Program booklet - Santa Barbara Revels

DECEMBER 17TH AND 18TH, 2011
LOBERO THEATRE, SANTA BARBARA
❄ I N T ROD U C T ION ❄
Welcome to our 4 annual Christmas Revels! This darkest time of the year casts a
powerful spell over nearly every culture in the northern hemisphere and has given
birth to countless ways of celebrating the shortest day. This year we journey to the
early 19th century and the German speaking countries of central Europe, where the
sense of season runs deep, and the celebration of Yuletide begins in November and
runs through Solstice and into the new year. Many of these customs and traditions
form the basis for beloved present-day holiday rituals in this country.
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We enjoy the observances and feast days of that time and place, including: the
lantern processional on the November 11th feast day of St. Martin; Advent,
with the symbolism of the Advent wreath, which gives structure to the weeks
preceding Christmas day; and the feast day of Sankt Nikolaus on December 6th,
when the good deeds of well-behaved children are recognized and children who
have misbehaved are suitably punished. Then, Christmas itself is observed with
the presentation of the richly decorated Tannenbaum and the singing of familiar
carols. Finally, we mark the turning of the year with timeless alpine rituals and
a mummers’ play with a Teutonic twist. As we progress through the season, we
experience the full spectrum of celebration, from rustic shoe slapping dances
to polyphonic chorales, from the haunting call of the Alphorn to the exalted
melodies of Europe’s most renowned composers. We meet Sankt Nikolaus, Knecht
Ruprecht, and Frau Hölle, all mystical characters that figure prominently in the
winter celebrations.
Imagine now, an evening in December during the early 19th century in the
regions surrounding Bavaria. Snow is on the ground and the air is crisp. We join
neighbors and friends in a popular local beer hall, where we catch up on the latest
news, entertain each other, savor seasonal traditions, and share in the gemütlichkeit
of this time of year.
Join us and be joyous!
❄ A DEDICATION ❄
During the past two years, Santa Barbara Revels has mourned the loss of three
unique women who were special Revels company members. They all treasured
music and dance and were revelers in the very fullest sense, with their love of
family, friends, and tradition. It is our honor to dedicate this year’s production of
The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice to these three.
We cherish memories of them and embrace the loved ones they have left behind.
BETTINE WALLIN
PATSY BOLT
RACHEL JOHANSEN
THE PROGRAM
❄ Part I ❄
1. Overture: Die Schlittenfahrt
“Sleigh Ride,” written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is one of his most
popular orchestral dances. It is a Ländler, a dance in triple meter that was a
predecessor to the waltz.
THE BLACK FOREST BRASS ENSEMBLE
2. Frau Hölle and Her Featherbed
Appearing early in European and German mythology and originally
known as the Old Goddess, Frau Hölle is a wild, elemental, and frequently
destructive figure that creates great snowstorms when she shakes out her
featherbed. She is also known as the matron of spinning, childbirth, and
domestic animals. Here, she is in the company of the Perchten, who are primal
alpine characters that still figure prominently in modern German Christmas
customs; they drive away the evil winter spirits in the hope that the coming
winter will not be too harsh. Perchten traditions involve ugly wooden masks
with horns, tusks and teeth, and they are covered with bells.
DIANE STEVENETT ~ Frau Hölle
DIE PERCHTEN
3. Sankt Nikolaus and Knecht Ruprecht
Historically a 4th century Greek bishop, Sankt Nikolaus was a revered
figure known for his generosity who became the popular saint who appears
in the Christmas season to reward those who have behaved well throughout
the year. Not the American “jolly old elf,” however, he travels from house
to house, knocking on doors and enquiring about the behavior of children.
He gives gifts to good children and leaves the others to his servant, Knecht
Ruprecht, a dark and sinister figure who carries lumps of coal to punish
the unfortunates who have slipped from grace, a switch to beat naughty
children, and a sack to carry off the really bad ones.
SIMON WILLIAMS ~ Sankt Nikolaus
MATT TAVIANINI ~ Knecht Ruprecht
4. O Tannenbaum
The symbol of a fir tree that bears its needles all year long has deep roots
in European pagan religions. It first appeared as a Christmas tree in medieval
times in Germany, and by the mid-19th century, it was popular throughout the
country. The tune was first published in 1799.
