SPECIAL EVENTS

Revels Houston presents its 20th annual production of The Christmas Revels, this year focusing on the traditions and legends of the Celts.  A Celtic Celebration of the Winter Solstice will draw from songs, dance, poetry, myths, stories and games of the Celtic regions of Europe, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and England.

Six performances will take place over two weekends, December 11-12 and December 18-19, on the University of Houston campus in the Wortham Theater, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Tickets are on sale online at www.revelshouston.org,  or through the Revels Houston box office at 713-668-3303.

“We wanted to do something special for our 20th anniversary,” said Revels Houston’s artistic director Beth Sanford. “We looked at a lot of scripts and finally decided the best thing to do would be to revive a show we did 13 years ago. Plus, the Celtic show was one of the most popular productions we’ve ever done.”

The production will include as much of the original cast as possible. It will also involve several guest performers, including the Erin Cass Dance Company.

“We’re so fortunate to have the Irish step dancers this year,” Sanford said. “The talent, skill, physical strength and time it takes to learn and perform the steps required is amazing - very impressive.”

Revels Houston interactive performances feature the song, dance, musical and storytelling traditions of diverse cultures. While each Christmas Revels production is focused on the music and traditions of a different culture, certain elements remain constant from year to year. For instance, the Morris dances and a Mummers play are always included, and the first act of every performance traditionally ends with the cast and the audience joining hands and dancing their way out of the theater.

Sanford has been with Revels for 19 years and only missed the production of one show. “For me, it’s a challenge to see if I can do it better each year,” she said. “It keeps me on my toes.”

Revels Houston’s music director, Rebecca Vaughn, is equally enthusiastic about this year’s production. She is especially excited about the unique combination of musicians --the Paragon Brass Ensemble, the Revels Chorus and Istanpitta, an ensemble of musicians who play early instruments. Also in the mix will be bagpipe player E.J. Jones and early-music artists Al Cofrin and Kristen Jensen. “Normally, we don’t bring in as many outside performers. That’s what will really make this show stand out,” she said.

“I’m a huge Celtic music fan,” Vaughn added. “Celtic music can be very beautiful and relaxing, but then there are numbers that are exhilarating, fun and full of life. It’s a great mix and it’s going to be an exceptional show.”

This production will mark Vaughn’s second year as music director and her fourth year with Revels. She said she enjoys the way Revels breaks the barrier between audience and cast. “The audience is as much a part as the people on stage. That’s the magic of Revels,” she said.

PERFORMANCES
Saturday, December 11, 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 12, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 18, 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 19, 2:30 p.m.

ABOUT REVELS HOUSTON:
Revels Houston is a community-based, nonprofit performing arts organization committed to the preservation of multi-cultural traditions through family-oriented productions, celebrations and educational outreach programs. Cultural traditions are celebrated through the medium of music, dance and drama.

Revels Houston is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Photo credit: Roger Ide (detail above, full image below).