Xavier Company performed Advent Carol musical drama at St. Stephen's

WARWICK — The parishioners and their guests recently enjoyed a special treat for this Christmas season.
On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, Warwick's Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, played host to the Xavier Company of professional actors for a well attended performance of a musical drama, An Advent Carol.
Admission to the performance was free although donations were welcome.
The Xavier Company is a group of Christian performing artists in residence at St. Francis Xavier Church in New York City.
The professionally trained actors, singers and dancers perform original works focused on themes of faith and social justice.
Founded in 1982, The Xavier Company, renowned for performances that display both spiritual content and artistic excellence, is celebrating its 26th anniversary of performing arts ministry in the tri-state area.
This past spring the Xavier Company also performed the Passion Play, a dramatic presentation of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, at St. Stephen's and the performance, as usual, was very well received.
This recent performance, An Advent Carol, tells the story of the Advent journey from the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus, to the flight into Egypt through drama, song and dance.
The characters of Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Anna, Joachim and Elizabeth are crafted as genuine people who struggle with hopes and dreams, fears and doubts.
The musical drama offers a message of hope and freedom to the alienated and oppressed and stretches beyond the traditional Christmas pageant.
- Roger Gavan