MEN OF THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
Sankt Nikolaus lights the first Advent candle.
5. O Du Fröliche, O Du Selige
“O Joyful, O Blessed” is widely known as “The Sicilian Mariner’s
Hymn.” With a tune probably of Italian origin, this carol is commonly
sung to various texts in Germany throughout the year, as well as during the
Christmas season.
KEN RYALS ~ Song Leader
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
WHEN INVITED, ALL SING!
6. Circle Dance
Circle dances were among the first types of community dances to
develop; they were common in Bavaria and Moravia from at least the 15th
century. While the dances initially were done by either men or women in a
circle, over time, dances for circles of couples appeared, eventually becoming
couple dances in which individuals changed dance partners.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
DIE BIERGARTEN MUSIKMEISTERS
7. Vinum Schenk Ein
Composed in the early 17th century by Erasmus Widmann, this choral
drinking song exhorts drinkers to "Pour out the Wine" and avoid water and beer.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
8. Schuhplattler Dance
Men’s competitive display dances are a centuries-old tradition in much
of central Europe, particularly Bavaria and Hungary. A prime purpose of
dancing prowess was to impress potential mates; the Schuhplattler developed
in this context. An 11th century dance documented in Upper Bavaria can be
seen as ancestral to later Schuhplattlers (literally “shoeslapper”), in which the
dancers rhytmically slap their thighs, knees,and shoes to music in 3/4 time.
Initially, the dances were unstructured; during the 19th century, they evolved
to include couple dances in which solo slapping by the man alternates with
sections in which the couple dances a waltz or a Ländler.
HEATHER HEYERDAHL ~ Dancer
RICHARD JULIAN ~ Dancer
9. The Holly and the Ivy
Robert Schumann’s “Sylvesterlied” (New Year’s Song) comes from his
piano collection Jugendalbum (Album for the Young). The melody has been
paired with a slightly modified version of the ancient English carol text.
WOMEN OF THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
10. Kling, Glöckchen
“Ring, Little Bell” is a German Christmas carol from the 19th century.
The lyrics were written by Karl Enslin (1819–1875) to a traditional German
folk tune. According to other sources, it was set to music in 1884 by
Benedikt Widmann (1820–1910).
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
11. Ich Geh Mit Meine Laterne
German children begin the celebration of the Christmas season on the
feast of Saint Martin on November 11th. Each child constructs a lantern in
one of the many traditional styles.
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
12. Welcome Winter
This modern celebration of winter by Cesar Bresgan of Salzburg includes
a salute to the Yule season by the 17th century poet, Robert Herrick.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
Sankt Nikolaus lights the second Advent candle.
13. Laßt Uns Froh und Munter Sein
Children in Germany, especially in Bavaria, sing “Let’s Be Joyful and
Lively” on December 5th, the eve of the Feast of Sankt Nikolaus.
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
14. The Legend of Sankt Nikolaus
This story is drawn from the Medii avi Kalendarium by R.T. Hampson.
While a bit gruesome (a not uncommon feature of German folktales), it links
the Christian Sankt Nikolaus to the ancient pagan rituals of death and rebirth.
THE PLAYERS:
ALEXANDRA MORGAN ~ A Rich Man
BRANDON GARCIA HOLLAND,
HAILEY GAONA,
JASMINE LINARES ~ His Sons
ARIANA RUBIO ~ Sankt Nikolaus
MILLIE SIMON GARCIA ~ An Innkeeper
15. In Dulce Jubilio
This song has appeared in The Christmas Revels in many forms over
the years, due in part to the fact that so many great composers have chosen
to set these lyrics to music. This composer, Michael Praetorius wrote eleven
settings himself. The text is macaronic—a blend of vernacular German and
Latin. It is said to have come to the German monk Henrich Seuse in a
vision in 1328.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
16. Saint Nicholas
This 20th century song by Heinz Lau is based on a folk custom; Saint
Nicholas is welcomed in but implored to leave his Rute, or bundle of twigs,
outside by the door.
