The Ensemble Theatre Welcomes Holiday Season with Encore Run of Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas

Houston, TX, October 21, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Who/What: The Ensemble Theatre kicks off its holiday season with an encore run of the musical, Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas, Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris with musical direction by Carlton Leake.

This African American tale is the story of two children who are taken on a musical journey one magical Christmas Eve. They soon discover the rich history within the music, dance, and culture of the holidays. They go back in time and enjoy a variety of favorite Soulful Christmas tunes from the 1920’s to present day, performed in the style of the artist that made them famous including: “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” – Michael Jackson, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" - Mahalia Jackson, "This Christmas" - Donny Hathaway, "Silent Night" - The Temptations, and more.

Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas is a musical concert with selections written, performed, and published by various artists. The show is adapted by Patdro Harris with additional music by Carlton Leake.

Cast members include: Jamie Burnett, Andrew Carson, JoAnne Davis-Jones, Daron Gilmore, Ron Johnson, Tye Locket, Jayla McDonald, Andre’ Neal, Delsondro Sims II, Trenton Sutton, An’Gelle Sylvester, Roenia Thompson, Constance Washington, and Enjolee Williams.

Understudies include: Jhory Buskey, Tabitha Clay, Sam Harvey, Caitlin Kennerson, and Aaron Phillips.

When: Previews: Saturday, November 14, 2015: 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 15, 2015: 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015: 7:30 p.m.

Show Run: November 19 – December 30, 2015
Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m. Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 3:00 p.m.

Opening Night and Media Reception is Thursday, November 15, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: The Ensemble Theatre
3535 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-520-0055
www.EnsembleHouston.com

The Ensemble Theatre's 2015-2016 Season is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. United Airlines is the official airline sponsor for The Ensemble Theatre. Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas is generously underwritten by Shell.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and to enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-nine years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins’ car to being one of Houston’s finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of a few professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American experience. The oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, it holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble’s $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder and continues to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to myriad audiences.