The Christmas Spider at Lowry Lab Theater

The work is based on a Ukrainian folktale about a poor woodcutter and his children who face eviction on Christmas Eve.  With little to eat, they resolve to have a joyous holiday, as the father reminds the children that “We don’t have much but each other.  Each other is so much.”  The children convince their father to cut down a small tree for them to decorate.  The tree is home to a large spider which brings the family a Christmas miracle and reminds them of the power of kindness and giving.

The original folktale is credited with the tradition of decorating Christmas trees with tinsel and adding spider ornaments at New Year for good luck.