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
17. The Lists of Sankt Nikolaus
On December 6th, the feast day of Sankt Nikolaus, the good saint reads a
list of the virtues and shortcomings of all the “children.” He examines them,
and they must deliver a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills.
SIMON WILLIAMS ~ Sankt Nikolaus
MATT TAVIANINI ~ Knecht Ruprecht
DIE PERCHTEN
RICHARD JULIAN ~ Dancer
18. Salutation
An excerpt from a letter written on Christmas Evening in 1513 by the
Franciscan Fra Giovanni to his friend, the Countess Allagia del’ Aldobrandesche,
who was then living in Florence
SIMON WILLIAMS ~ Sankt Nikolaus
19. The Lord of the Dance
Sydney Carter’s modern lyrics to the Shaker song “Simple Gifts” are
translated here into a dance. Choreographed by Carol Langstaff, Martin
Graetz, and Jonathan Morse for the first Christmas Revels in 1971, it uses a
compilation of Morris dance steps from various Cotswold village traditions.
MARC NICOLAS, Soloist
HEATHER HEYERDAHL, Dancer
ELISHA SCHAEFER, Dancer
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
THE BLACK FOREST BRASS ENSEMBLE
DIE BIERGARTEN MUSIKMEISTERS
ALL DANCE AND SING!
DANCE, THEN, WHEREVER YOU MAY BE,
I AM THE LORD OF THE DANCE, SAID HE.
AND I’LL LEAD YOU ALL WHEREVER YOU MAY BE,
AND I’LL LEAD YOU ALL IN THE DANCE, SAID HE.
❄ INTERMISSION ❄
Celebrate the life of
Revels founder John Langstaff
! “As magical as the man himself. . . . A vivid combination
of biography and memoir.” — Booklist (starred review)
Available wherever books are sold
THE PROGRAM
❄ Part 2 ❄
20. Das Alphorn
Originally used for communication in the mountainous regions of
Europe, the Alphorn dates back to at least 1527 and may even have been
derived from trumpets used by the Roman legionnaires. Many composers
have written for this instrument, notably Mozart, Rossini, and Britten.
CHUCK CHAMPLIN ~ Alphorn Player
PAUL LUXENBERG ~ Soloist
21. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
Derived from an ancient ritual dance for good luck in hunting the stag,
this is still danced every year in the Staffordshire village of Abbots Bromley in
England. Its traditional supernumerary characters—the Fool, the Man/Woman,
the Hobby Horse and the Boy Archer—link it with the mumming tradition
of Old Christmas. It is danced to a tune popularly know as The Wheelwright
Robinson Tune.
THE DANCERS:
MARK HUBERT
KENNNY HUGHES
RICHARD JULIAN
GENE LERNER
FRED PERNER
LAWRENCE WALLIN
BRANDON HOLLAND-GARCIA ~ Boy Archer
MIGUEL MIRANDA ~ Fool
ELIZABETH RUTHERFORD ~ Hobby horse
BILL SCHLEIFER ~ Man/Woman
ROBERT WINOKUR, Tin Whistle
22. Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
Often called the world’s favorite Christmas carol, “Silent Night” was first
sung in Obendorf, Austria on Christmas Eve in 1818, to a melody by Franz
Gruber with text by Joseph Mohr.
KEN RYALS ~ Song Leader
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
DIE BIERGARTEN MUSIKMEISTERS
WHEN INVITED, ALL SING!
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT,
ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT.
‘ROUND YON VIRGIN, MOTHER AND CHILD,
HOLY INFANT SO TENDER AND MILD.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE,
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE.
SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT,
SHEPHERDS QUAKE AT THE SIGHT.
GLORIES STREAM FROM HEAVEN AFAR,
HEAV’NLY HOSTS SING ALLELUIA.
CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN!
CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN!
Sankt Nikolaus lights the third Advent candle.
23. O Tannenbaum (Reprise)
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
THE BLACK FOREST BRASS ENSEMBLE
WHEN INVITED, ALL SING!
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE,
HOW LOVELY ARE THY BRANCHES!
THEY’RE GREEN WHEN SUMMER DAYS ARE BRIGHT,
THEY’RE GREEN WHEN WINTER SNOW IS WHITE.
