Around the back, on the second floor of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City,visitors unexpectedly find the Regent Street Black Box theater, which provides The Sting & Honey Company’s This Bird of Dawning with a brilliant location for a beautiful retelling of the nativity. This Bird of Dawning’s performance will astound with its simple expression of Jesus Christ’s conception, birth, life, and sacrifice. This is something different, something unique amongst the cavalcade of humorous Christmas stories, fun musicals, and the plethora of opportunities to see Mr. Scrooge’s redemption – all of which are much-needed reminders of the spirit of Christmas in many other venues. This Bird of Dawning captures the solemnity and grandeur of Christmas in a way nothing else will this season.
There is no spoken dialogue between actors. The costuming is plain, with a predominantly white motif. Fabric is employed as an instrument of storytelling. The individual faces of performers are stripped from them by masks. The actors must therefore rely on their abilities to physically emote. Every gesture, every movement, and every step on stage bears with it a symbolic, intense meaning that continues to build as the story unfolds. Often accompanied by music and poetry, This Bird of Dawning exudes a vision that balances the line between art and dance.
When Rain Tanner (Mary) and River Knight (Joseph) meet on stage for the first time, their exchange of vows and their intent to be married are lovely and poignant. When Ben Mortenson (Angel) introduces himself to Mary, explaining her purpose as the Mother of God, and Mary accepts this calling,the silent profundity of this moment is captured with radiant clarity. Vignettes like these continue to grow until the tableau of Mary giving birth to the Christ child materializes in the center of the stage. The sudden brief stillness stands as a testament to Mary’s legacy. The words of poetry that accompany this scene are some of the most profound on childbearing and motherhood that I have ever heard. In the end, Mortenson emerges as Christ to perform miracles, to be crucified – in one of the most gorgeous theatrical representations of the crucifixion and resurrection.
Javen Tanner (Creator and Director) is an artist. The visionary statement he has called This Bird of Dawning represents his own belief in Jesus Christ’s birth and centers profoundly on His Mother’s experience. The fact that audiences continue to request that The Sting & Honey Company produce This Bird of Dawning year after year demonstrates how much Tanner’s vision resonates with others.
The Sting & Honey Company evokes the Christmas season with a tenderness worthy of admiration. The passion of the performers needs to be lauded. This Bird of Dawning is a production you need to see to feel Christmas in a way you have never felt before.
The Sting & Honey Company presents This Bird of Dawning by Javen Tanner
Regent Street Black Box, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, 131 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
December 20-21, 7:30 PM. Dec 21, 2:00 PM
Tickets: $15
Contact: 801-355-2787
This Bird of Dawning Facebook Event
Sting and Honey Website
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