Pacific Theatre presents CHRISTMAS PRESENCE

"It's the family dinner where everyone suddenly brings an instrument out and we all start jamming." Pacific Theatre's thirty third annual Christmas Presence brings light, love and music to the stage as a group of musicians and actors convene on the night of the show to tell stories, share songs, and celebrate the season. "It's the un-slickest Christmas show in town," says director Ron Reed, who co-ordinates and (loosely) curates the order of events. "Where else can you hear the work of David Sedaris, Stuart McLean, and Madeline L'Engle all in one night?"

Titled First Christmas when it debuted in 1984, Christmas Presence allows local artists to share in the joy of creation on stage. Singers, songwriters, musicians and storytellers sing traditional (and not-so-traditional) songs and improvise together to create a magical, inviting spell. "Christmas just wouldn't be the same without Christmas Presence," says performer and musical director Nelson Boschman, who has been attending the show since 1996.

With a diverse array of musicians and actors every night, the show is a new delight every time. This year's performers include Carolyn Arrends, Nelson Boshman, The Kwerks, Zaac Pick, Michael Hart, Garth Bowen, Allen Desnoyers, Rachel Button, Breanne McDaniel, Jon Ochsendorf, Brett Ziegler, Chris Hawley, Becca Robertson, Peter Abando, Rick Colhoun, John Voth and others.

The show will also be running in the Fraser Valley at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford on Sunday, December 17th. Tickets are available at pacifictheatre.org, or at the door.