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE,
HOW LOVELY ARE THY BRANCHES!
24. Dona Nobis Pacem
Round for peace.
KEN RYALS ~ Song Leader
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
ALL SING!
25. Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet
“Come, Little Children” was written by Christoph von Schmid in 1798
or 1810. The tune was written by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz in 1794 as
a secular song named Wie reizend, wie wonnig.
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
26. Es Ist Ein Rose Entsprungen
“There is a Flower Springing” began as a beloved folk carol in the 15th
century; it was harmonized by Praetorius and included in his 1609 Musae
Sioniae. Here in the well-known translation by Theodore Baker, the text
refers to the messianic prophecy in Isaiah and compares Mary to a branch
stemming from the root of Jesse, the father of King David. The theme was
written by the 16th century composer, Melchior Vulpius and is repeated in
the form of a canon.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
27. Ode to Joy
Beethoven’s stirring chorale from his Ninth Symphony is a moving
invocation of the brotherhood of man.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE BLACK FOREST BRASS ENSEMBLE
Sankt Nikolaus lights the fourth Advent candle.
28. Zillertaler Ländler
This romantic Austrian couples dance in 3/4 time evolved under a
series of names until it was finally called Landl ob der Enns, shortened to
Landler or Ländler sometime around 1690; it gained popularity in 1720.
Ländler comes from the word “country,” meaning a dance coming from the
countryside, rather than the city or court. During the 19th century as the
Ländler became popular among upper-class city dwellers, the dancing style
became smoother and more refined. One of several dances that contributed
to the development of the waltz, the Ländler performed here was introduced
into the U.S. by an Austrian Student Friendship Tour in 1951 and is often
done by folk dance groups in this country.
THE DANCERS:
EMILY JEWELL
SUSAN KELLER
FRED PERNER
29. Auf Neujahr
RICHARD JULIAN
MIGUEL MIRANDA
NATASCHA SKERCZAK
This folksong from Westphalia bestows good luck "For The New Year."
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
30. Polka
A couples dance in 2/4 time that developed in Moravia in the early
19th century and soon spread to Bavaria. In 1834, a widely distributed
written description gave the dance the name "Polka." Within a few years,
the polka spread throughout most of Europe as well as into America. Both
polka music and the dance remained extremely popular until the mid-20th
century. The name is thought to be from from the Czech word polka (“little
half ”), a reference to the short half-steps featured in the dance.
THE DANCERS:
WOMEN AND MEN OF THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
31. The Twelve Days of Christmas
Victorian folk song collector and hymn writer Sabine Baring-Gould
(1834-1924) published a version of this traditional English forfeit carol in
Northumbrian Minstrelsy. This lively rendition needs audience help.
KEN RYALS ~ Song Leader
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
THE BLACK FOREST BRASS ENSEMBLE
DIE BIERGARTEN MUSIKMEISTERS
ALL SING!
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE SENT TO ME
A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.
…TWO TURTLE DOVES.
…THREE FRENCH HENS.
…FOUR CALLING BIRDS.
…FIVE GOLD RINGS.
…SIX GEESE A-LAYING.
…SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING.
…EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING.
…NINE LADIES DANCING.
…TEN LORDS A-LEAPING.
…ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING.
…TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING.
32. Volkstücke – Hanswurst und Der Drachen
In the style of many European folk plays, this one has a hero combat
at its core. The characters are drawn from the rich Volkstücke tradition of
Austria and include those popular on the 18th century Viennese stage as well
as a few concocted by Mozart and even Wagner. The sword dance figures are
from Kirkby Malzeard, a small village on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Hilt-and-Point dances such as this may well have first arrived in England
with immigrant coal miners from Germany and Austria. A highlight of the
dance is the forming of the “lock” when all the swords are interwoven.
