TheatreWorks Presents STRIKING 12 12/28-31

TheatreWorks joins indie-pop trio GrooveLily to usher in the New Year with a special limited engagement of the smash holiday hit STRIKING 12. A rewired version of Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale The Little Match Girl, this clever mix of musical comedy and pop/rock tunes is a sweet, witty concert that's a sure-fire way to ring in the New Year. This audience favorite returns to TheatreWorks for five performances only, including a special New Year's Eve performance at 10pm on the 31st followed by a post-show champagne toast to ring in the New Year! STRIKING 12 plays December 28-31 at TheatreWorks at Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets and information, the public may call 650-463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Can a girl selling light bulbs that cure the blues brighten up a grumpy guy with attitude? Created and performed by alternative rock trio GrooveLily, this illuminating concert fires up the story of a grumpy office worker dead-set upon spending New Year's Eve all by himself. But his plans of solitude are thwarted by an energetic young lady selling mood-boosting yuletide lights whose unyielding holiday spirit warms his heart. Combining classical, rock, folk, jazz, and pop influences in their original song styling, GrooveLily has created a one-of-a kind stage show that is distinctly its own.

Developed at TheatreWorks as a part of the 2003 New Works Initiative, the company gave STRIKING 12 its Northern California premiere in 2004 where it was a sensational hit with critics. STRIKING 12 went on to successful runs Off-Broadway and across the country, and now this audience favorite returns to TheatreWorks. The San Francisco Chronicle gave STRIKING 12 its highest rating, calling it "captivating... the songs are delightful; the lyrics are clever and intelligent," noting "all three performers are terrific...Vigoda and Milburn are magnetic." The San Jose Mercury News stated "GrooveLily has ushered in a very cool yule...so cool that it's hot," declaring "Kudos go to TheatreWorks for this musical cure for the holiday blues. If you can possibly stuff any more activity into your seasonal stocking, ‘Striking 12' is too hot to miss."

TheatreWorks has long enjoyed collaborations with GrooveLily's creative force, Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda, beginning with STRIKING 12 in 2003. More recently, TheatreWorks partnered with Vigoda and Milburn to bring a concert of Sleeping Beauty Wakes in 2010 and the world premiere of their work, Long Story Short, to the Bay Area in December 2008, where it was lauded by critics and audiences alike. At TheatreWorks' 2009 New Works Festival, local crowds got a sneak peek at the group's latest work with Joe DiPietro, Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, a fever dream musical in which exhausted but talented video game score composer Kat hallucinates that the famed Arctic explorer is phoning her from beyond time. The band also tours extensively, and in other arenas, the team has contributed songs for the latest installment in Disney's Tinker Bell films, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

Valerie Vigoda (electric violin, vocals) has toured the world with Cyndi Lauper, Joe Jackson, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and has opened for Tina Turner and Cher. An honors graduate of Princeton University and a former Army lieutenant, Vigoda founded GrooveLily (originally The Valerie Vigoda Band) in 1994, and has seen the band release six critically acclaimed albums. Brendan Milburn (keyboards, vocals), received his MFA in musical theatre from NYU's Musical Theatre Writing Program but was instead drawn into a rock band. His road time with GrooveLily has proven to be a way back into writing musicals. Gene Lewin (drums, vocals), earned a Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music and has appeared on album recordings with George Coleman, John Patitucci, and many others.

With over 8,000 subscribers and 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast from across the country. A home for artists developing new works, it was at TheatreWorks that Memphis, the 2010 Tony Award-winning musical (now beginning its second year on Broadway) was first workshopped and received its world premiere.

WHAT: TheatreWorks joins indie-pop trio GrooveLily to usher in the New Year with a special limited engagement of the smash holiday hit STRIKING 12. A rewired version of Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale The Little Match Girl, this clever mix of musical comedy and pop/rock tunes is a sweet, witty concert that's a sure-fire way to ring in the New Year. The San Francisco Chronicle awarded the show its highest rating, calling it "captivating... magnetic...joyously upbeat!" STRIKING 12 went on to successful runs Off-Broadway and across the country, and now this audience favorite returns to TheatreWorks for five performances only, including a special New Year's Eve performance at 10pm on the 31st.

WHEN: December 28, 7:30pm
December 29, 7:30pm
December 30, 8:00pm
December 31, 6:00pm
December 31, 10:00pm

WHERE: TheatreWorks at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

TICKETS: $56-$75 (a $2 convenience fee will be assessed for online and telephone orders)

INFO: For information or to order tickets call (650) 463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org.

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