SIC Kicks Off Christmas Season with Madrigal Feaste
Christmas is fast approaching, and Southeastern Illinois College will ring in the season by hosting its 34th annual Madrigal Feaste, Dec. 6 and 7 at 6 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 12:30 p.m. The King, played by Sean Partain (Harrisburg), and Queen, played by Laura Hanrahan (Harrisburg), will preside over this year’s festivities.
For the Madrigal, the general audience sits directly on the stage, which is transformed into an exquisitely decorated castle dining hall designed and constructed by students enrolled in Kimball’s theater classes. As part of the royal court, guests enjoy an intimate evening with the King and Queen as they travel back in time and join the royal family at their annual Christmas Feaste.
The kingly, yet southern, dinner will be catered by BBQ Barn of Harrisburg. Of course, no renaissance dinner would be complete without a boar’s head and hot wassail (spiced apple cider).
Musical selections will include many traditional holiday favorites, including:“O Come and Sing,” “Psalm 117,” “Boar’s Head Carol,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Still, Still, Still,” and more.
SIC’s Madrigal has been a Christmas tradition in Southern Illinois since 1979. It was created by Bruce Boone, former music director, and the late George T. Dennis. From 1994-2003, it was produced by CJ Harbison at Harrisburg High School, but returned to SIC in 2004 to grace the George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center for the first time under the direction of Allan Kimball.
Tickets to this year’s event are $25 per person, which includes the meal and show. Reservations are required in advance, and the deadline for making those reservations is Friday, Nov. 29. Call 618-252-5400 ext. 2486 or 2487, or email boxoffice@sic.edu.
What: Madrigal Feaste – Renaissance Dinner Theatre set on an outlandishly decorated stage. The king and queen have invited guests to a feast at the royal court.
Who: An ensemble of “lords and ladies” perform some favorite traditional Christmas songs – vocal and instrumental – and involve the audience in a “royal” performance. Expect lots of laughs.
When: Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., and Sunday Dec. 8 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Southeastern Illinois College in the George T. Dennis Visual and Performing Arts Center in Harrisburg
Attire: Formal or period dress is suggested, but not required.
Cost: $25 per person. Reservations required by November 29. Only about 100 seats available per performance. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Box Office: 618-252-5400 ext. 2486 and 2487, or boxoffice@sic.edu
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