`NAVIDAD FLAMENCA'

Just when you thought Christmas had been done, artistically speaking, along come Pablo Rodarte and Dance Espana with "Navidad Flamenca," a passionate flamenco interpretation of the Nativity story.

The bilingual "Navidad Flamenca" combines elements of a Spanish Mass with Las Posadas, the New Mexican tradition of lighting the way -- literally to the inn. It is, in the words of one reviewer, "a truly wondrous mystery play."

The same reviewer wrote: "The curtain opened on a tableau that could have been plucked from a Rembrandt painting."

Meg Savlov, one of the creators, has said the show brings the traditional, reverent story down to earth with flamenco.

"We're saying, 'Here are these human beings, Joseph and Mary, who are visited by an angel. How would they feel? What would be their normal human reaction to such an occurrence?'"

The pageant-like production will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University. General admission is $10. Admission is free for Community Concert Association members, Southeast students and children under 12 accompanied by an adult.

Flamenco is an art form that emerged from the religious expressions of the Hindus, Moors, Jews and Gypsies of Southern Spain. It is a natural dialogue between the individual and God and between loved ones.

Rodarte, the artistic director and founder of the company, is not currently dancing in the show he helped create in 1990. He is on the faculty of the University of New Mexico, the only major university offering a degree in dance/flamenco.

One of the production's musical stars is Spaniard Manolo Segura, who sings in the minor tones of the Spanish cantar, reminiscent of the Hebrew cantor. Another is musical director/first guitarist Igor El Ruso, a Russian emigrant who is the head of music and theory at the American Institute of Guitar in New York. He wrote all the music for Navidad Flamenca.

The 14-member company includes both dancers and musicians, including two guitarists, a bassist and percussionist/flutist.

Jon Moxley, the show's producer, general manager and acting coach, said the show creates bridges not only between artistic genres but a multitude of cultures.

"It addresses the universal message of this time of year -- whatever your faith is -- of peace and harmony," he said.