Bristol Riverside Theatre Celebrates the Holidays with Classic Family Shows in December

Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) celebrates this holiday season with two productions for the whole family. A BRT tradition, the Winter Musicale runs December 3 through 20. Conceived and directed by Artistic Director Keith Baker, the show celebrates the season with much-loved holiday songs from yesterday and today, with new, original arrangements by Baker, performed by the BRT band and a stellar cast of singers.

BRT also hosts Hedgerow Theatre's Tiny Tim's Christmas on December 9 and 12 at 10:00 a.m. An original adaptation for children of A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim's Christmas gives young audiences the opportunity to see the classic Charles Dickens' tale through the eyes of one of the most beloved characters in classic literature, Tiny Tim.

Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. Winter Musicale tickets are $29, $25 for BRT members and $10 for students. Tickets for Tiny Tim's Christmas are $8 for adults and children, $7 for BRT members. Tickets are available by calling the BRT Box Office at (215) 785-0100 or online at www.brtstage.org. Groups of 10 or more can call Group Sales at (215) 985-6664 for group rates.

Winter Musicale
December 3 - 20

For the Winter Musicale, Artistic Director Keith Baker has created an evening of traditional carols, contemporary arrangements, original songs, and popular classics such as: "Merry Christmas, Baby," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Wizards in Winter," "March of the Toys," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies," "Santa Baby," and "12 Days of Christmas."

The theatre welcomes back a cast of gifted singers, including audience favorites such as actress and singer Demetria Joyce Bailey (HBO's The Wire; 2007 Barrymore Best Actress in a Musical Nominee for Ethel Waters, His Eye is on the Sparrow; and a regular performer in BRT's Musicales series), opera singers Keith Spencer (BRT's Broadway Starlight, 2009) and Amy Spencer, Stephen Stein Grainger (BRT's This Is the Moment, 2008; Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard on Broadway; Phantom of the Opera, National Tour), Philip Chaffin (BRT's Come Rain Or Come Shine, 2008; Alen Menken and Tim Rice's King David on Broadway), Philadelphia-based actress Laura Catlaw (2008 Winter Musicale), Claudia Pellegrini (BRT's 2008 Winter Musicale and 2009's It Was a Very Good Year), Anthony D'Amato (BRT's 2009 It Was a Very Good Year and Woodstock at 40; Off-Broadway's Rock & Roll Fantasy), and Bethe B. Austin (BRT's Broadway Baby, 2008).

The band features Keith Baker (keyboard), Jon Ball (percussion), Bob Gargiullo (bass), Neil Nemetz (guitar), and Claudia Pellegrini (violin).

Performance Schedule
Thu. December 3 - 8:00 p.m.
Fri. December 4 - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. December 5 - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. December 6 - 3:00 p.m.
Wed. December 9 - 2:00 p.m.
Fri. December 11 - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. December 12 - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. December 13 - 3:00 p.m.
Wed. December 16 - 2:00 p.m.
Fri. December 18 - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. December 19 - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. December 20 - 3:00 p.m.

Tiny Tim's Christmas
Wednesday, December 9 - 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 12 - 10:00 a.m.

BRT hosts Hedgerow Theatre's adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim's Christmas (recommended for age 6 and up). The Crachitt family, the toymaker, the bread lady and other colorful townspeople all share the BRT stage with Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the three angels (not ghosts!) of Christmas to tell the story of one magical Christmas Eve.

Developed by Hedgerow's Producing Director Penelope Reed, this 55-minute children's show tells the story of Tiny Tim, who visits Mr. Scrooge's office and finds that his father has already left for the day. When Mr. Scrooge refuses to help the young boy find his way home, angels come to Tiny Tim's rescue to teach Scrooge the error of his ways. Children in the audience will be asked to direct the angels to help Tiny Tim during this interactive, seasonal show.

The multigenerational cast of Tiny Tim's Christmas is led by veteran actress Susan Wefel and features members of the resident company along with members of Hedgerow's youth, teen and adult ensemble. Kim Garrison, Ann Prieur, Carter Ford, Corey Hodge, Bradley Hove, Alicia O'Neill, Brielle Orvieto and Eli Dietrich as Tiny Tim take the stage for this family holiday production.

About Bristol Riverside Theatre
Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 50 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. In addition to its mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children's theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director, Amy Kaissar, BRT is now in its 23rd season. For more information, visit www.brtstage.org.

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