Archive for Reviews

Boston Globe REVIEW: Midwinter Revels Serves Up a Frolicsome ‘Feast of Fools’

By Jeffrey Gantz, Globe correspondant. Updated December 18, 2023, 3:04 PM CAMBRIDGE — The Feast of Fools arose in medieval Europe as a Christmastide ritual in which a mock bishop or pope was elected and low and high officials changed places. The inspiration came perhaps from the birth…

Theater Mirror REVIEW: Revels Goes Medieval in Swanson’s Swan Song with ‘Feast of Fools’

By Michael Hoban. Updated December 20, 2023 Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools: A Medieval Celebration of the Solstice – Written and Directed by Patrick Swanson and Debra Wise.; Musical Direction by Elijah Botkin; Choreography by Susan Dibble; Set Design by Jeremy Barnett; Sound Design by Bill Winn;…

Stage and Cinema REVIEW: You’d Be a Fool to Miss this Feast of Fun

By Lynne Weiss. Updated December 18, 2023 The long-playing Midwinter Revels (founded as Christmas Revels in 1971) is a unique mix of professional performance, volunteer talent, and audience participation that has created a joyous community that comes together each holiday season to delight in forms of music and dance that…

Broadway World REVIEW: Midwinter Revels – A Journey of Comfort and Joy

By Nancy Grossman, Globe correspondant. Updated December 21, 2023 Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools A Medieval Celebration of the Solstice Written and Directed by Patrick Swanson and Debra Wise; Elijah Botkin, Music Director; Sarah Higginbotham, Children’s Music Director; Choreographer, Susan Dibble; Set Design, Jeremy C. Barnett; Costume Design, Heidi Hermiller; Lighting…

Stage and Cinema REVIEW: Let the Revels’ Sun Shine into Your Home

December 27, 2022 By Lynne Weiss Theater Review: MIDWINTER REVELS: A SOLSTICE CELEBRATION – TALES FROM ELLIS ISLAND (Sanders Theater at Harvard and Online) LET THE REVELS’ SUN SHINE IN TO YOUR HOME Like the waning of the old year and the arrival of the new that it celebrates, The…

The Arts Fuse REVIEW: “Midwinter Revels” — Unity, “Behold How Good”

December 20, 2022 By David Greenham At its core, the Revels is about bringing together actors and audience, but there are several stagecraft successes to note this time around Midwinter Revels. Written and directed by Patrick Swanson. Music direction by Elijah Botkin. Choreography by Rosalba Solis and Kelli…

New England Theater Mirror REVIEW: ‘Midwinter Revels’ Brings Together Multiple Cultures for an Eclectic Holiday Experience

December 18, 2022 By Mike Hoban ‘Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration’ – Directed by Patrick Swanson; Musical Direction by Elijah Botkin; Set Design by Jeremy Barnett; Costume Design by Heidi Hermiller; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Choreography by Kelli Edwards; Projection Design by Ari Herzig; Sound Design by…

WBUR REVIEW: Revels is back with a more inclusive, rebranded holiday spectacular

December 19, 2022 By Iris Fanger Boston is blessed by a splendid variety of holiday events— the plural productions of “The Nutcracker” in all its spectacle, “A Christmas Carol” charting the redemption of Scrooge’s soul and the joys of “Black Nativity,” in contrast to the raunchy laughs from the Gold Dust…

Boston Globe REVIEW: A ‘Solstice Celebration’ for everyone

‘Midwinter Revels’ brings us ‘Tales from Ellis Island’ By Jeffrey Gantz, Globe correspondent. Updated December 18, 2022, 2:39 p.m. Revels’ annual celebration of the winter solstice at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre has a new name. For 51 years, it was “The Christmas Revels.” Last year, however, Revels began to…

The Sleepless Critic: ‘Christmas Revels In Celebration of Winter Solstice’ a clever and inviting return to the stage

Performing for a full and enthusiastic crowd and dedicating the performance to Revels friend Julie Smith, this year’s Christmas Revels offers a lot to its audience, but most importantly, it ushers in the excitement and gratefulness of being together again with a sing-along as well as emphasizing helping those in…