Breckenridge Backstage Theatre to Present A ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS; Launches New Locals Discount Program!

This month, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre invites audiences to enter a world of community, mirth, and song as it presents the world premiere of A Rocky Mountain Christmas, a heartwarming show set in Breckenridge in the days of yore.

This production continues Backstage Theatre's commitment to telling the stories of Summit County, both past and present. A Rocky Mountain Christmas is the theatre company's fourth original MainStage show in the past five years that focuses on the local area.

"We are really proud to present stories by and for the people who live and play in our region," says Artistic Director Christopher Willard, who co-wrote A Rocky Mountain Christmas with Jamie Patti.

A Rocky Mountain Christmas also marks the beginning of a new ticket discount program for locals called "20 for $20." Backstage Theatre has set aside twenty $20 tickets for residents of Summit and Park counties for every performance of its next four shows (A Rocky Mountain Christmas, Oddville + smART STANDUP, Forbidden Broadway, & Totally Awesome 80s Ski Town USA). These tickets are available for advanced purchase using the promo code 20for$20 at 970-547-3100 or backstagetheatre.org. 48 hours before each performance, any remaining $20 tickets become full price.

In A Rocky Mountain Christmas, a surprise snow storm brings together the community in 1881 for a makeshift Christmas Eve celebration, attended by the "snow shoe preacher" himself, Father John Lewis Dyer.

"I'm a history buff, so diving into the story of Breckenridge during this second wave of gold and silver discovery held great interest for me," says Willard, who also is directing the show. "As soon as we created characters to help drive the story, I got swept away with their journeys and the joy of their interactions with each other."

Dyer figures prominently as a character and played an important role in Breckenridge in the 19th century. In December 1881-when the show takes place-he had suddenly retired from the church, was "essentially a shepherd without a flock," according to Willard, and was seeking a fitful peace homesteading up at Indiana Gulch (on Boreas Mountain). No sooner had he built his retirement cabin than the infamous Angels Rest saloon moved right next door.

Dyer, the old temperance warrior, went to battle with his flashy and noisy saloon-owning neighbor, Jerry Krigbaum. At the same time, Dyer was also wrestling with his own internal demons involving his favored son, a wound five years fresh that had yet to heal, and these matters weighed heavy on his heart this particular Christmas Eve in Breckenridge.

Local history buffs will also recognize Judge Marshel Silverthorn-owner of the Breckenridge Hotel-as another historical figure in the show.

Willard says that the characters-both those real and fictional-represent a microcosm of 19th century Breckenridge and its diversity and passion.

Helping to transport audiences to another time and place are costume designers Beth Fisk and Crystal Goossen, lighting designer Sean Mallary, sound designer Chris Gavin, and property designer Terry Green. Musical staging is by Abbey Austin, and music direction and accompaniment are by Jeff Dixon, who also is in the cast.

Says Willard, "Audiences will feel as if they've traveled back in time for an authentic Victorian Breckenridge Christmas."

IF YOU GO:

A ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

When: December 14-29, 2017

Where: Breckenridge Theater, 121 S. Ridge Street

Tickets: backstagetheatre.org or 970-547-3100

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