The Christmas Revels: An Italian Renaissance Winter Celebration

Washington Revels' Popular Holiday Event

Media Contact: Chris Payton, 301-587-3835, cpayton@revelsdc.org

Washington, DC -- Washington Revels presents the 27th annual CHRISTMAS REVELS, December 5-13 at Lisner Auditorium (21st & H Streets, NW, Washington, DC, near Foggy Bottom Metro). Join the acclaimed Revels company (over 75 performers, ages 8-80) as they bring Leonardo da Vinci (the quintessential Renaissance man) to life, along with the Doge of Venice, nobles, craftsmen, townspeople, and all their children to celebrate the turning of the year! Enjoy Leonardo’s art and inventions, Italian holiday traditions, a Roman Saturnalia, and all the magic of the season with glorious music, rousing dance –- and an eclipse of the sun!

Who: Washington Revels
What: The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice
            Italian Renaissance Music, Dance & Drama
When: December 5-13, 2009
            Weekend 1: Sat 12/5 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Sun 12/6 at 2:00pm
            Weekend 2: Fri 12/11 at 7:30pm; Sat 12/12 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm;
                               Sun 12/13 at 1:00pm & 5pm
Where: Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University, 21st & H Streets, NW, Washington, DC7
            (730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, near Foggy Bottom Metro)
Why: Holiday theater at its best -- fun for all ages!

Audience participation is always a key element in Revels. The audience learns carols and rounds both ancient and familiar, and will join in for "The Lord of the Dance," a rousing dance through the aisles of theater. Many of our audience members say this community dance is a high point of their year.

The Christmas Revels plays to packed houses every year, with roughly 10,000 area residents in attendance. The Revels appeal is so great because every show draws on an unbeatable combination of elements: time-honored rituals, traditional dances, folk plays and holiday music performed by a lively and talented cast of adults and children. The celebration of the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, is at the heart of Revels. Despite “Christmas” in the title, this is not a religious pageant, but rather a unique seasonal celebration that is inclusive and meaningful to the community at large, regardless of background.

Special guests include Piffaro, The Renaissance Band, Revels favorites Oran Sandel as Leonardo da Vinci and Morgan Duncan as The Doge of Venice, as well as Emma Jaster -– daughter of Revel’s beloved fool Mark Jaster -– in the role of the Doge’s comic servant, Smeraldina. The Maestro awaits…!

Tickets (on sale October 5): $12-$45.
Purchase online at www.revelsdc.org or call 1-800-595-4849.

Discounts Available:
Youth (18 and under) and groups of 10 or more. (Call 301-587-3835 for group sales)
December 11: Family Friday -- 25% off Youth tickets

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