The “Nearly World Famous” DuffleBag Theatre returns to Fredonia with a unique take on a holiday classic. “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” will be presented on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in Marvel Theatre as part of Rockefeller Arts Center’s Kaleidoscope Family Series.
DuffleBag Theatre, which is making its eighth visit to Fredonia, has become famous around the world with interactive productions in which random audience members are brought on stage to play roles in humorous takes on classic tales.
“One thing you can always expect with a DuffleBag Theatre performance is the unexpected,” said Artistic Director Marcus Lundgren, “Through the guidance of our narrator, we offer our audience some choices and then whatever they choose to do, it’s our job to make it fit as part of the story. The results are often quite hilarious! The improvisation, spontaneity, and theatricality make for an unforgettable experience.”
A narrator tells the story and then finds audience members who look like they would enjoy being part of the story. Selected audience members then join the cast on stage. At a DuffleBag performance the whole audience participates at various points, so every gets a chance to be involved.
DuffleBag Theatre last appeared in Fredonia in October 2016 with “The Three Musketeers.” The cast for the Dec. 1 performance will include Lundgren, Holly Greene, and Michael Bennet-Leroux.
DuffleBag Theatre has 12 different shows that they currently offer, which are all fairy tales and classic stories. An unnamed show is also being developed in the near future.
“'Twas the Night Before Christmas” is sponsored by Dr. Antoinette (Annette) Lukasik as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season. The Kaleidoscope Family Series is sponsored by The Observer. The performance is approximately one hour and is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Tickets are available at the Fredonia Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501, or online.