THE PEOPLE’S PLAYERS:
GEOFFREY BARBER
SIMON WILLIAMS
Herr Staberl
Sankt Nikolaus
YVONNE BAZINET
CHARISSA HAMEL
Herr von Knödel
Herr Dumkopf
MIMI VANLEISHOUT
DIANE STEVENETT
Herr Stachelschwein
Frau Hölle
ROBBY ROBBINS
NATASCHA SKERCZAK
Fafner, the Dragon
Hanswurst
MATT TAVIANINI
Dr. thaddadl
THE PACIFIC SWORD COMPANY:
MARK HUBERT
KENNY HUGHES
RICHARD JULIAN
GENE LERNER, foreman
FRED PERNER, Squire
LAWRENCE WALLIN
33. Der Fröliche Wanderer
“The Happy Wanderer,” a popular song by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller,
was was written shortly after World War II. It is often mistaken for a
German folk song, but it is actually an original composition. The song’s
German lyrics, written by Edith Möller and Florenz Siegesmund, have been
translated into several languages; it has since become a choir classic.
DIANE STEVENETT ~ Frau Hölle
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
34. The Shortest Day
This poem, written by Susan Cooper in 1977 for the first Revels in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an annual tradition at all Revels performances
throughout the country.
SUSAN KELLER ~ Santa Barbara Revels Founder
35. Sussex Mummers Carol
A traditional English carol, this is sung as the ending to the folk play in
Horsham, Sussex. In all ten American communities where The Christmas
Revels is performed annually, it has become the final parting song with the
audience.
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
THE YULETIDE CHILDREN’S CHORUS
DIE BLACK FOREST BRASS ENSEMBLE
DIE BIERGARTEN MUSIKMEISTERS
ALL SING!
❄ WE LCO M E YUL E! ❄
WILSON PRINTING
AD
THE PLAYERS
THE ACTORS
Simon Williams as
Sankt Nikolaus
Matt Tavianini as
Knecht Ruprecht
Diane Stevenett as
Frau Hölle
THE SOLSTICE SINGERS
Steve Baker
Geoffrey Barber
Yvonne Bazinet
Karen Brill
Chuck Champlin
Lesley Champlin
Roy Fuentes
Charissa Hamel
Heather Heyerdahl
Linda Hill
Emily Jewell
Steven Jones
Marilyn Mazess
Miguel Miranda
Marc Nicolas
Robby Robbins
Janice Rorick
Elizabeth Rutherford
Bill Schleifer
Brian Sikich
Mandee Sikich
Natascha Skerczak
Mimi Vanleishout
Debbie Waller
CHILDREN'S CHORUS
THE YULETIDE
Luz Barreto
Serena Santana Donato
Hailey Gaona
Millie Simon Garcia
Frankie Harman
Natalia Valdes Heredia
Brandon Garcia Holland
Liliana Johnston
Hoku Kern
Jasmine Linares
Alexandra Morgan
Ariana Rubio
Carter Tran
Adauto Zanabria, Jr.
DIE PERCHTEN
Emily Jewell
Mark Hubert
Kenny Hughes
Miguel Miranda
Brian Sikich
Mandee Sikich
Matthew Shapero
Natascha Skerczak
THE PACIFIC
SWORD COMPANY
Mark Hubert
Kenny Hughes
Richard Julian
Gene Lerner
Fred Perner
Lawrence Wallin
THE BLACK FOREST
BRASS ENSEMBLE
John Ernest - Trumpet 1
Tim Hamon - Trumpet 2
Steve Gross - Horn
Ken Kugler - Trombone
Paul Luxenberg - Tuba
Matt Richards - Timpani
DIE BIERGARTEN
MUSIKMEISTERS
Howard Howe - Accordion
Eliott Karpeles - Violin
Nena Quiros - Accordion
Steve Spier - Guitar
Bob Wightman - Violin, Accordion
Robert Winokur - Tin Whistle
Susan McNeill - Drum
PRODUCTION STAFF
FOUNDER/PRODUCER ~ Susan Keller
STAGE DIRECTOR ~ Maggie Mixsell
MUSIC DIRECTOR/SONG LEADER ~ Ken Ryals
CHILDREN’S CHORUS DIRECTOR ~ Emily Jewell
COSTUME DIRECTOR ~ Tracy Jackson
PROPERTIES ~ Diane Arnold
SET DESIGN ~ Elisha Schaefer
LIGHTING DESIGN ~ Maggie Mixsell
