TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS to Open 11/29 at Virginia Rep

Virginia Repertory Theatre opens Twas the Night Before Christmas on Friday, November 29 at the Children's Theatre of Virginia at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. The show will run through December 29, 2013 with added weekday matinees during the holiday season. The original book, music, and lyrics are by Bruce Craig Miler, Artistic Director of Virginia Repertory Theatre, and are based on the true story of how Clement C. Moore came to write his immortal poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas. The show lasts about one hour and is best enjoyed by children three years and older.

Director Jan Guarino considers the show to be a special holiday treat. "Twas the Night Before Christmas is a sparkling jewel of a show for young and old! It tells the story of the making of that infamous poem and is sure to warm your hearts and put you into the holiday spirit. Beautiful sets and costumes, wonderful singing and perhaps even a visit from Santa! Just what you need to get your holidays started!!" Guarino most recently directed and was seen on stage in Richard Scarry's Busytown. Other directing credits for Virginia Rep include They're Playing Our Song, Where's Charley?, Barefoot in the Park and The Wizard of Oz. Recent acting credits at Virginia Rep include Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and God of Carnage.

P.J. Freebourn returns to the Children's Theatre of Virginia in the role of Clement C. Moore. Freebourn was a favorite this past summer as Lowly Worm in Busytown. Audrey Snyder returns to Virginia Rep after a five-year hiatus as Clement's wife, Eliza Moore, and Jessi Johnson joins the cast as Diana Mouse. Rounding out the company are 5th graders Sophia Bunnell and Audrey Kate Taylor alternating as daughter Charity Moore and Laney Yoo and Adelaide O'Connor splitting the role of daughter Margaret.

Brunch with Santa and Snow Bear will take place following the 10:30 matinee on Saturday, November 30, December 7 and December 21. On Saturday, December 14 the theatre will serve a holiday tea after the 2:00 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $15 and include a light meal, activities, visit with Snow Bear and Santa and sing along. Call 282- 2620 for brunch or tea reservations.

Box Office 804-282-2620 www.va-rep.org. Full Price Tickets: $20. Discounted Group Rates available. Performances at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and select weekday matinees at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at 7:00 .pm.

Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia's leading professional theatre company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals including classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theatre to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep's Children's Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and Virginia Rep's Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern.