For Immediate Release: November 7, 2005
Media Contact: Kevin Glaccum, Azuka Theatre, 215.733.0255

Fresh from the success of last spring's Four, Azuka Theatre announces its latest production, 'Twas the Night , a zany take on the venerable (and epic) poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Azuka Theatre’s first-ever holiday show (bring the kids!) debuts December 6 and runs through December 31 Upstairs at the Prince Music Theater. Written by Veronica Griego and directed by Domenick Scudera, the play - featuring Philadelphia favorites Lee Etzold, Buck Schirner, Amanda Schoonover, Steve Wright, John Zak joined by newcomers Foster Cronin and Todd Rodenhiser- focuses on a group of hapless television staffers forced to perform the poem on live TV. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for kids16 and under; group and family rates are available. Call Upstages at 215-569-9700.

Local television station W-KRIS is getting ready to do their annual reading of the poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. Moments before they go on the air, the crew is told the poem has to be performed. They wildly scramble to try and portray the characters, including reindeer, on the spot! All of the action of the show will be seen not only by the ‘studio audience’ but a ‘T.V. audience’ as well. There will be a live video camera operating during the show, so that audiences be treated to not only what is happening in the studio, but will be able to see what is going out “on the air” projected on a giant screen.

“I had this idea for a Christmas show for years” says play write Veronica Griego. “It wasn’t until I started seeing the work of Azuka Theatre that I felt I had found a good home for the play. Farce is very difficult to do, which is why I was really pleased Azuka brought on Domenick Scudera. I’ve admired his work for a long time and he feels like a perfect fit for this material”.

“Azuka Theatre is excited to be entering the world of family theatre” says Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum. “We’ve worked for years encouraging younger people to come to the theatre, now we’re going after the youngest audiences we can find! We’re also pleased to be producing another world premier, which brings the total number of those we’ve produced to five. We’ve always been committed to fostering new work and new talent”.

“This is one of the biggest show we’ve ever done” adds Glaccum, “all this, and our first Educational/Outreach program as well. We’re thrilled to be going to Bodine High School at 4th and Girard to start teaching acting and writing for the stage. We’ll be bringing students from Bodine to see ‘Twas the Night. For some of these students it will be the first time they’ve seen a play, and they’re very excited. It’s a very exciting time for all of us.”

Azuka Theatre was founded in 1999 by group of artists participating in the Arden Theatre Company’s nationally recognized Professional Apprentice Program. Azuka Theatre has built a reputation for accessible, thought-provoking and socially minded theatre. Over the past six seasons, Azuka Theatre Collective has produced nine plays and been hailed as “a company to watch” and a “major player on the Philadelphia alternative theatre scene,” by the Philadelphia Weekly. In 1999 they were awarded the Philadelphia Gay News’ LAMDA Award for Outstanding Arts Event for their first production, La Rue des Faux. In 2004 they received a Barrymore Award Nomination for Outstanding New Play for An Artist’s Workshop.

CREATIVE TEAM

Veronica Griego (writer) has made her way through the theatrical arts as a professional stage manager, production manager, painter and electrician all across this country and in one capacity or another; she's worked in virtually every major theater in the Philadelphia area. Originally from Japan, and the west coast, this production of 'Twas the Night marks her East Coast scripting debut. She has had her words produced and published in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado in English and Spanish.

Domenick Scudera (Director) is an assistant professor of theater at Ursinus College and coordinator of the college’s new Theater and Dance department. A professional theater artist since 1987, Scudera has directed plays for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Historic Philadelphia Inc., Fictitious Theater Company, the New Hope Performing Arts Festival, and his own company, Theater Rumpus, among others. Most recently, he directed the hit, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged], for the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival.

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