Chelsea Opera to Present BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT, Featuring Deborah Voigt, 12/20

Metropolitan Opera star Deborah Voigt is the special guest in Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity. Chelsea Opera joins forces with Kindred Spirits, Inc. to present this fresh and dramatic telling of the Christmas story. WQXR's Terrance McKnight and WBGO's Sheila Andersonco-host this 30th anniversary production of Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity, featuring jazz greats Ingrid Jensen, Steve Wilson, Wycliffe Gordon, and 93-year-old Latin congo player, Candido. Performances take place at Christ and St. Stephen's Church, 120 West 69th Street in NYC, on Sunday, December 20 at 5 pm and 8 pm. Tickets range from $25 to $50, available online and at the door (cash/check only).

Bending Towards the Light tells the story of the nativity with music from beginning to end, including well-known carols combined with original songs composed by Anne Phillips and additional music and lyrics by Dave and Iola Brubeck, Bob Kindred, and Henry Timm. The brilliantly-costumed Three Kings and an introduction written by Charles Kuralt make for a moving holiday experience for the entire family.

About Anne Phillips

Anne Phillips' career has covered almost every area of the music business, from singer and choral arranger to conductor. Ms. Phillips is widely known in the industry as the writer, arranger, and producer of national commercials. Her discography includes several solo albums as well as collaborations with such old friends as Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland.

A believer in the healing power of music, Ms. Phillips is the founder of Kindred Spirits, Inc., a non-profit organization which includes a Children's Jazz Choir, instrumental in introducing inner-city children to the Great American Songbook.