Miss Richfield 1981's THE CHRISTMAS CONE OF SILENCE Comes to Illusion Theater Tonight

Fresh from her world tour, Miss Richfield 1981 returns to her home state and opens her 16th annual holiday show, THE CHRISTMAS CONE OF SILENCE tonight, December 4 at the Illusion Theater. On stage through December 20, the Midwestern maven sets off discussions on all forbidden topics - family problems, medical issues, politics, religion - in this new no-holds-barred production.

The holiday tradition continues with Miss Richfield's unique combination of down-to-earth sensibilities and off-the-page humor. After basking in the glory as Richfield's 2015 Gene & Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen, Miss Richfield 1981 asked, "What's next?" Learning to play the piano wasn't enough. The question prompted her to wonder how she could help Minnesota - and getting her fellow citizens to open up was just the answer. When she lowers the Cone of Silence, anything goes! The Christmas Cone of Silence offers riotous videos, twisted sing-a-longs, audience interaction and a few holiday surprises.

Miss Richfield 1981's The Christmas Cone of Silence is directed by Michael Robins, Illusion's co-producing director, and features pianist Todd Emanuel Price. Lighting design is by Mike Wangen.

The Christmas Cone of Silence is at the Illusion Theater on the 8th floor of the Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave. in downtown Minneapolis. Ticket prices begin at $32. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more people. Tickets are available at the Illusion Theater Box Office at 612-339-4944 or online at www.illusiontheater.org.

Performance Calendar:

Friday, December 4 @ 8:00PM - Opening Night

Saturday, December 5@ 8:00PM

Sunday, December 6 @ 7:00PM

Thursday, December 10 @ 8:00PM

Friday, December 11 @ 8:00PM

Saturday, December 12 @ 8:00PM

Sunday, December 13 @ 7:00PM - Audio-described performance

Thursday, December 17 @ 8:00PM

Friday, December 18 @ 8:00PM

Saturday, December 19 @ 8:00PM - ASL performance

Sunday, December 20 @ 7:00PM - Closing

About Miss Richfield 1981 - After an impromptu idea of spicing up a friend's party, Russ King took his beauty queen creation of Miss Richfield 1981 to the stage in February 1996, and began performing at Twin Cities' bars and benefits. His cabaret career started one year later at the Bryant Lake Bowl Cabaret in Minneapolis. He and his alter ego have been recognized as one of the Twin Cities' most creative artists and runner-up for "Artist of the Year" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He has performed annually on Illusion's stage since 1996 and performs each summer in Provincetown, Mass., as well as taking his show throughout the country to cabarets and theaters, private and corporate functions, and Atlantis Events cruises and resort vacations.

About Illusion Theater - Since the Illusion Theater's beginning in 1974, Producing Directors Michael Robins and Bonnie Morris have used the power of theater to catalyze personal and social change, illuminating the illusions, myths, and realities of our times. In 40 years, Illusion has generated over 500 plays, developed thousands of artists and created ground-breaking educational works. Plays developed at Illusion have been produced in theaters throughout the world. Illusion's work has catalyzed conversations in living rooms, kitchens, coffee houses, schools and board rooms, and has led to transformations in policy, in organizations and in individuals.

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