Christmas Revels Brings Its Special Cheer to Depression Era America

David Coffin leading the audience, band, and chorus in this year’s Chrismas Revels.
Photos by Roger Ide.

by Mike Hoban

‘The Christmas Revels: An American Celebration of the Winter Solstice’ – Directed by Patrick Swanson; Musical Direction by Megan Henderson; Set Design by Jeremy Barnett; Sound Design by Bill Winn; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Costume Design by Heidi A. Hermiller; Presented by Revels at The Sanders Theater at Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, through December 29th.

The snow fell early in Cambridge this year, reminding folks that the holiday season is indeed upon us and it’s once again time for the Christmas Revels, the non-traditional holiday family tradition that brings back folks from far and wide, year after year. Founded in 1971, this is the 49th version of Revels, which each year presents a different culture and its traditions centered on the Winter Solstice/Christmas. For this year’s setting, the Revels returns stateside for the first time in recent memory (although the show did touch down in Louisiana in 2016’s Acadian-Cajun version), transporting us back to Depression Era America in 1933.

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