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The Christmas Revels 2004 --
A Mid-Winter's Tale of the King and the Fool

For more information, contact Juli Musgrave:
jmusgrave@revelsdc.org, 202-723-7528 or 301-523-9038

December 3rd - 5th and 10th - 12th at Lisner Auditorium

Set in an ancient time, our 22nd Christmas Revels is a mid-winter's tale of the King and the Fool, sparkling with the music of Hildegard von Bingen, brilliant brass arrangements and the virtuoso playing of the world renowned early music ensemble Piffaro on period instruments. The festivities include the revelry of our 85-person company: adult, teen and children's choruses, morris and sword dancing, processions, a seriously light-hearted mummer's play; and -- as always -- a chance for the audience to sing and dance along as we mark the "shortest day" and the rebirth of the year at the winter solstice.

In the spirit of the old epic sagas, our tale finds the King and his subjects celebrating a midwinter's feast, reveling in song and pageantry within the secure walls of the royal castle. But their celebration is interrupted by the sudden arrival of a mysterious shadow knight, who confronts the King with a daunting challenge. The old year loses its power and must "die" to give way to the new: can the king hold it back? The ensuing struggle leaves the fate of the realm in the unlikely hands of the Fool, played by perennial Revels favorite Mark Jaster. Only the fool's dance with death, full of innocence and grace, can return light and joy to the land. Young and old will delight in this magical tale of the trials of leadership, and the power of hope to vanquish the dark.

It is a show for the whole family, and the whole community. As The Washington Post has observed, the Christmas Revels is "a seasonal gift to the community in song, dance, magic, foolery and tradition."

Photos by Sheppard Ferguson

Performance & Ticket Information:

The Christmas Revels 2004
Friday Dec. 3rd at 7:30 pm; Saturday Dec. 4th at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday Dec. 5th at 2:00 pm;
Friday Dec. 10th at 7:30 pm; Saturday Dec. 11th at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; & Sunday Dec. 12th at 2:00 pm,
at GWU's Lisner Auditorium, 21st & H Streets NW, Washington, DC (Metro stop: Foggy Bottom).

Tickets: (adult) $38, $25, $18; (youth 18 and under) $20, $15, $12.
All youth tickets are half-price on Friday, Dec. 3rd and Friday, Dec. 10th;
20% discount for groups of 10 or more at all performances.

Tickets go on sale to the public October 1 at Tickets.com, 703/218-6500, and at the Lisner box office.

For more information: www.revelsdc.org

About the Washington Revels

An established non-profit cultural institution for over 20 years, the Washington Revels is dedicated to reviving and promoting community seasonal celebrations. Featuring music, dance, drama and folk tales of a particular place and time, each Revels production enables audiences of all ages to experience age-old cultural traditions that affirm and support our shared community. The Washington Revels is one of eleven affiliated Revels organizations across the country under the leadership of Revels, Inc. in Watertown, Massachusetts, founded by John Langstaff, concert baritone, music educator and prize-winning author.

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