All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Returns to the Pantages, December 19-22, 2012

Tickets Go On Sale at 11 a.m., Friday, June 1, 2012

“… a classic to be repeated for years to come"—Graydon Royce, Minneapolis Star Tribune Presented by Cantus, Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust

MINNEAPOLIS—All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, the poignant production that has become a Twin Cities’ holiday classic and an annual theatre-going tradition, will return for six performances only Wednesday through Saturday, December 19–22, 2012 at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. With words and songs drawn from the era, All Is Calm recalls the remarkable and spontaneous World War I truce between Allied and German forces in No Man's Land over Christmas 1914. This compelling ode to peace was created by Theater Latté Da’s acclaimed artistic director Peter Rothstein and features Cantus, one of America’s finest vocal ensembles, with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. All Is Calm is a collaboration among Cantus, Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m., Friday, June 1. To purchase and for more information visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

All Is Calm relives the story of 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 each others’ dead. In some places the truce lasted only a night, in others until New Year’s Day. This dramatic re-telling contains actual quotes and letters from thirty World War I figures brought to life by actors Matt Rein, David Roberts and Alan Sorenson.

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

Rothstein, hailed as one of the Twin Cities’ premiere directors, worked five years to develop All Is Calm. He remembers, “I wanted to tell the story in their words, so I created the drama primarily through found text including letters, official war documents, autobiographies, World War I poetry, grave stone inscriptions and even an old radio broadcast. 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 this extraordinary happening took place. For decades, the Christmas truce was considered a romantic fable, however there is no doubt thousands of courageous men took part.”

The world premiere of All Is Calm was broadcast live on Classical Minnesota Public Radio and has since been heard around the globe through American Public Media and the European Broadcast Union. The program won 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. The original All Is Calm cast recording from this highly acclaimed collaboration between Cantus and Theater Latté Da is available for purchase on CD and as a download at cantussings.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 beauty…not 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

Tickets are on sale now and priced at $28 and $35.50 for adults; $25 and $15 for students (ages 6-18), seniors (age 62+) 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 for information and reservations. Performances are held at the Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403.

Performance dates and times: Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Added Bonus! The Friday 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 2 p.m. performances include post-show “Talk Backs” with Peter Rothstein and members of the company. All audience members at these shows 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.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is dedicated to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. We present a rich array of live performances, create inspiring arts education experiences and advance a thriving cultural destination in downtown Minneapolis. Our programs include Broadway touring productions, the Broadway Confidential series, our SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, the Critical View student reviewer program, the free ticket Access Program and Kids’ Night and participating in the planning for the cultural corridor that will extend from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to the Mississippi Riverfront.

Cantus is acclaimed as the “premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” (Fanfare) and distinguishes itself with its remarkable musical versatility.  Touring nationally and enjoying sold-out concerts in its home of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Cantus is featured this season as Artists in Residence on American Public Media’s Performance Today, heard by over 1 million listeners each week

Theater Latté Da is a Twin Cities musical theater company recognized for its ability to connect artists, audiences and communities through diverse stories that are both entertaining and enlightening. The company seeks to create new connections between story, music, artists and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater.