John K. Alvarez is the ninth out of ten children and he was raised by two parents who encouraged him to write. Coming from a large family, it was not hard for Mr. Alvarez to know practically every Christmas story, since he has heard them many times over the years. Besides Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!), Mr. Alvarez has collaborated with other writers on other plays, such as The Trial of Blackbeard, the Pirate (with The Shaky Pudding Players) and Cape May on Fire (with Eric Hissom and Michael Laird) as well as writing plays all by himself, such as A Voice in the Mist, Uncle John's Christmas Story, and Losing Myself (in palaces of sand). Mr. Alvarez wishes to dedicate his contribution to this play to his parents, for teaching him that the best way to enjoy the holidays is with humor.

Michael Carleton is the Producing Artistic Director of the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival. He directs frequently at regional theatres around the United States. As a playwright his plays include Michelangelo's Ladder, Anais Nin: An Unprofessional Study, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!), and Hyde, in the Shadows. He is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio in New York.

James FitzGerald, a Chicago-based actor, has earned two Joseph Jefferson Awards for Best Supporting Actor, a Jeff Citation for Best Actor, and has appeared for 16 seasons with Chicago Shakespeare Theater as well as many other theaters in the Chicagoland area. Mr. FitzGerald is also co-author of ...Two for the Show..., a rollicking musical vaudeville and winner of the 2006 After Dark Award for Best New Work. He is currently working on a new play; Flatfoots.

Check out our current selections available in the lobby at Bob's Bar:

Save time and skip the line by pre-ordering your drink and snacks before the show to have it waiting for you at intermission!

You may take drinks and snacks into the theater with you during the show.

Hot Chocolate Bar

Nice ($5): A classic hot chocolate with traditional toppings

Naughty ($10): Add Bailey's, whiskey, or peppermint schnapps

Santa's Coal List ($13): A combo of 2 add-on's

Specialty Cocktail

The Cranberry Kringle
We love our Christmas spirits, so we added some cheer to your vodka cranberry with a ginger-infused simple syrup.  And don't forget the mistle-toast!

Beer & Cider | $7                           

 
Wine | $8                                         
Montecastrillo Tinto Tempranillo (presented 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab)
Hayes Chardonnay
Hayes Sauvignon Blanc    
Hayes Cabernet Sauvignon          
Hayes Pinot Noir 
 
Liquor | $9                                             
Jim Beam 
Maker’s Mark
Tanqueray Gin 
Tito’s Vodka 
Sauza Tequila
Cruzan Rum 
Jameson
 
Premium Selections
Johnnie Walker Black  - $12
Laphroaig 10yr - $14
 
Non Alcoholic Beverages  | $3
Pepsi
Diet Pepsi
Sierra Mist
Sunkist
Canada Dry
Water
San Pellegrino
Coffee
Tea 
 
Treats | $3        
Chocolate Malts
Gummy Bears 
Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Published 178 years ago, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was an instant bestseller, and has inspired countless print, stage, and screen adaptations, adapted by everyone from the Muppets to the Flintstones. For millions of people throughout history, reading or watching A Christmas Carol is a sacred tradition. I know it is in my family!

However timeless A Christmas Carol seems today, it was very much the product of a particular moment in history, and Dickens used this story to weigh in on specific issues of his day. Originally envisioned as a pamphlet, which he planned on calling, “An Appeal to the People on England on behalf of the Poor Man’s Child,” Dickens quickly realized he would reach a wider audience if he disguised his message within a short story.

Dickens was first inspired to write the story that would become A Christmas Carol in the Spring of 1843, having just read government report on child labor in the United Kingdom. Children in the report spoke of working 16 hours a day, 6 days a week – not unlike Martha Cratchit. The harsh reality of child labor was the result of revolutionary changes in British society. The population of England had grown 64% between Dickens’ birth in 1812 and 1843 when the report was published. To meet increased consumer demand, employers treated their workers as tools as interchangeable as any cog in a machine. They took advantage of those who were neediest. In fact, wages were so low the 1840s earned the nickname “The Hungry ‘40s.” And who worked for the lowest wages? Children.

