‘The Birth of Jesus’ to be performed

WEIRTON — The Morning Star Baptist Church will present “The Birth of Jesus,” an original production of “A Christmas Story,” in narration and song at 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at the church, located at 3124 Weir Ave.

The Morning Star Baptist Church ensemble will perform the singing, according to organizers, who noted a free-will offering will be taken.

Guest soloist will be soprano Bonnie Slemmer. The production was written by Linda Ross Brown.

The event is open to the public.

Mine workers to hold meeting

HOPEDALE — The United Mine Workers of America Local No. 1304 and Local No. 1360 will hold a regular meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hopedale American Legion, located at 48225 Rabbit Road in Hopedale.

Breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m.

‘The Nutcracker,’ Pittsburgh style

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater will perform the time-honored holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 5-28 at the Benedum Center.

Set in turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh, Terrence Orr’s version highlights the city’s landmarks, sports teams and history. 

This current production follows Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on an unforgettable adventure into the Land of Enchantment. Hundreds of colorful characters are featured. Audiences who attend the ballet can expect to experience a journey of five scenes, more than 100 artists from the professional company and PBT School, Pittsburgh celebrity guest star appearances in Act l, 30 sleight-of-hand tricks created by a professional magician, a full-stage battle with sword fighting, 150 costumes, 1,500 costume accessories, falling snow and a Christmas tree that grows to 15 times its size.

“‘The Nutcracker’ is a remarkable classic ballet,” stated Adam McKinney, artistic director of the PBT. “With its beautiful music and endearing story, this ballet offers an unforgettable way to experience the holiday season with loved ones.”

Various versions of “The Nutcracker” have been performed at the theater since its inception in 1969. The current Pittsburgh-based version, choreographed and conceived by Orr, a former PBT artistic director, has been staged for 23 years. The annual production features Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic score, as well as costume and set designs by Emmy-winning designer Zack Brown.

There will be 21 performances throughout the month. A schedule of dates and times can be found at pbt.org/performances/nutcracker.

A sensory-friendly performance for audiences with autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivities or other individualized needs at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. This family-inclusive, relaxed performance is open to all and provides a judgment-free zone where theater staff and patrons accept and expect extra sound or movement in the audience. Adaptations during these shows include house lights set to 20 percent brightness, lowered sound levels, relaxed house rules where guests are free to move around and enter or exit the theater as needed.

Opera benefit concert set

STEUBENVILLE — An Italian Opera benefit concert to raise money for the nonprofit Homeward Bound of Steubenville, will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Sycamore Youth Center, located at 301 N. Fourth St. Soprano Shelley Jackson will be accompanied by pianist Sadie Hoyt. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting eventbrite.com.

Live Nativity set for Dec. 14

WINTERSVILLE — The 14th-annual Live Nativity at Starkdale Presbyterian Church is scheduled to be held beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14. The presentation will be repeated six times, taking place every half-hour. The final performance will start at 7:30 pm. The Live Nativity is an indoor/outdoor production about the birth of Jesus, followed by an opportunity to pet the animals, meet the cast and enjoy refreshments in the fellowship hall. The pastor of Starkdale, the Rev. Carl Moore, will be present to welcome and visit with guests following the event.

Officials announced this is one of the ways the church can share the gift of Jesus with the community during the Christmas season. The journey begins at the Bethlehem Inn, held indoors. Guests will be greeted by the inn keepers, who explain they have no room due to an order made by Caesar Augustus that each person must register in his hometown for the census. The inn keepers will explain they just turned away a young couple, who is expecting a child. Along with the inn keepers, centurion guards and tax collectors will be on hand to make sure every person registers and pays taxes, per the order of Augustus.

Guests are summoned by a shepherd and led through the streets of Bethlehem, which will be the church hallway, and led into a field (the church sanctuary,) where another shepherd will begin the narration about the birth of Christ.

Officials said an angel will then appear to the crowd and sing, “Mary Did You Know?” The angel is joined by a myriad of angels — the Starkdale Choir — with heavenly voices. Attendees will be led outside to the nativity scene of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

Angels, shepherds and animals will be at the manger. The angels will continue the narration and lead the crowd in singing Christmas carols. The Three Kings make an appearance as they bear gifts to the guests in attendance. Following the nativity scene, guests will be led into the fellowship hall and treated to homemade cookies and hot drinks prepared by the Starkdale congregation.

To accommodate guests, a shuttle van service will be offered, with additional parking in the lot behind McDonald’s and Trinity Express Care. For information about the presentations or Starkdale activities, contact the church office at (740) 264-5309 or visit starkdale.org or its Facebook page. The event is free of charge.