Directed by Morris, North Star is brimming with popular music. There’s “Boogie Wonderland,” the Earth, Wind & Fire R&B song rearranged in the style of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” and a jazzed-up version of “We Three Kings.” A couple of country and western tunes make it into the score with Tim McGraw’s “Mary and Joseph” and Taylor Swift’s “Mary’s Song.” Gospel tunes include Marvin Winans and Andraé Crouch’s “Let the Church Say Amen” and Whitney Houston’s version of “Joy to the World” from The Preacher’s Wife. Cast members for The North Star include LaShanna Leonard, Samantha West and Werner Richmond (Richmond and Adrian Washington also recorded the soundtrack). The North Star is the first work by Ekundayo Bandele to be performed by the Ensemble Theatre, but Morris and company are already in talks with the playwright to produce another of his plays.
7:30 p.m. 3535 Main. For information, call 713-520-0055 or visit ensemblehouston.com. $25.
Tue., Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m., 2014
