All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914,

a New Holiday Tradition at the Pantages, Runs December 19-22

Tickets Go On Sale at 10 a.m., Friday, June 7, 2013

a classic to be repeated for years to come"Graydon Royce, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Presented by Cantus, Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust

MINNEAPOLISAll Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, the poignant production that has become a Twin Cities holiday classic and an annual theatre-going tradition, will return for its sixth anniversary run for six performances only Thursday through Sunday, December 1922, 2013 at the historic Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. With words and songs drawn from the era, All Is Calm recalls the remarkable and spontaneous World War I truce between Allied and German forces in No Man's Land over Christmas 1914. This moving ode to peace was created by Theater Latté Das acclaimed artistic director Peter Rothstein and features Cantus, one of Americas finest vocal ensembles, with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. All Is Calm is a collaboration among Cantus, Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., this Friday, June 7. To purchase and for more information visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

All Is Calm relives an astounding moment in history when Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the holiday together by trading carols, sharing food and drink, playing soccer and burying the dead. In some places the truce lasted only a night, in others it endured until New Years Day. This dramatic re-telling contains actual quotes and excerpts from letters written by thirty World War I figures brought to life by actors Matt Rein, David Roberts and Alan Sorenson and interspersed with song.

Cantus beautifully weaves a tapestry of sound, drawing from patriotic tunes, trench songs, medieval Scottish ballads and carols from England, Wales, France and Germany which take on new depths in the context of warfare. Music, an important part of life in the trenches, helped create a context that inspired the truce. All Is Calm opens with a set of carols arranged by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams for his own battalion.

Rothstein, one of the Twin Cities premier directors, worked five years to develop All Is Calm. He recalls, I wanted to tell the story in their words, so I created the drama primarily through found text including letters, official war documents, autobiographies, World War I poetry, grave stone inscriptions and even an old radio broadcast. I was able to spend time along the Western Front and conduct extensive research in Brussels, Ieper, Paris and London. It was incredibly powerful to stand on the very spot where this extraordinary happening took place. For decades, the Christmas truce was considered a romantic fable, however there is no doubt thousands of courageous men took part.

The world premiere of All Is Calm was broadcast live on Classical Minnesota Public Radio and has since been heard around the globe through American Public Media and the European Broadcasting Union. The program won the Gold World Medal at the 2010 New York Festivals and the 2010 Gabriel Award, which honors works of excellence in broadcasting that serve audiences through the positive, creative treatment of concerns to humankind. The original All Is Calm cast recording from this highly acclaimed collaboration between Cantus and Theater Latté Da is available for purchase on CD and as a download at cantussings.org.

Reaction from the Press:

A dramatic, real-life musing about the power this season has to make us stop, reflect, and decide to operate in a mode of peace.Lani Willis, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine

A work of beautynot only an outstanding piece of musical theater, but a brilliantly executed production that understands that its power comes from its simplicity.Rob Hubbard, St. Paul Pioneer Press

TICKET INFORMATION

All Is Calm tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, June 7 and are priced at $28 and $37 for adults; $18 and $27 for students (ages 6-18), seniors (age 65+) and military/veterans (with valid i.d.). Prices depend on seating preference and are subject to change. Additional fees may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, through Ticketmaster by calling 800.982.2787 or by visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Groups of 10 are eligible for discounts and should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations. Performances are held at the Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403.

Performance dates and times: Thursday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013

Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Added Bonus! The Friday 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 2 p.m. performances include post-show Talk Backs with director Peter Rothstein and members of the company. All audience members are invited to stay and participate.

For more information on All Is Calm and other work by Cantus and Theater Latté Da please visit cantussings.org and latteda.org.

Hennepin Theatre Trust, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Hennepin Avenue cultural district in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Trusts activities include presenting Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidential series, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including our SpotLight Musical Theatre and SpotLight Critical Reviewer programs for high schools, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Family Day events.

Theater Latté Da seeks to create new connections between story, music, artist and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater. The theater believes in work that is bold, collaborative and ultimately transformative, acting always with integrity and gratitude. Founded in 1998 by Peter Rothstein and Denise Prosek, Theater Latté Da produces a four-play mainstage season and a major new work development initiative. The company provides complimentary and discounted tickets to students and underserved audiences. As one of the most celebrated organizations of the vibrant Twin Cities arts community, Theater Latté Da has received over 70 awards, including four IVEY Awards for overall excellence, Best Theater of 2011 from City Pages and numerous Best of the Year" nods from the press.

Cantus is known worldwide for its trademark warmth and blend and its engaging performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st Century. The Washington Post has hailed the ensembles sound as having both exalting finesse and expressive power and refers to the spontaneous grace of its music making. As one of the countrys only two full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has grown to prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process. Cantus has released 15 albums on its own self-titled label, each to considerable acclaim. Of That Eternal Day (2010) The New York Times said, the Cantus recording offers many satisfactions, none greater than a touching, ineffably simple performance of The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother) by Bobby McFerrin. The latest Cantus recording, On the Shoulders of Giants, was released in October 2012