FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sally M Veillette
518.929.8049
200th Birthday Theatrical Celebration of
’Twas the Night Before Christmas at Crossgates
Guilderland, NY – The TWAS200 cast, birthed by Massimo Leggio, director from Italy, and Sally Veillette, producer and founder of www.Christmas200.com, will perform at Crossgates on the lower level near Burlington and Apple, and throughout the Capital District this week. The 20-minute skit goes behind the scenes, to 201 years ago, before ’Twas the Night Before Christmas was penned… when Santa’s magic, for the first time, was revealed.
Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, published on December 23, 1823, in our very own Troy, NY, was the first time that Saint Nicholas’s reindeer-drawn sleigh was mentioned as his method of traveling around the world. Only then were the true number of reindeer revealed (and their secret names spoken). Until that moment, children didn’t know how Santa used the chimney to enter their homes. Before 1823, this magic was a mystery.
“Kids need to be reminded that magic is the true force that powers this world,” claims producer Sally Veillette. “This season, I want to scream from the rooftops—the very roofs in which Santa’s sleigh lands—that magic is REAL!”
Set aside thoughts of global pandemics, political chasms, and foreign wars… and band together in world unity. TWAS200’s skit travels to when an elf first thought of how to attract Clement’s attention and engage Clement’s creative powers. The elf draws ordinary people from the “terrestrial” world and brings them into a magical dimension, as Clement looks on. ’Twas the Night Before Christmas is recited in English, Dutch, Italian and Spanish.
Veillette has published the Moore’s poem in 20 languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian (with Milanese, Neapolitan, Salentino and Sicilian dialects), Malayalam, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Sinhala, Spanish and Ukrainian.
Poems were translated by a worldwide group of over 80 volunteers from 20 countries. A multilingual TWAS200 app is coming soon!
PERFORMANCES
Thur, 30 Nov: 5pm, 6pm
Crossgates, near Burlington
Sun, 3 Dec: 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Victorian Stroll, Main Stage in Monument Square, Troy, NY
Follow Crossgates on Facebook & Instagram for updates on holiday events, promotions & sales offered throughout the season.
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About Crossgates:
Crossgates is the Capital Region’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination offering an impressive selection of national brands and the newest retail concepts. The center is anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Primark and Best Buy, while offering more than 180 retail shops, including Apple. Crossgates offers 10 entertainment venues and over 20 on-site eateries, such as Dave & Buster’s, Get Air, Billy Beez, Apex Entertainment, The Standard Restaurant & Lounge, Maggie McFly’s and Regal Cinemas with IMAX. Or simply relax at our award-winning day spa, Spa Mirbeau. Located adjacent to a dual-branded 192-room Homewood Suites and Tru by Hilton hotel, Crossgates is your destination to EAT. SHOP. PLAY. STAY. Additional information regarding Crossgates can be found at shopcrossgates.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Pyramid Management Group, LLC:
Pyramid Management Group, owner of Crossgates, is one of the largest, most innovative, privately-held real estate developers in the northeast. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York, Pyramid’s portfolio of dynamic shopping, dining and entertainment destinations and expanding hospitality presence dominates the northeast with 14 properties located throughout New York and Massachusetts. For nearly 50 years, Pyramid has built its reputation on being first, fast, ahead of the curve and always what’s next, leading the industry in combining the best elements of traditional retail with world-class dining and entertainment, all under one roof. For more information, visit www.pyramidmg.com.