HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND TRAPPINGS at Lonny Chapman Theatre

Group Reps Premieres Holiday Traditions and Trappings For the first time in its 46-year history, the Group Rep will present HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND TRAPPINGS, a collection of new short plays and stories that explore the humor and challenges in surviving the holidays (during non-pandemic times). These little portraits of humanity focus on romance, traditions, gift-giving and tiny miracles. This holiday pay-per-view event available on the Group Reps Virtual Stage premieres Saturday, 12/12/2020 at 8:00 pm, and ends Friday, 1/1/2021 at 12:00 midnight.

All eight plays have been written by Group Rep members. Cast size for each play ranges from 1-4 actors. The holiday event features 19 actors. Some of the shows have been filmed on the Group Rep stage with safe Covid protocols adhered to; others have been video captured. The event is produced by Kathleen Delaney and Brooklyn Sample for the Group Rep. Music composed by Marc Antonio Pritchett. Video capture and assembly by Doug Engalla. Lighting Design by Douglas Gabrielle. Sound Design by Sammy Strittmatter and Technical Direction by Bert Emmett.

New works include:
100 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS Under the mango tree, Christmas miracles abound!Written by Clara Rodriguez. Directed by Heidi Harrison Mendez. Features Clara Rodriguez

A CHEESY CHRISTMAS A very much set-in-her-ways gourmet cheese shop proprietor is ready to close up for Christmas Eve, when in walks a customer with more than fermented dairy on his mind. Written by Craig Holland. Directed by Helen OBrien.
Features Hersha Parady (Eleanor) and Bert Emmett (Bob).

MERRY CHRISTMAS, NORMAN STANTON Norman gets a very unusual-and-living Christmas gift from the guys at work special delivery. Written by Tom Lazarus. Directed by Marc Antonio Pritchett. Features Neil Thompson (Norman) and Torrey Richardson (Tiffani).

MERRY CHRISTMAS, RELATIVELY SPEAKING Two very different sisters collide on Christmas Eve and wonder about the worthiness of continuing to commemorate Christmas. Written by Stevie Stern. Directed by Tom Lazarus. Features Marie Broderick (Beth) and Sascha Vanderslik (Diana).

TWO FOR ONE A suitor shows up a Christmas Eve dinner with two-gifts-for-one and is met with unexpected results. Written by Fox F. Carney. Directed by Linda Alznauer. Features Beccy Quinn (Lindy) and Katelyn Ann Clark (Stevie).

SANTA CLAUS WANTED A large department store needs a Santa for the holidays and the wrong person shows up to apply ... or so it would seem. Written by Tom Lazarus. Directed by Stevie Stern. Features Doug Haverty (William) and Cathy Diane Tomlin (Woman).

THANK HALLOWMAS A Christmas ornament sparks a father - daughter bond and a magic that only the holidays can bring.
Written by Matthew Guthrie. Directed by Kathleen Delaney. Features Londyn Brooks (Fallon), Marc Antonio Pritchett (Cup), Michaela Guthrie (Princess) and Kathleen Delaney (Narrator).

TOP OF THE TREE A mother explains her family's long-standing, feel-good, tradition of selfless, creative gift-giving. Written by Doug Haverty. Directed by Bruce Kimmel. Features Hartley Powers (Molly), Harley Walker (Vanessa), Mark Stancato (Steven) and David Ibrahim (Neal).

About the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre. Now in its 46th Season, the Group Rep has produced well over 300 plays including more than 70 World Premieres. The company boasts more than 80 active company members, from those with notable careers to those building careers. The acting company began May 1973, with a rag-tag group of 11 actors performing scenes for audiences in a laundromat-turned 36 seat theatre on Van Ness Blvd. When Lonny Chapman first entered that theatre, the match was perfect and The Group Rep was born with Chapman at the helm. In 1999, Lonny Chapman was honored when the current theatres name officially became the "Lonny Chapman Theatre". The partnership continued until Lonny's passing in 2007. In addition to productions, The Group Rep gives back to the community with its Annual Kids Holiday Party. Also, its Participating Actor and Technical Associates (PATA) program provides internship opportunities for aspiring theatre artists. Past graduates include such notables as Sean Penn and Jennifer Tilly. From 2009 2010, Ernest Figueroa, then producer for the Broad Stage, came on board as Artistic Director, and brought needed creative and organizational changes. In April of 2010, Figueroa passed the torch to longtime members Larry Eisenberg and Chris Winfield to serve as Co-Artistic Directors. Eisenberg and Winfield stepped down from their positions as of January 2020, remain company members putting forth their talents as needed. The newly appointed Artistic Director is longtime Group Rep member, Doug Haverty, who has taken the company to even greater heights and continues to fulfill the vision of Lonny Chapman.

About Show Times and Tickets
Who: The Group Rep
What: HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND TRAPPINGS
Premieres: Saturday, 12/12/ 2020 at 8:00 pm (PST)
Ends: Friday, 1/1/2021 at 12 Midnight (PST)
Pay-to-view admission: $10
Buy Tickets/Information: www.theGROUPrep.com

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