So, what Dickens proposes in A Christmas Carol was really quite radical, in that it rejected England’s “modern” ideas about work and the economy. Through his beloved story, Dickens expressed a belief that employers are responsible for the well-being of their employees. The value of workers extends beyond what they are able to create for the cheapest possible labor cost. Rather, workers have value simply as a fellow human being. Employers should treat their employees as human beings, and certainly no worse than they would treat themselves. In other words, Dickens reminded his 19^th Century readers, and countless others since, not to mistake their good fortune of landing in a high place for their worth.

A charitable Christmas lesson, indeed.

Austria and Germany: Krampus

Across Europe, Jolly Old St. Nicholas has an evil counterpart with one task: to punish bad children before Christmas. Instead of a red suit and white beard, picture a red devil with cloven hooves, horns, and a long tongue. Instead of a sleigh full of toys, Krampus travels with chains and a basket for abducting especially bad children. That’s plenty of incentive to stay off the naughty list.

Japan: Kentucky Fried Chicken 

It’s finger lickin’ festive! Believe it or not, traditional Christmas dinner for millions of Japanese people is not turkey or ham, but a bucket of the Colonel’s own KFC. This quirky custom is the legacy of a 40-year-old marketing campaign wherein the fast-food chain successfully convinced Japanese customers that fried chicken is the traditional American yuletide feast. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Colonel Sanders appears dressed as Santa and chicken is served in special holiday packaging.

Italy: La Befana

Italian children are taught that their Christmas gifts are delivered not by Santa Claus, but by an old witch named La Befana who uses her broom to clean untidy bedrooms. This story can be traced back to Strenia, the Roman Goddess of strength and endurance – and the distributor of gifts!

North America: The Christmas Pickle

A lesser-known but cherished American tradition is the pickle ornament. How does it work? In the days leading up to December 25, a glass pickle ornament is hidden within the branches of a Christmas tree. Then, the first person to find the pickle on Christmas morning gets a special prize — or they get to open the first gift. The origins of this unexpected Christmas decoration, with origin stories ranging from the German tradition of Weihnachtsgurke, to tales of Civil War soldiers longing for a pickle on Christmas morning, to a cannibalistic butcher who killed children and kept them in pickle barrels (yes, really). No one can definitively say where this tradition got started but Old World Christmas, the premier glass ornament maker in America, says that the pickle ornament has been their top selling ornament for the past 37 years.

Figgy Pudding 

“Oh, bring us some…” Wait, what exactly is figgy pudding?

Figgy Pudding – sometimes called plum pudding or Christmas pudding – originated in 14^th Century England as a way to preserve food in preparation for the holiday season. Beef and mutton were mixed with raisins, prunes, wines, and spices. In the Early 15th Century, the dish had morphed into a hearty entrée called “plum pottage” – a mix of meats, grains, vegetables, fats, spices, and fruits. The mixture was then stuffed into sausage casings and eaten throughout the winter when fruits and vegetables were scarce. By the end of the 1500s, fruits were becoming more common in England and “figgy pudding” went from being savory to sweet. The Christmas carol “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” also dates back to the late 16^th Century, forever linking “figgy pudding” with Christmas cheer.

Modern-day figgy pudding resembles a bread pudding or sticky toffy cake, with lots of brown sugar, dates, raisins, or currants. Ironically, figs have never actually been an official ingredient, but they are included from time to time, inspiring the well-known name along the way.

Fruitcake

Love it or hate it, you’ve likely had fruitcake. Did you know, the modern fruitcake can be traced back to the Middle Ages as dried fruits became more widely available and fruited breads entered Western European cuisine? Variations on the fruitcake can be seen around the world, from the panforte in Italy, the stollen in Germany, and black cake in the Caribbean with fruit soaked in rum for up to a year.