CHOREOGRAPHER ~ Richard Julian
STAGE MANAGER ~ Anna Rook
DRAMATURG ~ Anna Jensen
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ~ Todd Jared
Assistant to Producer ~ Emily Jewell
Assistant to Music Director ~ Charissa Hamel
Makeup Consultant ~ Ken Ryals
Dance Captain & Children’s Choreography ~ Emily Jewell
Child Wrangler ~ Cynthia Moore
Dance Research & Instruction ~ Helen Pasley
Dragon Design ~ Diane Arnold
Dragon Construction ~ Diane Arnold & Tracy Jackson
Costume Assistant ~ Denise Chedester
Set Construction ~ Elisha Schaefer, Otis Calef, Mike Macko
Set Painting ~ Charissa Hamel, Debbie Waller,
Chuck Champlin, Mimi Vanleishout
Merchandise Sales ~ Carlyle Johnston
Graphic Design ~ CDesign Graphics
Marketing & PR ~ Sarah Savage
Musician Contracting ~ Jeanne Ullom
Photography ~ David Bazemore
Sound Recording ~ Opus 1
Web Master ~ Robert Winokur
Tech Support ~ Matt Tavianini
Transportation ~ Matthew Shapero
Unconditional Support ~ Myron Shapero
DONORS & SUPPORTERS
Foundations
Patricia A. Brown Charitable Trust
The Matthews Salazar Imagitas Foundation
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Montecito Bank & Trust Community Dividends
Lords & Ladies of the Dance
Helen K. Baker
Geri & Jerry Bidwell
Susan & Ron Morrow
Myron S. Shapero, MD
Anne Smith Towbes
Mistresses & Masters of the House
Bret Cohen
Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures
Shawn Veiseh, MD
Patty & Bob Bryant
Jill & Ron Dexter
Linda Hill
Carolyn & Ned Quackenbush
Jodi & Jack Wasserman
Revelers
Debra Niemann & David Brodwin
Sandi & Herbert Feinberg
This project is funded in part by the Community Events & Festivals Grant Program
using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership
with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission.
❄
Wassailers
Joanna Kerns &
Marc Appleton
Barbara Burger
In Memory of Connie Burns
Marty & Joe Blum
Jacqueline S. Dyson
Doris & Tom Everhart
Pamela Dillman Haskell
Tony Johansen
In Memory of Rachel
Helen Pasley &
Gene Lerner
Demaris McCorkle &
David Millner
Carolyn Butcher Perry &
Michael Perry
Laurie Potter
In Honor of Kenneth Ryals
Maria & David Prenatt
Louise Stewart, MD
Pat & Gil Wasserman
Tom & Terri Wiggins
Mummers
Barbara Armentrout
Helen Buckley
Rose Dosti
Joan & Colin Jones
Myra Sibrava
In Honor of Susan Keller
Patti DeDominic &
Gene Sinser
Susan Winokur
Organization &
Business Sponsors
The Brew House
Channel City Lumber
Home Depot
Kimberley Wigs & Hairpieces
Montecito Journal
Santa Barbara Independent
Suburban Kiwanis Club
Trader Joe’s
Vintage Wine Shop &
Tasting Bar
❄
❄
MISSION
STATEMENT
By presenting
performances and
events that celebrate
seasonal change,
Santa Barbara Revels
creates community; by
encouraging a diverse
group of participants,
we build bridges across
generations and among
ethnicities. Our
staged productions
incorporate traditional
music, dance, drama,
and ritual from various
world cultures and
different centuries;
they feature large
casts of professional
and volunteer actors,
singers, dancers, and
instrumentalists,
involving the audience
in special selections.
Our community events
throughout the year are
open to all who wish to
sing together or dance
around a maypole and
joyously welcome each
new season.
