AN EVENING WITH DONNER AND BLITZEN to Play Contemporary Theater Company

The Contemporary Theater Company is bringing all the Christmas cheer this season with An Evening with Donner and Blitzen. Artistic Director Christopher Simpson and Amelia Giles star in this show full of carols, original songs, and a heartwarming story! The show runs from December 2 to 23.

Alongside Tyler Brown as the deadpan piano accompanist, Simpson and Giles play Donner and Blitzen, a variety duo who come together for a Christmas show every year. We follow them through years of Christmases as their lives and the times change.

The new work is written by the Contemporary Theater Company's playwright-in-residence Andy Hoover, with original music by Brandon Michael Lowden.

"There's something constant about the Christmas holiday that's both extremely charming and -- to me, anyway -- very soothing," says Hoover.

This is Hoover's third Christmas show for the company, and sixth play produced at the CTC. Lowden has also written a Christmas show for the CTC, and both write annually for the company's 24-Hour Play Festival.

"For many folks, including characters in this play, Christmas is about homecoming," says Lowden. "I am always gladdened to be welcomed back into the open arms of the CTC community, my artistic home away from home."

The small cast means the show has an intimate feeling, bringing the audience into the lives of the characters. Simpson and Giles have worked together on dozens of shows, and are both members of the Contemporary Theater Company's caroling group each holiday season.

"Amelia Giles is one of the most experienced (and beloved) actors in our community, with more CTC stage appearances than anyone," says Simpson. "I'm delighted to be freely playing with her and the immensely skilled Tyler Brown in these rehearsals, bringing joy and excitement to the season."

In addition to An Evening with Donner and Blitzen, the Contemporary Theater Company will perform a family show on Saturdays in December before Christmas with improv, fun activities, and songs, all with a holiday theme.

An Evening with Donner and Blitzen performance dates: Dec 2-3, 9-10, 15-17, 18 (2 pm), 23 at 7 pm. For more information, visit contemporarytheatercompany.com. The Contemporary Theater Company is located at 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.