REVELS REPERTORY COMPANY
Revels Repertory Company (formerly known as Circle of Song) was created in
1997 to bring Revels programs to community concert series,
museums, historical societies, libraries and schools throughout
southern New England. Founded by Kay Dunlap, director, the
touring ensemble consists of forty adults and children chosen
by audition and represents twenty communities in greater
Boston.
Programs
The ensemble presents costumed, staged
performances including traditional music, drama, dance and audience
participation based on cultural, seasonal and historic themes.
All programs are appropriate for adults and children ages 6 and
up.
Three of the programs are available for schools.
HARVEST
HOME
(available from mid-September through
mid-November)
When the hay is in, the grapes pressed
and the apples stored, there comes a time for celebration: singing
and dancing, begging for soul cakes, and telling ghost stories.
Sample
program
Audio:
"Hey Ho, To the Greenwood"
This day was
both joyous and healing. It helped us capture a renewed sense
of community and purpose. --Director, Fruitlands Museums,
Harvard, MA (after 9/11)
AN
AMERICAN JOURNEY
In
the early 20th century, successive waves of immigrants came to
the United State and eventually to Boston. We imagine a sea voyage
where families from Ireland, Italy and Eastern Europe share their
stories, songs and dances. A soup pot is brought out and ingredients
for a meal are produced--may the pot never rust!
Watch
a sample video of this program
Sample
program
Now I understand
how the immigrants really felt. --Child in the audience, Newton,
MA
A
CELEBRATION OF THE SEA
On the docks of New
Bedford, hawkers sell their wares, sailors pack their trunks and
say goodbye to friends and family. Their songs and stories tell
of their adventures, including a whale hunt and a storm at sea.
When they return, the entire community takes part in the celebration.
Watch
a sample video of this program
Sample
program
Audio
"Can't You Dance
the Polka?"
The heart-warming
joy of hearing and seeing Revels Circle of Song is like no other
theatre experience--their rich singing, dancing and storytelling
make everyone smile.--Membership Director, Mystic Seaport,
Mystic, CT
THERE'S
A MEETING HERE TONIGHT!
Of
the many traveling troupes of American family singers during
the 19th century, none was as well known as the Hutchinson Family
Singers of New Hampshire. They sang in theaters, churches, schools--even
on the street. Programs featured ballads, spirituals and topical
songs about Emancipation, Suffrage and Temperance by the great
songwriters of the day and family members.
There's a Meeting
Here Tonight! imagines a Hutchinson Family reunion at the
family home in Milford, New Hampshire. The program also includes
dances, stories and poetry ranging from the 1840's when the first
quartet went on the road to after the Civil War. The program is
narrated by P.T. Barnum.
Watch
a sample video of this program.
Read
a review of this production by Alan Lewis, noted historian..
The celebrated
and honored Hutchinson Family always give a most excellent entertainment
which exercises a mighty influence for good. To endorse them as
the best of entertainers is as superfluous as a certificate to
the sun for its warmth and brightness.--P. T. Barnum
CHANTEY
AND CAROL SINGS
Many
sponsors would like to host a Revels Rep performance but don't have
enough space for 40 performers, or they would like to have a smaller group perform
at a fundraiser or members' event. Since audience participation
has always been an important part of Revels performances, we
thought it would be appropriate to offer chantey and carol sings
based on music from Revels songbooks and related materials.
The sings can be
programmed for adult or family audiences. Those for family audiences
include singing games for children. Songbooks are provided and
participants are invited to request songs, lead one if they wish,
or just listen.
Fees
vary somewhat based on program length, size of space and
ticket prices. Travel expenses for performances outside
Route 128 are additional. For more information, contact
Kay Dunlap, director, at 508-655-1556 or revelsrep@revels.org.
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Revels Repertory Company 
