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KING ISLAND CHRISTMAS

An Oratorio For The Musical Stage

Libretto by Deborah Brevoort
Music by David Friedman
Based on the book by Jean Rogers

bulletStory Synopsis
bulletLength
bulletCast Requirements
bulletCurrent Score / Musical Arrangements
bullet Awards, Grants, Productions, Publications
bulletReviews
bulletPhoto Gallery

Story Synopsis

Inspired by a true story from the Bering Sea of Alaska. The North Star freighter, carrying the village priest, is anchored in the Bering Sea on Christmas eve, on it’s last arctic voyage before the winter ice closes in around King Island. The waves are too high for the villagers to go out and fetch the priest in their walrus skin boats; without him, there will be no Christmas celebration. In a communal effort, the villagers triumphantly carry their oomiak over a mountain to the calmer waters of the lee, and bring the priest ashore. Christmas is celebrated on King Island.  King Island Christmas is a heartwarming story about the power of community and the ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity.  Although inspired by a historical event, King Island Christmas is a work of fiction.

Length

1 Hour 20 Minutes; No Intermission

Cast Requirements

16-22 Actor / Singers with a Back Chorus of any number

Roles / Solos for 4 Men, 1 Woman, 1 Boy and 1 Girl

Professional productions have been staged with as many as 120 singers by bringing together numerous performing organizations and amateur church and school choirs. (Note: The larger the amateur back chorus, the less number of paid professionals are needed up front in the cast, making larger productions the most economical to produce. The back chorus can perform on-book, greatly reducing rehearsal time)

Current Score / Musical Arrangements

Orchestrations by Peter Matz for a 36- piece orchestra. Orchestrations for 8-, 12-, 16-, 18-, and 24-piece orchestras also available. Can also be done with piano only (piano vocal scores available). The score is completely adaptable to the resources of any community, large or small.

Awards, Grants, Productions, Publications

Over 40 productions since 1997 in the US and Australia. A CD of the work, produced by Thomas Z. Shepard, released in 1999 by the King Island Record Company (Lee Moskof, Jessica Levy, Anne Squadron and Gene Wolsk, producers).  Winner of the 1997 Frederick Loewe Award in Musical Theatre. 1998 Dramatists Guild Musical Theatre Program.

To license King Island Christmas for a production in your community, please contact the author at ContactDBrevoort@ aol.com.

Reviews

“Listeners will be enthralled by this welcome addition to the holiday-music cannon. This original holiday oratorio is sure to become a family/community listening tradition.”
– Publisher’s Weekly
“King Island Christmas breaks every rule and succeeds – much like the true story that inspired it .... Eloquent and soaring score .... One of the best Christmas stories you are likely to see this season .... a tale with a message that will warm you every day of the year.”
– Dallas Morning News
“As soon as I heard the music, I knew this was a special story ... Families will fall in love with this holiday celebration of community, strength and perseverance.”
– Indianapolis Star
“King Island Christmas is a 'must see.'  It nurtures a warm spirit in a hectic holiday season.  King Island Christmas is, like Camelot, a time out of mind.”
– Juneau Empire
Click Here For More Reviews and Audience Reaction ...

Photo Gallery

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(Click on Thumbnails for Larger View)

SIR Studios

Workshop Production, October 2000. Directed by Pat Birch; Set by Eugene Lee; produced by Lee Moskof, Jessica Levy, Anne Squadron and Jerry Link; Molly Ephraim as The Oomiak; Photo by Alese/Morton Pechter

Molly Ephraim and Company

Chuck Cooper as Ooloranna, Chris Valiando as Little Eir, Company

Chuck Cooper and Company sing "Calling The North Star"

Company sings "Over The Mountain"

Molly Ephraim and Men coming down the mountain

Company

Company sings "Agoodik, Muktuk, Salmon and Seal"

Company sings "Whistle To The Northern Lights"

Company sings "Whistle To The Northern Lights"

Douglas Fairbanks Theatre

1999 Concert Reading of King Island Christmas; Directed by Lou Jacob; Produced by Lee Moskof, Jessica Levy, Anne Squadron and Gene Wolsk; Clockwise from L: Chuck Cooper, Jimmy Fall and Bonnie Gleicher

"Over The Mountain"

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 2001

"Whistle To The Northern Lights"

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 2001

Composer David Friedman

Conducts the Perseverance Theatre production; Juneau, Alaska

December 2001

"Agoodik, Muktuk, Salmon and Seal"

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 2001

"It's Love"

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 2001

The Oomiak Brings Father Caroll Ashore

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 2001

Alvin Crawford as Ooloranna

First Production at Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 1997

Father Caroll

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 1997

KIC Finale, "Whistle To The Northern Lights"

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 1997

Arctic Ice

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 1997

Company sings "Waiting"

Perseverance Theatrre; Juneau, Alaska

December 1997

 

Musicals
bulletKING ISLAND CHRISTMAS
bulletCOYOTE GOES SALMON FISHING
bulletGOODBYE MY ISLAND

 

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