San Jose Theatre Presents 'Another Night Before Christmas' Nov. 19 - Dec. 20

City Lights Theater Company of San Jose proudly presents the West Coast Premiere of ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - book and lyrics by Sean Grennan, music by Leah Okimoto . The production previews on Thursday, November 19th and Friday, November 20th, 2009, with the Gala Opening Performance on Saturday, November 21st, 2009. A post-show discussion will be held on November 29th. The production is scheduled to run through December 20th, 2009.

ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is the story of burnt-out social worker Karol Elliot, who is having a crisis of Christmas spirit. While heading home on a lonely Christmas Eve, she shares her groceries with a homeless man who decides to rekindle her holiday cheer by breaking into her apartment later that night and insisting that he's Santa Claus. Before long Karol begins to wonder: is this bearded stranger more than what he seems? A delight for the whole family, this witty and tuneful holiday romp is sure to win laughs from anyone who's ever lost - or found - the holiday spirit.

The East Coast based authors, Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto, have also collaborated on A Dog's Life and Married Alive! ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS received its World Premiere at American Heartland Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri during the Holiday season of 2007. The following season it was revived at three different theatres, and this holiday season it will play at five different venues in regional theatres, including this production at City Lights. Grennan and Okimoto pay a little homage to the classic poem from which they draw the title. They consider this piece an expanded, updated, musical version of the classic poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (aka "A Visit From St. Nicholas") by Clement Clark Moore.

Daren A.C. Carollo (Director) Making his City Lights debut, Daren proudly serves as the Artistic Director for Diablo Theatre Company (Formerly DLOC) . Under his leadership, the company has established a new name and mission, improved production quality, almost doubled its earned income and gained recognition as a professional theatre company. Previously, Daren has served as the production manager for Marin Theatre Company and Willows Theatre Company and technical director for Center REP/Lesher Center for the Arts. Daren has been an AEA stage manager for Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Center REP, MTC and the Willows. He received his BA in Theatre from Illinois State University in 1999 with focuses on directing and acting. He has also directed almost forty stage productions in the last seven years including; The Last Five Years, Assassins (Arty Award for best direction), Noises Off (twice), Jekyll and Hyde (East Bay Express Reader's Choice Award) and To Kill a Mockingbird.

THE CAST features two City Lights veterans. Lisa-Marie Newton (THE FULL MONTY, A...MY NAME IS ALICE), is Karol Elliot, a weary social worker beginning what looks to be a lonely holiday, while Michael Johnson, who has been seen onstage in several City Lights shows (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW), as well as musically directing others (ASSASSINS, RAPUNZEL OR HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW), is the homeless man she encounters, and shares her food with. Little does she know, however, that he will decide to repay her kindness by trying to renew and repair her Christmas spirit.

City Lights recognizes its donors, without whom this production would not be possible. ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is supported as a part of City Lights 2009-2010 Season by Arts Council Silicon Valley, the City of San Jose, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and by the contributions of many generous individuals.

City Lights Theater Company of San Jose's production of ANOTHER NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is scheduled to run through December 20th, 2009. Please call the City Lights Box Office at 408-295-4200 for tickets or more information.

Run time: 2 hours, 15 minutes with one intermission
City Lights Theater Company
529 South Second St.
San Jose, CA 95112
Box Office (408) 295-4200 * www.cltc.org