Christmas Revels Enchants with Celebration of Acadian, Cajun Cultures

Reviews

12.14.2016

by Mike Hoban

The Christmas Revels: An Acadian-Cajun Celebration of the Winter Solstice. Directed by Patrick Swanson; Musical Direction by Megan Henderson; Set Design by Jeremy Barnett; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Sound Design by Bill Winn; Costume Design by Heidi A. Hermiller; Choreography by Gillian Stewart. Presented by Revels at The Sanders Theater at Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street Cambridge, through December 27th.

As the days grow shorter and the nights become progressively chillier, it’s once again time for the “Christmas Revels”, the non-traditional holiday tradition that draws “revelers” from far beyond its Boston/Cambridge base. Founded in 1971, this is the 46th version of “Revels”, which each year presents a different culture and its traditions centered on the Winter Solstice/Christmas. In recent years we have traveled back to the Wales of Dylan Thomas’ childhood; late 19th century Victorian England (a show which included some brilliantly funny pantomime); and joined a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in 15th century Spain. This year’s production focuses on North America, beginning with the previously unsettled shores of Nova Scotia and traveling to present day Cajun country in Louisiana. This enchanting incarnation of “Revels” features music and dance from early French and Acadian cultures as well as New Orleans traditional music (including a rousing Dr. John number).

As is tradition, larger-than-life baritone David Coffin begins the Revels by prepping the audience for the half-dozen songs that they will sing along with the cast. This year’s selections include “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (Angels We Have Heard on High) an mid-1800s French carol; the familiar Vive La Compagni; and perennial favorite “The Lord of the Dance”, a 1963 English hymn that concludes the first act, where a pair of Morris dancers and the entire chorus from the production join hands with the audience in a serpentine dance as they make their way to the ornate lobby for intermission.

The narrative of this year’s story focuses on the settlement and displacement of French citizens who immigrated to what is now known as Nova Scotia in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. They developed their own farmland, draining the marshlands to create fertile soil, and they carved out a rich life for themselves, surviving by farming and fishing. Unfortunately, they were often caught in land disputes between French and British, and were finally banished from their new homeland by the Brits. In 1785 1,600 Acadians migrated to Louisiana via sailing ships (courtesy of the Spanish government). The story is told using narration as well as traditional song and dance from the era, and features some gorgeous choral work by the ensemble, as well as adorable performances by the children’s chorus, “Les Petits Voyageurs Children”.

The production is further elevated by the guest talent that Revels’ annually imports. According to the playbill, former Revels music director George Emlen worked closely Acadian/Cajun musicians to find the right mix of songs to bring the show to life, including Josee Vachon (who performs a number of beautiful traditional French folk songs as well as amazing the audience with her rhythmic foot tapping); fiddlers Lisa Ornstein, David Greely and Becky Tracy; accordion player Tom Pixton; and piano/guitar player Keith Murphy, who performed the evening’s most emotionally wrenching number, the heartbreaking “Le Depart Du Canada (The Leaving of Canada)”. It is also the most theatrically impactful number, with set and lighting designers Jeremy Barnett and Jeff Adelberg’s wonderful “magic tree” burning in the night while the Acadians leave their new homeland after being ordered out by the British.

The production is given a big boost by veteran Boston actors Steve Barkhimer, who plays a variety of roles including the narrator, a French military official and the aforementioned Dr. John (in an high-spirited version of “Right Place, Wrong Time”), and Ross MacDonald as a charming rogue of a British military leader as well as the Cajun “Rex” who battles the King Alligator (the imposing Coffin) in a very funny sword fight. Noni Lewis, best known as a voice actress (Wallace and Gromit), also narrates and shines in a number of comic roles.

Another great aspect of this production is the incredible venue, the Sanders Theatre. Originally designed to host Harvard commencements and lectures, the theater has been host to theater and music since 1895. It is acoustically perfect and the architecture inside and out of the 1,166 seat theatre is stunning. “Christmas Revels” is a terrific alternative entertainment for the holiday season.

share this story on social media

Related Stories
See More
Blogs
02.21.2024
Revels Fringe Spotlight: Seven Times Salt

Read More

Blogs
01.07.2024
Midwinter Revels Children’s Chorus Spotlight: Marina & Lena Nugent

Read More

Blogs
12.22.2023
Midwinter Revels Children’s Chorus Spotlight: Jacob & Mira Whiting

Read More

Announcements
12.21.2023
Boston Globe REVIEW: Midwinter Revels Serves Up a Frolicsome ‘Feast of Fools’

Read More

Announcements
12.21.2023
Theater Mirror REVIEW: Revels Goes Medieval in Swanson’s Swan Song with ‘Feast

Read More

Announcements
12.21.2023
Stage and Cinema REVIEW: You’d Be a Fool to Miss this Feast

Read More

Announcements
12.21.2023
Broadway World REVIEW: Midwinter Revels – A Journey of Comfort and Joy

Read More

Announcements
11.10.2023
Boston Globe HOLIDAY ARTS PREVIEW: A medieval ‘Midwinter Revels’ will suffer these

Read More

Blogs
09.18.2023
RiverSing Spotlight: Good Trouble Brass Band

Read More

Announcements
04.11.2023
Debra Wise Appointed Associate Artistic Director of Revels, Inc.

