‘Twas the Night Before…
$20.00; $1000.00 Gala Performance Dec. 4
About This Show
The Flea Theater and The Chelsea Art Museum present the world premiere of ‘Twas the Night Before…, ten-minute works by playwrights Christopher Durang, Len Jenkin, Roger Rosenblatt, Elizabeth Swados, and Mac Wellman. The Flea commissioned this group of award winning writers to create short works using the famous holiday poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore (1779 – 1863) as their inspiration. This evening of spirited riffs on the holidays features a new company of Bats, the resident company of emerging artists at The Flea.
Works include “Not a Creature was Stirring” by Christopher Durang, “Christmas Song” by Len Jenkin, “Away in the Manger” by Roger Rosenblatt, “Holiday Movies” by Elizabeth Swados and “Before The Before and Before That” by Mac Wellman. The plays will premiere at a gala event held at The Chelsea Art Museum, originally the home of the poet.
While Durang takes us places “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” never imagined, Jenkin recalls a Christmas eve as only he can. The political pundit and social commentator Rosenblatt gives us a manger scene unlike any other. Swados sends up every holiday movie ever made and every toy ever given. Finally, the “reigning Dark Prince of the Abstract” Wellman explores the notion of before. Get ready for an evening of holiday cheer Flea style.
Jenkin and Swados direct their own pieces, with the other works helmed by up-and-coming directors Kip Fagan (directing Durang), Jason Podplesky (directing Rosenblatt) and Amanda Wright (directing Wellman). ‘Twas the Night Before features sets and lights by Kyle Chepulis, and costumes by Sarah Beers and Heather Dunbar.
Premiere at Chelsea Art Museum
‘Twas the Night Before premieres December 4 at special gala performance and dinner at The Chelsea Art Museum (556 West 22nd Street); tickets are $1000. There are 2 additional performance at the Museum on December 9 at 4:00pm & 8:00pm; tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased by calling 212-226-0051 ext. 101.
The show then moves to a limited engagement at The Flea Theater running December 13-16 at 10:00pm and December 20-30, Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00pm & 10:00pm.
