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An American Century Christmas Press release | Reviews | Tickets American Century Theater audiences are getting a special gift this holiday season: An American Century Christmas, a new musical special full of old classics, Christmas chestnuts, memories, laughs, tears and Christmas spirit. It’s a two hour reflection on how America celebrated Christmas between 1900 and 2000, the century that gave us the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and Macy’s Parade, “White Christmas” and the Grinch. For young children, it’s a chance to experience many of the cherished Christmas moments their parents enjoyed. And for grown-ups, it’s Christmas like it used to be, before legal squabbles over decorations, culture wars, and “Bad Santa.”
Where else can you get O. Henry, Scrooge, George Bailey, Rudolf and “Santa Baby” in one show, along with mistletoe and “carols ‘round the tree”? If you think you’ll need a boost this year to get in the Christmas spirit, Theatre Two at the Gunston Arts Center is the place to go. The husband and wife team of Mick and Patricia Tinder host the evening: both appeared in TACT’s recent Stunt Girl, and have thrilled area audiences as John and Abigail Adams in 1776. Steve Lebens (Hellzapoppin, Call Me Mister), Kathryn Fuller (The Cradle Will Rock; Hollywood Pinafore, Hellzapoppin), Scott Kenison (Laughter at Ten O'Clock), Glenn White (Uncle Tom's Cabin, Hellzapoppin, The Crucible), Adam Juran (Stunt Girl), and Bill Gordon (Happy Birthday, Wanda June, Cops) round out the cast, along with newcomers McCall Noelle Doyle and Ann DeMichele. Helping to create this new-old revue is a team of TACT favorites: AnnMarie Castrigno as lighting designer; Rip Claassen, costumes; Michael Null, the technical director; Trena Weiss-Null, who will adapt her set for Life With Father, and cast members Kathryn Fuller and Bill Gordon, who will double as assistant director and sound designer. Rhonda Hill will stage manage for the 35th time at the company. An American Century Christmas opens Wednesday, December 10, and runs through January 4th.
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January 2009
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An American Century Christmas has been assembled by TACT Artistic Director Jack Marshall and Musical Director Tom Fuller, the same creative team behind TACT’s previous holiday review, If Only in My Dreams. An American Century Christmas contains selections from over 70 songs, including salutes to Gene Autry, romantic Christmas standards, animated Christmas specials, classic Christmas movies, and more, all presented in the format of the TV Christmas variety show specials that used to be staples of the family holiday experience.