $15. For tickets, call the RTAC Box Office at ext. 2-4002; e-mail Box Office Manager Kim Principi at principi@bc.edu or see www.bc.edu/offices/robsham/tickets.html.