Times Square Church Hosts Free Live Performances at Mark Hellinger Theatre This Weekend

"We wuz robbed!" is how Peter Allen described the critical reception his 1989 musical LEGS DIAMOND received at his curtain speech following the show's final performance.

Many Broadway theatre fans felt robbed, too, when they found out that the composer/lyricist/star's vehicle about a song-and-dance gangster would be the last live theatre production staged in 51st Street's opulent showplace, The Mark Hellinger Theatre, after the financially strapped Nederlander Organization sold it to the Times Square Church in 1991.

But those who wish for a glimpse of the splendor of the house that hosted the original Broadway productions of classics like MY FAIR LADY and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and not-so-classics like SARAVA and I'M SOLOMON can get a chance this weekend, as the church presents free performances of OUTSIDE THE INN, an original play with music, on Friday, December 18th at 7pm and Sunday, December 19th at 10am, 3pm and 6pm. All performances will be webcast live.

No names of anyone involved with the production are mentioned on the church's website, which describes the production thus:

Have you ever considered the shepherds outside of Bethlehem may have struggled with issues like us today?
If you were inside the Bethlehem Inn, would you have made room for Mary and Joseph, not knowing who they
were? This production presents to the audience a look at dramatic circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ and living for the benefit of others.

OUTSIDE THE INN begins in present day. A joyful, loving character, Uncle Mark tells the Christmas story to his nieces and nephew as a dramatic tale with songs and adventure. Uncle Mark takes them on a journey through Bethlehem, outside and inside the inn. The Bethlehem Inn is buzzing with excitement when a high ranking Rabbi checks in, occupies more space than he needs and plans for an Old Testament reading for everyone there. The shepherds' lives are riddled with matters relevant to today involving alcoholism, anger and death. It's an engaging story with laughter, sorrow, healing and the celebration of Jesus.

The knock at the door of the Bethlehem Inn is a pivotal moment in the story and the audience is left with an important question? (sic) Will someone make room and let Him in?

Click here for full information on the play.