❄
❄
FROM THE FOUNDER/
PRODUCER
This year, moving from
front and center stage
into the position of Music
Director, Ken Ryals was a
pleasure to work and sing
with, as was Emily Jewell,
ably taking charge of the
children. As our costumer,
Tracy Jackson blessed us
with her inventiveness,
multiple talents, good
nature, and hard work;
her output is exceptional
and essential, as are
the contributors of the
always-accommodating
and creative Diane
Arnold. Once again, I
salute Maggie Mixsell,
who has been reveling
with me from the very
beginning. I value and
rely upon her friendship,
her talent, her intuition,
editorial eye, and sense of
humor. Santa Barbara
Revels would not be
where we are without
her. I also want to express
great appreciation to
Matthew Shapero for
being my left hand man,
to Helen Baker for her
love and financial support,
to Steve Baker for joining
us joyously, and to my
husband for tolerating my
distractions and absences,
for cheering us on, and for
making all of this possible.
❄
Susan Keller
Best wishes to all the
Christmas Revelers!
❄ GRATITUDES ❄
At this time of year, as we reflect on gifts given and received, we are grateful
for the advice and support –moral as well as otherwise--of our colleagues
at the nine Revels companies around the country, particularly those
friends at Revels, Inc.: Patrick Swanson, Artistic Director, George Emlen,
Music Director, and Steve Smith, Executive Director. We are particularly
appreciative for all that California Revels has provided to help us mount this
Bavarian production: Dirk Burns shared promotional ideas and resources
and always responded graciously to our SOS calls; Callie Floor located
essential costume elements and was generous and accommodating with her
assistance and hospitality.
We appreciate the vital support of the local organizations that made facilities
and resources available, including: First United Methodist Church and
Pastors Hillary Chrisley and Alan Strout, who donated space for weekly
chorus practices and monthly staging rehearsals; First Presbyterian Church,
which also made space available to us; Dave Williams and Pam McLendon
of Montecito Union School, who provided our children’s chorus rehearsal
room; and Steven Sharpe, General Manager of Opera Santa Barbara, who
shared good advice and much-needed props. Everyone on the managerial
and technical staff at the Lobero Theatre has been unfailingly supportive and
helpful, far above and beyond the call of duty.
As always, volunteers were instrumental in mounting our production.
In particular: Otis Calef generously pitched in to help with set construction
and transportation, Charissa Hamel was our primary and much-appreciated
set painter. Several dedicated dancers contributed enormously of their time
and talents: taking over the unaccustomed assignment of choreographer,
Richard Julian provided dance research and instruction and Helen Pasley was
unfailingly patient and pleasant with our cluster of clumsy terpsichoreans.
Other volunteers made themselves available at critical times, and we
are grateful for the involvement of Denise Chedester as well as of Alicia
Cordero, Carlyle Johnston, and Ana Barreto, who gave able assistance
with the children’s chorus. Charissa Hamel also lent willing hand(s) to
help with the adult chorus. Irma Esquivel-Kromis was always available for
critical translation and communication help. Jeffrey Speich provided much
appreciated sustenance. We are so fortunate to have their participation.
Most importantly, we are grateful for you, our audience. Putting on a show
only works if there are people there to applaud and enjoy your efforts. Your
positive energy, enthusiasm, loyalty, and laughter are greatly rewarding to the
people on and behind stage. We are so thankful that you have responded to
our invitation to Join us and be joyous!
gUbhUVUfVUfU
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Susan Keller, President
Myron S. Shapero, MD,
Vice President
Margaret Mixsell,
Secretary-Treasurer
Jacqueline Dyson
Irma Esquivel Kromis
Paula Lopez
Frederick Lerner, PhD
Ginger Salazar
Diane Stevenett
Natalie Tirrell
Anne Smith Towbes
ADVISORY BOARD
Adrianne Davis
Patrick Davis
George Emlen
Tina Louise Fanucci
Howard Hudson, CPA
Joanna Kerns
Nathan Kreitzer
Marty Krofft
Arlene Larsen
Rod Lathim
Joshua Rabinowitz, JD
Steven Sharpe
Steve Smith
Nick Strimple, PhD
Patrick Swanson
Judi Weisbart
UPCOMING REVELS EVENTS
Pub Sing: 6-8 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012
Dargan’s Irish Restaurant & Pub - 18 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara
May Day Celebration: Noon on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
I Madonnari: Saturday - Monday, May 25 - 27, 2012
Santa Barbara Mission