[ This Just In! ]
For Immediate Release
Date: November 17, 2006
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A DECADE OF TRADITION, DAMMIT: THE TENTH BEST SALVAGE VANGUARD HOLIDAY EVER.
(Austin, TX)- In December of 1996 parents resorted to elbowing and bribes to obtain a Tickle Me Elmo for their beloved child. Arnold Schwarzenegger was busy promoting Jingle All the Way with his costar Sinbad. Office Christmas parties across the nation were afflicted by spontaneous outbreaks of the Macarena. In Austin, Texas, tradition was in the making.
A decade ago, Austinites young and old squeezed themselves into the confines of downtown's Little City Coffee and Espresso Bar to witness the first Best Salvage Vanguard Holiday Ever. Together, these brave souls joined voices to sing "White Christmas," then sat back to watch five-minute plays written by local playwrights, performed by local talents led by local directors. Since 1996, Salvage Vanguard has grown, producing over 30 new works, expanding its audience base and is presently in the process of building a new home. Throughout, the tradition of the Best Salvage Vanguard Holiday Ever has remained.
"I'm thinking maybe we should change the sing-a-long song this year," says Salvage Vanguard Theater's Artistic Director Jason Neulander from his comfy office chair. "'White Christmas' is getting a little old."
"He thinks, "But it's tradition, you know? I think people get excited because they know they get to sing that song once a year now. Except my wife. She just gets embarrassed when I lead it. I don't know. I like 'White Christmas.' Yeah. We'll keep it."
The format of the Best Salvage Vanguard Holiday Ever has remained intact since that first performance way back in '96. The goal is to create ten five-minute pieces based on a mystery holiday theme word and use actors, writers and directors the company has associated with in the past decade. Only four hours of rehearsal for each piece is allowed and the entire haberdashery is presented in the confines of Little City Coffee House and Espresso Bar (916 Congress Ave).
This year's mystery holiday theme word is "fire." Local writers Lowell Bartholomee, Rebecca Beegle, Ron Berry, Michael Kranes, Shannon McCormick and Greg Romero will provide the five-minute scripts. Aaron Clay, Jason Hays, Zell Miller, III and Cyndi Williams will direct performers Christopher Shea, Chris Hatcher, David Higgins, L.B. Deyo, Shannon Salameh, Etta Sanders, Stephanie Stevens and Nitra Gutierrez. Poetry readings from SVT Company member Hilary Thomas and the annual sing-a-long can also be expected.
"I chose to keep a spoken setting that was North American in a recognizable "roots" sense so that the concept of refugee would come home, as it were, and enter this soil," she adds.
The Tenth Best Salvage Vanguard Holiday Ever will be on December 8th and 9th at 9:00 PM at the Litle City Coffee House and Espresso Bar at 916 Congress Avenue. Admission is $7 to $35 pay-what-you-can. Reservations are not necessary. Visit http://www.salvagevanguard.org for more information or call 474-SVT-6.
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