Thanks to its high sugar content and common addition of alcohol, the fruitcake is remarkably shelf stable, making it the ideal dessert before the invention of refrigeration. In the 18^th and 19^th Centuries, the fruitcake was an indulgence – you were lucky to have access to the ingredients needed to make one. Fruitcake got an assist from mass production in the 1900s, and factory-produced, mail order fruitcakes quickly fell from grace becoming the punchline of many jokes… and holiday plays at a certain Shakespeare theater!

For a more modern take on the oft-reviled fruitcake, check out this one using apricots, cherries, raisins, and of course, rum.

Rum Tum Pumple Tarts

Let’s be honest, no one knows what a Rum Tum Pumple Tart is. And I’m certain Mary Berry has never even said the word “Pumple.” But, I did find an excellent recipe for a Sugar Plum Tart that captures the spirit of the holiday.

Ingredients:

• Pate Sablee
• Almond Frangipane
• 1 lb. 2 oz. of small plums, halved and pitted
• 3 tbs. of raw sugar
• Powdered sugar for dusting

To Prepare:

1. Press dough into a 10-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom. Refrigerate 10 minutes. Trim dough flush with top edge of pan. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line tart shell with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges are golden, about 10 minutes. Remove parchment and weights; continue baking until surface is golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
3. Spread frangipane in shell. Arrange plums, cut sides up, on top in concentric circles, pressing gently. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Just before serving, dust tart with confectioners' sugar.

Trading Santa’s Sleigh for a Norelco Razor!

In the 1960s and ‘70s, Santa traded in his sleigh for a Norelco Razor! Often credited as one of the most successful commercials in advertising history, these beloved ads featured Santa on a razor-like toboggan, bringing the perfect razor or vanity item for every person on your holiday shopping list. These ads were among the most advanced pieces of animation anywhere, not just on tv commercials. If you love the Coca-Cola polar bears or Campbell’s Soup Snowman, you can thank the Norelco Razor for setting the standard of holiday ads and encouraging other brands to follow suit.

Noëlco… Even their name says “Merry Christmas!”

You can watch a few vintage ads here!

Trim your Tree with CSC!

When you make a donation of $100 or more to any CSC Fund throughout the run of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told,” you will receive a commemorative ornament as our gift to you, designed by Resident Costume Designer, Rainy Edwards. Celebrate the season of “Together Again” and support Cincinnati Shakespeare Company this December.

Making a gift in someone’s honor? This ornament makes a thoughtful donation even more special.

Make a donation and pick up your ornament tonight in the Box Office or by going online here.

PLAYWRIGHT SPOTLIGHT
Meet the playwrights behind two world premieres at CSC

Join us for two immersive discussions with Isaiah Reaves and Alice Scovell, the voices behind The Living Dead and forthcoming The Rewards of Being Frank.

INCLUDING a flash writing class hosted by WordPlay Cincy!

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TO THESE FREE EVENTS

Sun, January 8 5:30-7PM and Sat, January 28 5:30-7PM

Scroll down for more information on the playwrights

ISAIAH REAVES

Sunday, January 8 | 5:30-7PM
Learn more here
Reserve your seat

ALICE SCOVELL

Saturday, January 28 | 5:30-7PM
Learn more here
Reserve your seat 

Extend your theatric experience by seeing the performance of The Rewards of Being Frank following the event!

Playwright Spotlight is a free event open to the public; tickets must be purchased to watch the performance of The Rewards of Being Frank following the event.

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TO THESE FREE EVENTS
Sun, January 8 5:30-7PM and Sat, January 28 5:30-7PM

INCLUDING a flash writing class with WordPlay Cincy

About WordPlay Cincy
WordPlay sparks storytelling through writing, performance, and visual arts in collaboration with Cincinnati’s young people by celebrating their strengths, cultivating belonging, and fueling social impact.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s first five new play commissions are made possible by a gift from The McElroy Family. We are forever grateful for their support.

CSC's Playwright Spotlight is generously sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest.

