TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Comes To WOB Children's Theater 11/13

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house . . ." is one of the most memorable opening lines in literary history. It is the opening to a poem that has become a staple of the holiday season. For 2010, The Way Off Broadway Children's Theatre has adapted the classic poem into a live action stage presentation. When the show opens on November 13th, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas will become the newest addition to the theatre's Children's Christmas Collection.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas will be the first new children's Christmas production since Way Off Broadway's 2005 world premiere production of Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. After the unbridled success of Mr. Willowby, which was based on Robert Barry's book of the same name, Way Off Broadway's producers had been in search of the next new Christmas show. Since only two entertainment groups, Jim Henson's Muppets and Way Off Broadway, had ever obtained the rights to adapt Barry's book in to live action versions, the theater recognized the need to follow up Mr. Willowby with something just as special.

As the 2009 Christmas season came to an end, The Children's Theatre's creative team decided to add the classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to the 2010 Season. Taking up the task of adapting the well known poem into a stage adaptation was Bill Kiska, Way Off Broadway's Executive Producer.

"Christmas has always been my favorite time of year," says Kiska. "and when I was in school, I made a film of The Night Before Christmas with my brothers and cousins all starring in it. So when the idea came around to bring the show to the stage this year, I knew I wanted to be the one to write it."

Based on the poem, Way Off Broadway does add its own creative flare to the production in the form of a giant singing gingerbread cookie, dancing toys, and a little boy who decides to stay up to meet Santa Claus.
The cast includes Jessica Billones, Sarah Melinda, Jordan Stocksdale, Jeremy Trammelle, and Taylor Whidden, with a special appearance by Santa Claus. Way Off Broadway's production is directed and staged by Susan Thornton with musical direction by Jordan Stocksdale.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas runs November 13, 2010 through January 8, 2011 with performances every Saturday afternoon and the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Special weekday performances have also been added during the run. Ticket are $16 per person.

For more information on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, or the Mainstage production of Christmas Follies: The North Pole Revue, visit www.wayoffbroadway.com or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (301) 662-6600.

Following 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Way Off Broadway will kick off its 2011 Children's Theatre Season with Disney's 101 Dalmatians Kids.

The Children's Theatre is part of The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, a leader in the region's performing arts community since it first opened in 1995. Under the direction of the Kiska Family since 2002, WOB has produced such productions as A Funny Thing . . . Forum, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Oklahoma!, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, The Odd Couple, A Chorus Line, The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Evita, and Cats, as well as the regional and area premieres of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl - The Musical, Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles, the musical comedy The Wedding Singer, Mel Brooks' The Producers, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Located along Route 40 West, the Golden Mile in Frederick, the theatre, in addition to its Mainstage and Children's Theatre, produces a variety of special events throughout the year. Way Off Broadway's 2011 Mainstage Season features The Drowsy Chaperone, Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, Hairspray, Chicago, and Christmas Tidings.

 

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