Event Name

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2014

Contact: Ann Birnschein, Marketing Director

(920) 854-6117

abirnschein@folkloretheatre.com

American Folklore Theatre Presents Home for the Holidays with AFT

Door County's award-winning American Folklore Theatre (AFT) has announced the line-up for its annual holiday concert show at the Old Gibraltar Town Hall. Now in its eighth incarnation, "Home for the Holidays with AFT" will feature two well-known wedded duos. Katie Dahl and Rich Higdon along with Molly Rhode and Chase Stoeger team up to create a cozy couples quartet for this year's holiday show. The all-new concert for 2014 will play for five performances from December 26th through December 31st.

Wisconsin singer-songwriter Katie Dahl has performed her original songs everywhere from the country of Mali, West Africa, to southern France, to the American northwoods. An AFT fan for as long as she can remember, Katie made her first appearance on the AFT stage in the 2009 production Sunsets and S'mores. Katie is also a playwright whose musical Victory Farm premiered at AFT to high acclaim in 2012. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that Katie Dahl "combine[s] old-fashioned populism, an abiding love of the land, and wickedly smart love songs, all delivered in a rich and expressive alto."

Rich Higdon is a multi-instrumentalist who has shared the stage with his new wife, Katie Dahl, all across the country playing string bass, washboard, spoons, jug, and ukulele. As an actor, Rich worked extensively with Paul Sills, pioneer of story theatre. Rich is also a founding member of The Water Street Hot Shots, who were finalists in the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. "The Hot Shots are a talented bunch of fellows who bring a depth of musicality to the proceedings." The Old-Time Herald.

Molly Rhode is a regular performer at American Folklore Theatre, appearing with her family in last winter's Home for the Holidays and this year in Strings Attached. She also directed AFT's 2014 revival of Packer Fans from Outer Space. Molly has acted on all of Milwaukee's professional stages and in Madison and Spring Green. She was heralded in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as, "a talented triple-threat who has been acting, singing, and dancing in Milwaukee for more than two decades..." and was recognized as one of Milwaukee's up-and-coming directors.

This is Chase Stoeger's eighth season with AFT. He had the pleasure to perform with the Rhode Family for Home for the Holidays this last winter. He also appeared this year in Strings Attached and Packer Fans from Outer Space. Chase is a regular face on Milwaukee stages, most recently appearing in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. BroadwayWorld.com says Stoeger "can win over any audience" with his performances.

This merry band will keep your toes tapping and your heart humming with holiday classics, original folk songs, AFT favorites, and plenty of surprises! Join them for a warm and whimsical evening of song.

Performances of "Home for the Holidays" are scheduled for 7pm on December 26th and 4pm on December 27th, 29th, 30th and 31st. Tickets are $22 for adults and $13 for children. Advance tickets are available by calling (920) 854-6117, online at www.FolkloreTheatre.com, or by stopping in the AFT office, which is located at the Green Gables Shops in North Ephraim. All seats are General Admission. Any remaining tickets will be sold at Gibraltar Town Hall beginning 45 minutes before each performance. As a special holiday treat, each show will also feature a drawing for gift certificates from local businesses.

American Folklore Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre organization that produces original musical shows in repertory from June through August. AFT continues its performances into the fall with shows at the Door Community Auditorium September through October and over the Christmas holidays in local town halls. Beginning officially in January 2015, American Folklore Theatre will debut a new name: "Northern Sky Theater."

Logos and photos available in other formats and sizes upon request: abirnschein@folkloretheatre.com

Chase Stoeger, Molly Rhode, Katie Dahl, Rich Higdon