LEXINGTON, Va., Nov. 15, 2022—The VMI Theatre will present “A Storyteller’s Holiday” on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2:00 p.m. in Gillis Theater.

The show will be presented in “storyteller mode,” and includes stories and music in celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter season, featuring some from VMI Theatre’s past holiday shows. "Christmas Every Day," by William Dean Howells, poses the question of what it would be like to celebrate Christmas more than just once a year. In American author Bret Harte's folk-story, "How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar," a special Christmas is celebrated in an isolated California mining camp during the mid-19^th century gold-rush days. "Christmas at VMI" is celebrated in its own special way as told by a VMI alum from the Class of '03 and shared by two current cadets. Two stories of Hanukkah and how it is celebrated and shared with others are featured in "The Story of Hanukkah," and "A Bittersweet Christmas." A shepherd and the weary staff of a Bethlehem inn wonder about a strange star and some of the travelers housed in a stable in "What Happened at the Inn." A sing-along with the cast and audience, and other carols setting the scenes for the stories will also be featured. 

Cadets in the cast include Matthew Frazier ’23, Maximilian Kleeberg ’25, Colin Nicassio ’26, Nicole Samella ’26, and Victoria Wright ’24. Community performers are Melanie Botulinski, Brian Ellis, Finn Ellwood, Andrew Hartless, Marianne Hause, Don Kludy, Jan Lowry, Jack Page, Shay Peters, Melou Piegari, Tim Price, and Maria McLellan Quillin. The play is directed by long-time VMI Theatre director, Joellen Bland, assisted by Linda Gorman, and technical director, Steven Utt. 

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens ages 65 and over. Cash or check only payable at the door. Cadets and children ages six and under are free. Reservations are not required. Gillis Theater is located in Marshall Hall on VMI post.

For additional information, contact Joellen Bland at 540-464-7389 or blandjk@vmi.edu.

-VMI-