THE CHRISTMAS REVELS

In 1907 immigration from Europe to the new world of the United States was at a peak. The Irish formed a significant part of this relocation, bringing with them their unique culture of poetry, dance and music plus a powerful instinct for survival. This year's Christmas Revels puts us on the deck of R.M.S. Carpathia as the hopeful émigrés create a wild and memorable Christmas at sea. With a powerful chorus, blazing jigs and reels, bold and lively children, fantastic stories, the best of Irish dancers and all the magical Revels touchstones like the joyous and participatory Lord of the Dance, this promises to be a very special Christmas at Sanders Theatre! Performers in the 42nd annual Christmas Revels include a talented 60-member chorus of adults and children, a teriffic Irish band featuring legendary piper Paddy Keenan (ex the Bothy Band), guitarist Mark Roberts and fiddler Sheila Falls Keohane, musician and song leader David Coffin, Steven Barkhimer, Billy Meleady, soloist Mary Casey, the thrilling O'Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance, plus old friends, the Pinewoods Morris Men and Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble. Our talented Christmas Revels design team includes Jeremy Barnett, Set Design; Heidi A. Hermiller, Costume Design; Jeff Adelberg, Lighting Design; William Winn, Sound Design. Gillian Stewart, choreographer.