Read More

Blogs
01.12.2023
Midwinter Revels Performer Spotlight – Rosalba Solis

Read More

Blogs
01.05.2023
Midwinter Revels Performer Spotlight – Carolyn Saxon

Read More

Reviews
12.27.2022
Stage and Cinema REVIEW: Let the Revels’ Sun Shine into Your Home

Read More

Reviews
12.22.2022
The Arts Fuse REVIEW: “Midwinter Revels” — Unity, “Behold How Good”

Read More

Reviews
12.21.2022
New England Theater Mirror REVIEW: ‘Midwinter Revels’ Brings Together Multiple Cultures for

Read More

Reviews
12.19.2022
WBUR REVIEW: Revels is back with a more inclusive, rebranded holiday spectacular

Read More

Reviews
12.19.2022
Boston Globe REVIEW: A ‘Solstice Celebration’ for everyone

Read More

Blogs
12.16.2022
Midwinter Revels Chorus Spotlight – Heather Koerber Nunes and Jake Nunes

Read More

Announcements
05.19.2022
Chorus Auditions for The Midwinter Revels: A Celebration of the Solstice

Read More

Blogs
05.13.2022
Midwinter Revels – A Celebration of the Solstice

Read More

Blogs
03.19.2022
Revels Spring Sing Artist Spotlight: Dr. Kathy Bullock

Read More

Blogs
03.11.2022
Revels Spring Sing Artist Spotlight: Claire Dickson

Read More

Announcements
02.21.2022
In Memory of Ashley Bryan

Read More

Blogs
01.03.2022
Common Pursuits in Different Suits

Read More

Reviews
01.01.2022
The Sleepless Critic: ‘Christmas Revels In Celebration of Winter Solstice’ a clever

Read More

Reviews
12.31.2021
The Arts Fuse: “The Christmas Revels 2021” — As Usual, Rising in

Read More

Reviews
12.31.2021
Joyce’s Choices: The Christmas Revels

Read More

Reviews
12.23.2021
New England Theater Mirror: Christmas Revels Returns to Sanders Theater

Read More

Announcements
12.21.2021
Revels, Inc. Names Elijah Botkin as New Music Director

Read More

Reviews
12.20.2021
Boston Globe Review: The ‘Christmas Revels’ celebrates a new direction

Read More

Announcements
12.11.2021
Behind the Scenes at Revels

Read More

Blogs
11.23.2021
Thanks Giving

Read More

Blogs
10.08.2021
Meet Arkansas Light, Christmas Revels Production Stage Manager

Read More

Blogs
09.22.2021
Artist Spotlight: Ken Field

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
01.26.2021
Volunteer Spotlight: Haley Fisher

Read More

Reviews
12.29.2020
The Sleepless Critic Review: Christmas Revels 50th virtual anniversary delivers mirth, merriment,

Read More

Reviews
12.23.2020
Review: Christmas Classics – Virtual Editions and Good as New!!

Read More

Reviews
12.19.2020
Boston Globe Review: This virtual Christmas Revels is a virtual triumph

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
11.10.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Grygorcewicz

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
10.29.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Nick Browse

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
10.01.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Ross Hall

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
08.26.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Harvey Cohen

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
08.05.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Cathie Ghorbani

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
07.07.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Mari Young

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
06.30.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: Julie Smith

Read More

Blogs
05.19.2020
David Zooms to Perkins

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight
05.13.2020
Volunteer Spotlight: John Recroft

Read More

Blogs
04.30.2020
MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!

Read More

Reviews
12.19.2019
Review: Christmas Revels Brings Its Special Cheer to Depression Era America

Read More

Reviews
12.19.2019
BWW Review: THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: A Long Tradition of Community Forged Through

Read More

Reviews
12.17.2019
Theater Review: The Christmas Revels – American Version

Read More

Reviews
12.16.2019
REVIEW: Nearly 50, Christmas Revels is better than ever

Read More

Reviews
12.14.2019
REVIEW: This Christmas Revels goes to the American heartland

Read More

Blogs
11.21.2019
Thanksgiving

Read More

Blogs
06.21.2019
Solstice Duality

Read More

Blogs
03.19.2019
Happy Spring!