Friends of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

We wish to thank the following individuals for their support of the 2022-2023 Season. We are forever grateful. CSC recognizes donors $100 and above in the Donor Roll. This list reflects gifts received July 1, 2022 – December 6, 2022.

We endeavor to recognize correctly all of our supporters. If you see a problem with this list, please accept our apologies and email sara.clark@cincyshakes.com to correct. Thank you.

Diane Adamec

Stuart and Sarah Aitken

Frank Albi

Dr. Bruce Allen

Lisa Allgoodd

Americana Arts Foundation

Jeffrey and Karen Anderson

Anonymous (5)

Trish and Joe Baker

Mary Baskett

John Batchelor

Dr. Rubin Battino

Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer

Chase and Karen Bramwell

Derek D Brancheau

M.C. and Tom Brennan

Vikki Brown

Jubilee Brown

Mr. Otto Budig

Kathleen Cail

Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Ashlee Morris

Larry and Julie Chandler

Nancy Cisneros

Hon. James Cissel

Lee and Lisa Clapp

Carol C. Cole

Heather Cole

Kathleen Collins

Mr. Willard H Connor Jr

Cindy Crilley

Donald and Victoria Daiker

Marjorie E. Davis

Scott Goebel and Emily Detmer-Goebel

David and Kelley Downing

Drunk Santa's Dad

Nikki Drye

Thomas and Dale Due

Marilyn and Rance Duke

Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker

Christine Dye

Rick and Melissa Eder

Elizabeth End

Steven Skibo and Susan Esler

Sarah Faulkner

Allyson Fleischer

Michelle Getz

Maria Gomez and Rich Hill

Kim Good

Elizabeth and John Grover

Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder

Stew and Linda Hall

Catherine Hamilton Hicks

Daniel J. Hoffheimer

Chris Holloway

Haleigh Hopkins

Keith and Farrah Jackson

Brett and Amy Johnson

Steve Kane

Mark and Marcy Kanter

Dr. Robert Keith and Kathleen Thornton

Emily S. Kennedy

Charles Kichler and Nicole Bramesco

Beverly Kinney

Gail and Eric Kirchner

Ms. Linda Klump

The Knuth Family

Bruce and Elizabeth Krone

Chris and Julie Kuhnhein

Stan Ladrick

Robert and Ellie Lamb

Jean and Charles Lauterbach

Mr. David Lazarus

Chandra Linn

John-Peter Lund

Ms Sophia McAllister

JoAnn McCaughan

John McFerran

Karen McKim

Darcy McMahon

Julia Meister and Michael Schroeder

Patrick and Melissa Melugin

Ted Molinari

Bridee Morris

Kim Morrow

Jack and Ruta Mueller

Christine and Jason Mulvin

TJ Murphy

Chris Nare and Lori Rappold

Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena

Fred and Barbara Norton

Whitney Owens

Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter

Ms. Taina Pankiewicz

Graham and Karen Paxton

Rick Pender and Joan Kaup

Janet and Tim Peter

Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Mitchell and Karen Rashkin

Kelly Read

Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd

Vicky and Rick Reynolds

Mr. Dan Reynolds

Joyce Rich

Catherine R.

James W Roberts

Barbara Norris

Patty Rosely

Mr. Louis Ross

Dr and Mrs Eric Ruby

Jessica Ruebusch

Kimberly Saliba

Jennifer Sauvey

Susan Schapiro

Suzanne M. Schindler

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Rich Schultz

Alice Scovell

Dr. Catherine Shackson

Saira Shahani and Rick Warm

McCready-Shore Family Fund

David Smith

Carol and Annie Sostok

Dr William Spohn and Dr Margaret Dunn

Ms. Mary Stier

Pete and Ginger Strange

Steve Sullivan

Don and Linda Tecklenburg

Robert and Sue Trusty

James Vachon

Rosalie P. van Nuis

Levy-Wall Family Fund

Carrie Walsh

William Watts

Ms. Donna Welch

Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson

Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus

Dr. H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams

Beverly Williams

Leo Yakutis

George and Nancy Yund

Justin and Marie Zimmerman

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