Revels Houston Presents Christmas Revels- Celebration of the Winter Solstice

Revels Houston presents its 21st annual production of The Christmas Revels, this year transporting audiences to early 19th century Bavaria and the surrounding regions for a Yuletide celebration. Six performances will take place over two weekends, December 10-11 and December 17-18.

Revels Houston invites its audience on a journey to discover the roots of many modern winter holiday traditions. The show will celebrate Nordic and German traditions with music ranging from inspiring chorales to hearty sing-alongs, dance and storytelling.

"So many of our modern holiday rituals can be traced to the Nordic/German Yuletide customs," executive director Peggy Curtis said, "and we are looking forward to the Houston premier of the Bavarian show."

Each year, The Christmas Revels production highlights a different culture, and the show always includes morris dancing and a mummers play. It is lively fun as the audience is invited to join the cast and to dance out into the lobby for The Lord of the Dance, Revels' signature piece and a highpoint of every performance.

PERFORMANCES
Saturday, December 10, 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 17, 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 18, 2:30 p.m.

Performances are held at University of Houston campus at the Wortham Theater in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, Entrance 16, Building 507. Directions and parking information at www.revelshouston.org.

Tickets may be purchased beginning Monday, October 3 at www.revelshouston.org or through the Revels Houston box office at 713-668-3303. Early priority ticketing for donors of $75 or more is available now. Group discounts are available.

Revels Houston is also pleased to announce their new stage director Brian Hamlin. Hamlin is a Houston-based actor and director. He has performed with several companies, including the Alley, Main Street, Stages Repertory Theatres, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre and Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival.

Hamlin is a professor of acting at San Jacinto College Central in Pasadena, Texas. He has also taught graduate and undergraduate classes at the University of Houston and has been a guest lecturer at Texas A&M University and University of Central Arkansas. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Houston's Professional Theatre Training Program in 2009.

"I have enjoyed working with Revels Houston for the last two years as an actor and choreographer," Hamlin said. "Returning as stage director, I hope to exceed expectations as Revels does for the public every year."

Rebecca Vaughn returns as music director for this year's performance. Vaughn has worked with Revels Houston for five years, starting by directing the children's chorus. Vaughn also directs four choirs and teaches music theory at Pearland High School.

"We are so fortunate to have Rebecca on board," Curtis said. "She has done a wonderful job year after year."

ABOUT REVELS HOUSTON:
Revels Houston is a community-based, nonprofit performing arts organization committed to the preservation of multi-cultural traditions through family-oriented productions, celebrations and educational outreach programs. Cultural traditions are celebrated through the medium of music, dance and drama. Revels Houston is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. www.revelshouston.org.

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