Read More

Reviews
12.20.2018
REVIEW: Christmas Revels Celebrates the ‘Other’ Great White North

Read More

Reviews
12.18.2018
REVIEW: ‘The Christmas Revels’ points north

Read More

Reviews
12.18.2018
Theater Review: The Christmas Revels – A Wonderful Nordic Celebration

Read More

Blogs
11.12.2018
Just Add Audience

Read More

Blogs
06.21.2018
The Longest Day

Read More

Blogs
05.16.2018
A Magical Experience: The Making of a CD

Read More

Blogs
02.14.2018
Malibu 2018

Read More

Reviews
12.27.2017
REVIEW: Revels’ ‘Venetian Celebration’ glitters

Read More

Reviews
12.13.2017
REVIEW: Old World Music, Comedy from Renaissance Era Lights Up Christmas Revels

Read More

Blogs
12.12.2017
St. Nicholas in Bohemia: Mikulas Eve

Read More

Reviews
12.10.2017
REVIEW: A handsome ‘Christmas Revels’ brings the party to Venice

Read More

Reviews
12.01.2017
A liberating holiday performance

Read More

Blogs
11.30.2017
The Master of the Revels

Read More

Blogs
06.21.2017
The Solstice Stands Revealed

Read More

Announcements
06.15.2017
Revels is here! Revels is here!

Read More

Blogs
05.24.2017
Striding Arches

Read More

Blogs
04.18.2017
Moonlighting with Shakespeare

Read More

Blogs
02.23.2017
What Blizzard?

Read More

Reviews
12.14.2016
Christmas Revels Enchants with Celebration of Acadian, Cajun Cultures

Read More

Announcements
12.12.2016
The Holy and the Broken Hallelujah Or How I learned to stop

Read More

Reviews
12.12.2016
This Acadian-Cajun Christmas Revels lets the good times roll

Read More

Reviews
12.04.2016
Annual Christmas Revels’ production fills the stage with delight

Read More

Blogs
06.06.2016
A Music Director Reflects

Read More

Blogs
04.11.2016
Fenway’s Ritual Earth

Read More

Announcements
03.08.2016
Welcome to Our New Music Director

Read More

Blogs
02.17.2016
Reflections on Malibu

Read More

Reviews
12.14.2015
‘Christmas Revels’ finally makes it to Wales

Read More

Blogs
12.10.2015
Christmas Revels – Looking Back and Looking Forward

Read More

Blogs
10.26.2015
Dylan Thomas: the intersection where poetry and drama meet

Read More

Announcements
09.16.2015
Revels Music Director George Emlen Announces His Retirement

Read More

Blogs
08.24.2015
Giving Voice

Read More

Blogs
07.17.2015
A Revels Director in Wales

Read More

Blogs
06.19.2015
Summer solstice: the year’s circus act

Read More

Reviews
06.12.2015
The Boston Globe profiles harpist Maeve Gilchrist and Revels FRINGE

Read More

Announcements
05.27.2015
Reporting on Education at Revels

Read More

Blogs
05.11.2015
The Great Flying Machine Race

Read More

Blogs
05.01.2015
The Wheel of the World

Read More

Blogs
04.13.2015
What’s Your Version of the Revels Elephant?

Read More

Announcements
01.26.2015
Farewell from Steve

Read More

Announcements
01.14.2015
Summer Camp

Read More

Reviews
12.17.2014
Fuse Theater Review: The Christmas Revels – Charming English Music Hall Edition

Read More

Reviews
12.17.2014
The Boston Globe Review: For Christmas Revels, a welcome return to Victorian

Read More

Reviews
12.16.2014
Events Insider Review: Christmas Revels Brings Victorian Dance Hall Celebration to Sanders

Read More

Reviews
12.15.2014
TAB Newspapers Theater Review: Revels transports audiences to Victorian England

Read More

Blogs
12.11.2014
The Crystal Palace

Read More

Blogs
09.16.2014
Don’t Blame Persephone

Read More

Blogs
07.07.2014
From the FRINGE: Who’s Maeve Listening to?

Read More

Blogs
06.20.2014
Solstice Fires

Read More

Blogs
04.25.2014
Patriot’s Day – My Favorite Holiday

Read More

Announcements
04.14.2014
A Forum on Arts Funding

Read More

Blogs
03.18.2014
Spring Forward

Read More

Blogs
03.03.2014
The Itinerant Musician

Read More

Announcements
02.05.2014
Welcome to the Revels blog

Read More

Stay up to date
with Revels.
Sign up to receive email updates on performances, events, and news coming from Revels.