FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacey Prohaska
College Relations Associate - Media
610-740-3790

Allentown, PA (November 12, 2001) - For anyone who's ever wanted to scream when they see Christmas decorations up before Halloween or who's taken a holiday job at the local mall, the Friends of Cedar Crest Theatre (FCCT) present the Lehigh Valley premiere of the comedy, "Holiday Punch," a sarcastic, no-holds-barred look at the darker side of the Holiday Season. The show runs December 14 - 16.

"This is a variety show. It has something for everyone - music, dramatic readings, skits, and a hilarious one-act (Sedaris' 'Santaland Diaries') to top it all off," says director Ellen Ann Kafkalas. "I don't think anyone really thinks about what Christmas is anymore - they think about Santa, reindeer and Christmas lists. When they asked me to direct this year's holiday show, I wanted a comedy. I wanted to make people laugh at what the season has become."

In addition to David Sedaris' wickedly funny comedy, "The Santaland Diaries" about his stint as a Macy's holiday elf, "Holiday Punch" is a holiday review that takes a sardonic look at holiday traditions gone awry in the style of popular comedic programs like "Saturday Night Live," "SCTV," "MADTV" and Comedy Central.

Skits include "ACLU Announces Lawsuit Against Santa Claus" by David Bibb, in which Santa is charged with invading the privacy of children; "The X-mas Files" by Paula Poundstone, where gender-specific toys as well as violent toys for kids are taken to task; and a "Politically Correct Night Before Christmas" by P. Halliwell and a "Politically Correct Nativity" by John Leo, where the Humane Society and EPA get involved in Santa's treatment of reindeer and Mary and Joseph struggle to find a multicultural mix of wise men while being hassled by child care workers over their treatment of the Christ child.

Kafkalas, who is marketing director for The Town Hall Theatre, a not-for-profit theatre in New York City, says laughter is the best medicine for a nation still grieving. "I was in New York City when the tragedy took place and afterward, I searched my soul for the relevance of what those of us working in the arts do," she says. "I realized that entertainment has a vital role in our lives and in our recovery. Live entertainment affords people the opportunity to come together for a few hours and have a shared experience. We're able to temporarily forget the challenges and sadness we face. One of the critical steps in rebuilding our beloved New York City is to bolster the strength of the performing arts by attending live events and that is true of any city or town in America."

"Holiday Punch" is also a FCCT fundraiser for the performing arts department that combines the talents of alumnae and current Cedar Crest students. Kafkalas, who graduated from Cedar Crest in 1985, is marketing director of the Box Office at Cedar Crest and co-founder of the FCCT. Since 1987, the FCCT has been raising money for Cedar Crest's performing arts. "The FCCT builds and maintains relationships with College Alumnae, which makes our fundraising events much more meaningful," she says. "It's a unique opportunity for students to work with alumnae."

This year, one of the driving forces behind "Holiday Punch" is an alumna who is travelling cross-country to participate. "Cedar Crest alum Prudence Wehnert '98 is flying from Seattle, where she is assistant technical director for A Contemporary Theatre, to be lighting designer and technical director, as well as play a role, in 'Holiday Punch,'" says Kafkalas. "She recently graduated from CalArts with her master's in technical theatre and design and has done design work in Los Angeles and on Broadway as well as in Europe and Asia with the Richard Foreman group. Her participation is proof that our alumnae are still invested in the department."

"My wish is that people will see 'Holiday Punch' as the satire it is and remember what the season is about," says Kafkalas.

The cast of "Holiday Punch" includes Cedar Crest students Miranda Carman '05 (Lisbon, OH), Cristin Downs '03 (Bensalem, PA), Casandra Mora '03 (Allentown, PA), Nweke '05 (Cincinnati, OH), Nicole Schwab '05 (Equinunk, PA), Kerri-Leigh Taylor '03 (Everett, MA) and Moravian student Rusty Trump. The cast also includes E.J. Mora, Casandra Mora's younger brother, currently a student at Trexler Middle School (Allentown, PA), Ellis Honig, Professor of psychology at Cedar Crest (Laury's Station, PA), Linda Baas, assistant professor of speech and performing arts (Whitehall, PA), Roxanne Amico, chair of the performing arts department (Allentown, PA) and Cedar Crest alumnae Julie Palme '98 (Allentown, PA), Tina Stanley '88 (Allentown, PA) and Prudence Wehnert (Seattle, WA).

Stage manager for the production is Cristin Downs with students Lexi Jones '04 (Glastonbury, CT) and April Barnes '03 (Sharon Hill, PA) assisting. Set design is by student Kanae Heike '03 (Kyoto, Japan). Costumes are by alumna Kimberly D. Rounds '89 (Allentown, PA). Lighting is by alumna Prudence L. Wehnert (Seattle, WA). Production Stage Manager is alumna Stacie Cassel Hoffman, '96 (Perkasie, PA).

"Holiday Punch" runs December 14 and 15 at 8:00 p.m. and December 15 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Alumnae Hall Little Theatre. This play is NOT recommended for children. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information, call the Cedar Crest Box Office at 610-606-4608.