The Sleepless Critic REVIEW: Reflections and camaraderie navigate Midwinter Revels’ uplifting ‘The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman:  A Celtic and Cabo Verdean Celebration of the Solstice’

By Jeanne Denizard, The Sleepless Critic. Updated December 22, 2024.

Island waves and a Celtic touch navigate two interpretations of a classic folk tale.

Directed with ruminating holiday cheer by Debra Wise and versatile music direction by Elijah Botkin, the 54^th annual Midwinter Revels presents The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman:  A Celtic and Cabo Verdean Celebration of the Solstice live and in person at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts through Sunday, December 28 before becoming virtually available through Sunday, January 12, 2025.  This traditionally interactive production is approximately two hours 30 minutes with one intermission.  Each performance has a sponsor and dedication noted in the program. Click here for more information and for tickets.

This year’s Midwinter Revels occasionally takes to the seas sharing interconnected stories of identity, culture, traditions, ancestry and much more.  Aiden Parkinson portrays a cynical Celtic poet while Cedric Appolon and Kortney Adams depict a family of New Bedford newcomers from Cabo Verde who receive a mysterious package and Candida Rose Baptista is a beautiful yet elusive stranger that unleashes a new perspective.

Jeremy Barnett’s festive and inviting set is steeped in the spirit of the season with illuminated lanterns, strings of old fashioned multicolor bulbs and white lights adorned on garlands and wreaths by lighting designer Jeff Adelberg as well as detailed shelves packed with a variety of books and knickknacks.  Featuring a number of traditional and contemporary Cape Verdean and Celtic instruments, the intimate Cambridge Brass Ensemble onstage orchestra beautifully delivers a wide array of music genres including Celtic, jazz, and Cabo Verdean tunes as well as a mix of moving, humorous and traditional Midwinter Revels carols for sing-along such as an a cappella SILENT NIGHT led by David Coffin who hosts with his usual welcoming charm and good humor.

Ugly Christmas sweaters, street wear, velvet vests, plaids, wild patterns and period pieces are only a fraction of the convivial costuming by Heidi Hermiller weaved into this large cast.  Candida Rose Baptista stuns in a gold embroidered royal blue draped gown as she shares unique, uplifting and memorable Cape Verdean tunes such as SÓ SABI sing along and later the catchy and uplifting Batuku tune FAMILIA, DESPEDIDA & SIMA NOS È SO NOS along with the Sea Change Chorus amid beautiful fish and island projections.

One of the best parts of the production is the spooky number Skin and Bones performed by flashlight that may bring you a chill.  David Coffin and Mary Casey also take the stage for an amusing and eloquent a cappella version of the Irish folk number THE HUMORS OF WHISKEY and step dancer Rebecca McGowan impressively shares her spellbinding skills peppered into the production.    

Uniquely creating the motion and depths of the high seas, the adorable The Rocky Road Children with harmonious fiddler Liz Hanley perform the ORO MA BHADIN lullaby.  The Rocky Road Children also shine for The WREN SONG while keeping the beat with sticks accompanied by bodhrán Abe Finch and David Coffin on recorder.  David Coffin, accompanied by a trio of musicians called the Bailemian Band performs a wonderful rendition of THE STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN.

Parkinson performs a stirring rendition of OISÍN AND TÍR NA NÓG and shares some reflective scenes with Appolon and Adams as they gradually learn from each other in shared experiences.

It was fascinating to witness the variations upon this symbolic and metaphorical Selkie story which share significance with each other in their own way from an Irish and then a Cape Verdean perspective.  Rather than delving into a traditionally streamlined plot this year, this musical production spends more time in camaraderie and fellowship sharing individual fables and tales while celebrating the Winter Solstice and holiday season with warmth and comfort.  Bringing a number of traditions together, the Midwinter Revels make merry the spirit of the season with reflections, humor and hopefulness in its own charming way.

Midwinter Revels presents The Selkie Girl and the Seal Woman:  A Celtic and Cabo Verdean Celebration of the Solstice’ live and in person at the Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts through Sunday, December 28 before becoming virtually available through Sunday January 12, 2025.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Read this review on The Sleepless Critic website here