Oak Park Festival Theatre Presents 9th Annual MIDWINTER'S TALES

Oak Park Festival Theatre is in the midst of "the most BUSIEST time of the year," presenting their 9th annual Midwinter's Tales: Sweet Home December on Saturday, December 5, 2015. That may not be grammatically correct, but in our Oak Park area community it most certainly all too true. Before this busy, breathless season spins us dizzy and, well, nigh demented, for nine years Oak Park Festival Theatre and Prevail, now an integral part of Housing Forward, have offered an evening to collect our friends as well as our wits in their annual family friendly presentations which have become an Oak Park and environs traditional launch for the merry mayhem of this month of Advent, Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanza and general rejoicing as the old year turns.

The tradition began nine years ago when Prevail was The Walk In Ministry and they and Festival Theatre came together to present a concert reading of Belinda Bremner's play with music, Mrs. Coney. As word spread about this unique holiday event and audiences grew, the third and fourth years of the Mrs. Coney productions were held in the landmark Unity Temple. This remained the site of our event when the program shifted to Midwinter's Tales. Each year Festival Theatre Artistic, Associate Belinda Bremner, creates and directs a brand new evening. Each of the Tales blend poetry, prose, and songs that are silly, serious, satirical, and sacred - all which capture the magic of the season no matter your age or spirit. The pieces are presented by the professional actors of Festival Theatre and also by gifted and generous area residents of all ages.

This unique blending of talents and traditions, all new in each annual incarnation, perfectly captures the gracious, inclusive spirit of our community. To our knowledge nothing quite like our annual Midwinter's Tales exists anywhere else.

The proceeds from this remarkable benefit go towards the vital programs of Housing Forward and Festival Theatre, two distinctive and distinguished area agencies impacted by drastic cuts in our state's budget.
We encourage new guests and year after year regulars to make plans to be with us to welcome the season Saturday, December 5, at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301. A pre-performance seasonal organ concert by Alan Hommerding will greet guests as they arrive starting at 6:30 p.m. and Midwinter's Tales: Sweet Home December begins at 7:00 p.m. The evening continues in the Grace Episcopal Parish Hall with a holiday reception hosted by Housing Forward's Prevail.

This year's theme, to honor Prevail's inclusion into Housing Forward, is entitled "Sweet Home December." The universal traditions of generous hospitality are honored in the works of sacred teachings as well as the works of such diverse artists as Harry Belefonte, e.e. cummings, Delia Ephron, Neil Gaimen, Kenneth Graham, Patrick Kavanagh, Claude McKay, and Derek Walcott. This year's program, among so many diverse and complimentary selections includes Artistic Director Jack Hickey and his wife, Torry, sharing with their grandsons the traditional warmth of Wind In The Willows and also Kevin Theis and his family presenting James Thurber's 1927 take on the immortal "A Visit From Saint Nicholas (In the Ernest Hemingway Manner)."Joining Oak Park Festival Theatre Artistic Associates Tony Dobrowolski, Jack Hickey, Lavina Jadwanhi, Mary Michell, Mark Richard, and Kevin Theis are Festival Theatre alumni Beth Anne O'Reilly Amandes, Paul Amandes, Paul and Linus Engelhardt, Torry Hickey, Sara Nichols, Bobby, Jackie and Joey Tansey, Gwen Theis, and Edwin Wald as well as members of our partner The Viola Project, Elisa Perrone, Skyler Schrempp, and Maud and David Tabak.

Our tradition is to invite our neighbors and friends to join in the performance and this year we welcome Lascelles Anderson, Mike Cramer, Doug Deuchler, Harlene Ellin, Ade Onayemi, Georga Parchem, Diane Stanke, Romiesha Taylor, and Rhea Yap. Choral music is provided by The Unity Temple Singers under the direction of Martha Swisher. The program is, as always, created and directed by Belinda Bremner.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2015 Location: Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Performance: 7:00 PM
Reception: Immediately following the performance
Tickets: $30 General Admission, $25 Senior, $10 for Students. Children under 13 are FREE.
Add $5 when tickets are purchased AT THE DOOR.
Tickets are available at: Oak Park Visitors' Center, 1010 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301 OR on-line at oakparkfestival.com OR by phone at 708.445.4440 OR at the door on December 5, 2015.

2015 has been a wonderful year for us. We've made new friends and are beginning to invest in our future - we couldn't do this without your continued support.. But as you know all too well, box office revenues account for only a small portion of the funds needed. With ticket prices kept friendly for every budget and free admission for all under 13, we rely on the generosity of our audiences to continue our dynamic community dialogue.

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