The Christmas Revels

In Celebration of the Winter Solstice

Directed by Patrick Swanson
George Emlen, Music Director

The Boston Phoenix called the 2009 celebration "One of the best Christmas Revels ever!" Read the reviews and watch a TV clip from Boston's Neighborhood Network News!

The 2009 Christmas Revels celebrated the rich and abundant folk traditions of North America.

We offered a new celebration of the shortest day inspired and informed by musical contributions from Appalachia, from the African American South, from the pastoral Shaker communities, and from our own New England. Featured performers included traditional singer and clogger extraordinaire Suzannah Park, the multi-talented David Coffin (celebrating his 30 years on the Revels stage), critically acclaimed gospel singer Janice Allen, Native American flute player Leon Joseph Littlebird, actress Bobbie Steinbach, Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble, The Smoky Mountain Dancers, The Pinewoods Morris Men, The Roaring Gap Chorus, the adorable Rocky River Children and the Stony Point String Band. 

Audiences of all ages enjoyed an American mummers play; carols and rounds for all to sing; "Wicked John and the Devil" (a"Jack Tale" from the Appalachian Mountains collected by Richard Chase); Susan Cooper's classic poem, "The Shortest Day"; Junkanoo (an early Boxing Day celebration from the Americas), and Revels' signature piece, "Lord of the Dance" that had people dancing with the cast, through the aisles of Sanders Theatre and into the grand lobby of Memorial Hall.