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All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 to come to the Pantages Theatre, Dec. 17-21

May 28, 2014

All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914,

Marks 100^th Anniversary of WWI Truce,

December 17-21, 2014

a classic to be repeated for years to come"Graydon Royce, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Tickets Go On Sale at 10 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2014

Presented by Cantus, Hennepin Theatre Trust and Theater Latté Da

MINNEAPOLISAll Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, the poignant theatre and music production which has become an annual Twin Cities holiday classic, will return for the 100^th anniversary of the original truce for seven performances only, Wednesday through Sunday, December 1721, 2014, at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. All Is Calm recalls the remarkable and spontaneous World War I truce with words and songs drawn from the era and its participants. Now in its seventh year, this moving ode to peace was created by Theater Latté Das acclaimed artistic director Peter Rothstein with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. It features Cantus, one of Americas finest vocal ensembles, which is marking its final appearance as part of the production. All Is Calm is a collaboration among Cantus, Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2014. To purchase tickets and for more information visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

All Is Calm relives an astounding moment in history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together by trading carols, sharing food and drink, playing soccer and burying the dead. In some places the truce lasted only a night, in others it endured until New Years Day. This dramatic re-telling contains actual quotes and excerpts from letters written by thirty World War I figures brought to life by actors Matt Rein, David Roberts and Alan Sorenson; interspersed with song.

Cantus beautifully weaves a tapestry of sound, drawing from patriotic tunes, trench songs, medieval Scottish ballads and carols from England, Wales, France and Germany which take on new depths in the context of warfare. Music, an important part of life in the trenches, helped create a context that inspired the truce. Cantus sets the tone before All Is Calm begins with a set of carols arranged by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams for his own battalion.

Rothstein, one of the Twin Cities premier directors, worked five years to develop All Is Calm. He recalls, I wanted to tell the story in their words, so I created the drama primarily through letters, war documents, autobiographies, World War I poetry, grave stone inscriptions and even an old radio broadcast. For decades, the Christmas truce was considered a romantic fable. I really wanted to give voice to this remarkable moment that had somehow been denied its place in history.

Rothstein continued, I was able to spend time along the Western Front and conduct extensive research in Brussels, Ieper, Paris and London. It was incredibly powerful to stand

on the very spot where the truce took place. I cannot express how gratifying it has been to tell the story of these heroic men in performances across the country and around the globe.

Cantus, one of the original collaborators along with Theater Latté Da and later with Hennepin Theatre Trust, will direct its attention to additional holiday performances and other artistic activities after the 2014 tour and Pantages engagement. Says tenor Aaron Humble, The seven years weve been a part of All Is Calm have been a joyful experience for both the ensemble and our followers. The productions brilliant blending of the musical arrangements with this amazing story has further inspired us to explore other dramatic narratives in our programming. It has been a fantastic collaboration.

Since the 2007 world premiere at Joan of Arc Catholic Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church (aired live on Classical Minnesota Public Radio), All Is Calm has enjoyed global success with broadcasts through American Public Media and the European Broadcasting Union. The program has won awards including the Gold World Medal at the 2010 New York Festivals and the 2010 Gabriel Award, which honors works of excellence in broadcasting that serve audiences through the positive, creative treatment of concerns to humankind.

All Is Calm has also earned acclaim by touring the United States for six seasons, reaching nearly 50 cities with stops at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), and upcoming 2014 performances at Cal Performances (Berkeley, CA) and the Metropolitan Museum (New York). The work is now being licensed by theater companies and choruses across the country and Canada.

The original All Is Calm cast recording was completed with Minnesota Public Radio and distributed nationally in December 2008. It is available for purchase on CD at cantussings.org. For additional information, also visit Alliscalm.org

Reaction from the Press:

A dramatic, real-life musing about the power this season has to make us stop, reflect, and decide to operate in a mode of peace.Lani Willis, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine

A work of beautynot only an outstanding piece of musical theater, but a brilliantly executed production that understands that its power comes from its simplicity.Rob Hubbard, St. Paul Pioneer Press

TICKET INFORMATION

All Is Calm tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2014 and are priced at $28 and $39 for adults; $18 and $27 for students (ages 6-18) and military/veterans (with valid i.d.). Prices depend on seating preference and are subject to change. Additional fees may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, through Ticketmaster by calling 800.982.2787 or by visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Groups of 10 are eligible for discounts and should call 612.373.5665 or email MinneapolisGroups@BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com for information and reservations. Performances are held at the Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403.

Performance dates and times: Wednesday, Dec. 17 through Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014

Wednesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 21, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Added Bonus! The Friday 7:30 p.m. performance will include a post-show Talk Backs with members of the company. All audience members are invited to stay and participate.

For more information on All Is Calm and other work by Cantus and Theater Latté Da please visit cantussings.org and latteda.org. For more information regarding Hennepin Theatre Trust activities, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Cantus is known worldwide for its trademark warmth and blend and its engaging performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st Century. As one of the countrys only two full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has grown to prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process. Cantus performs more than 60 concerts each year both in national and international touring, as well as in its home of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Each year the artists of Cantus share their own love of singing with thousands of students through workshops and master classes to ensure the future of choral arts. Cantus has released 16 albums on its own self-titled label, many widely acclaimed by media such as The New York Times, NPR, Fanfare and critics around the country. The latest Cantus recording, Song of a Czech: Dvo?ák and Janá?ek for Mens Voices, was released in 2013.

Theater Latté Da, founded by Peter Rothstein and Denise Prosek, is an award-winning Twin Cities musical theater company that combines music and story to illuminate the breadth and depth of the human experience. The company seeks to create new connections between story, music, artists and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater. Theater Latté Da is a leader in the musical theater art form, having produced over 50 mainstage productions including 9 world premieres, 9 area premieres and dozens of productions celebrated for their bold re-imagination. latteda.org

Hennepin Theatre Trust, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Hennepin Avenue cultural district in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Trusts activities include presenting Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidential series, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including our SpotLight Musical Theatre and Critical Review programs for high schools, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Family Day events.