Theatre Horizon Presents Voices of Christmas, Previews Tonight

Theatre Horizon continues its holiday show tradition with Voices of Christmas, an evening of songs and stories directed by Theatre Horizon's Resident Director and Barrymore Award winner Matthew Decker. Families are invited to escape the winter weather with Philadelphia's best musical theatre talent as they celebrate the light, peace and joy of the season.

Voices of Christmas is Theatre Horizon's latest musical offering, following last season's smash hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which was recently awarded four Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. Voices of Christmas director, Matthew Decker, won for Outstanding Direction of a Musical and the cast of Spelling Bee garnered the Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical award. Two members of Spelling Bee's ensemble return this December to propel Theatre Horizon's goal of bringing high-caliber musical theatre to Norristown.

Audiences of all ages can expect new takes on classic holiday tales as well as modern acts of compassion and charity. "The process of creating this show started with a closer examination of how we as a culture celebrate the holiday season. We searched for written and verbal accounts to put in the show that depict our traditions, our family gatherings, our shopping routines, our new year's resolutions and highlight our emotional experiences." says Decker.

Stories will be accompanied by an eclectic mix of songs including nods to traditional Christmas carols and tunes by popular artists such as John Lennon, Patty Griffin, Joni Mitchell, Sufjan Stevens, Irving Berlin, Ingrid Michaelson, Craig Carnelia and many others. "Music is an integral part of the holiday celebration. It has the ability to instantly transport us back to the moment we first heard it. Holiday music in particular has a powerful resonance, for we all have personal memories attached to favorite carols," adds Decker.

The cast of Voices of Christmas welcomes Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Maggie Lakis back to Theatre Horizon's stage. Clemons-Hopkins played Mitch Mahoney, the Comfort Counselor, in the Barrymore Award winning ensemble of Spelling Bee and has also appeared recently at the Walnut Street Theatre and 11th Hour Theatre Company. Maggie Lakis last appeared as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, a co-production with Theatre Horizon and 11th Hour Theatre Company, a role that earned her a Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical. Lakis has also appeared on many of the area's stages with credits at the Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company and Act II Playhouse. Making their Theatre Horizon debuts are Caroline Dooner (Sunday in the Park with George, Arden Theatre Company) and Ben Michael (Miss Saigon and Fiddler on the Roof, Walnut Street Theatre). Helping Decker to shape the musical sound of the evening is Music Director Jamison Forman (Fiddler on the Roof, Walnut Street Theatre, Act a Lady, Azuka Theatre Company) and Barrymore Award winner Amanda Morton (Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical, Spelling Bee), who serves as the Music Supervisor.

The ensemble will be taking on a variety of characters and roles, often playing musical instruments. Decker cites, "These artists are not only extraordinary singers and musicians, but also brilliant storytellers. Shaping this evening with their talents in mind has been inspiring and exhilarating."

Tickets for Voices of Christmas may be purchased through the Theatre Horizon box office by calling 610-283-2230 or online at www.TheatreHorizon.org. Box office hours are Tuesdays - Saturdays from 12noon - 5pm. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of 8 or more.

Theatre Horizon concludes its seventh season with Paula Vogel's most striking and emotional Pulitzer Prize winning drama, How I Learned To Drive running April 5-29, 2012.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Preview performances begin December 9 and run through December 15 with a special post-show talk back on Sunday, December 11. Norristown residents can receive a $10 ticket with proof of residency on Norristown Night, December 14. Industry Night is scheduled for December 26. The show concludes on December 31 with a late night New Years Eve show at 9:30 pM. Ring in the New Year at Theatre Horizon with light fare and a live feed of the ball drop in Times Square.

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