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Boars Head Program.Indd To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, make music in the heart To bring peace upon the earth. The St. Paul’s Players proudly present THE A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Friday, January 10 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Salon Enzo ad THE BOAR’S HEAD A Festival of Light St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fairfield, Connecticut January 2020 : Welcome, townspeople! You are herewith invited to participate in the joyous Christmas festivities at the great Manor House of Fayre Field! : PROLOGUE In a Winter Wood As the Priest introduces our ancient festival and the opening chords conjure a wintry night we see the feast’s origins reenacted as the victory of Christianity, represented by the Student, over the forces of darkness, the deadly Boar. ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT BEARER The Yuletide season is one of extremes – hospitable warmth against harsh winter cold, the uncertainties and longings of earthly life conquered by the joy of faith and renewal. The Light Bearer signifies the end of midwinter darkness in the brilliant light our Lord brings each year at his birth. MARCH OF THE BEEFEATERS The Beefeaters, or Yeoman Warders, were established in 1485 as a bodyguard for King Henry VII, and it is believed that their wages were paid partly in beef, hence the nickname. The scarlet and gold dress uniforms are worn on state occasions only; visiting the Tower of London today the Yeoman Warders – men and women – wear a dark blue and red “undress” uniform created by Queen Victoria in 1858. “Masters In This Hall” Words by William Morris Old French Dance Tune THE GREAT PROCESSION Introduced by the Lord and Lady of Fayre Field Manor House, we welcome the Master of the Revels and his disparate band of local players: The Boar’s Head Bearers • Choir • Banners • The Woodfolk, Jesters, and Sprites • The Wassail Ladies and Dancer • The Lords and Ladies • The Sword Dancers and the Spellbinder • Wenceslas and Page • The Morris Dancers • St. Nicholas • The Baker • The Mustard Pot Bearers • The Peacock Pie Bearer • The Plum Pudding Bearer • The Sword Bearer • Mary and Joseph • The Innkeeper’s Wife • The Shepherds • The Angels • King Caspar with Torch Bearer and Page • King Melchior with Torch Bearer and Page • King Balthazar with Torch Bearer and Page. “The Boar’s Head Carol” Traditional English Carol If you like, please join us in singing the Latin refrain: Caput apri defero, reddens laudes Domino. (The Boar’s head I bear, giving praises to the Lord.) DANCE OF THE RIBANDS – Lords and Ladies In which is displayed, by grace of movement and golden ribbons, the holy and harmonious weavings of our earthly lives, accompanied by the most familiar of ancient Yuletide carols. “The Holly and the Ivy” Traditional English Carol THE SWORD DANCERS Mimicking an age-old pastoral ceremony, where agricultural tools may have preceded the use of swords, our performers create a sacred space where death gives way to new life. “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” Traditional English Carol WENCESLAS THE HOLY – King and Pages A vibrant example of human goodness in an unforgiving world, Wenceslas – and the carol that bears his name – prove how small deeds spread Christ’s love from age to age even unto ours. “Good King Wenceslas” Tune from Piae Caniones Words by J. M. Neale ENTRANCE OF THE YULE LOG – Jesters, Woodfolk, Sprites With midwinter nights long, and precious daylight all too scant, Yuletide signifies a shining time. Here we see the handy woodfolk felling the old Yule Tree and bearing the Yule Log into the Manor, creating a place of light and inner warmth with a festoon of Christmas charm and song. Please join in singing the rousing refrain: FA-LA-LA-LA-LA, LA-LA-LA-LA! “Deck the Halls” Traditional Welsh Carol DISPENSING THE WASSAIL – Wassail Ladies Boisterous wassailers were one reason Oliver Cromwell and the Long Parliament passed a Scrooge-like ordinance in 1647 essentially banning Christmas. When Charles II returned to power in 1660, one of his first acts was to repeal anti-Christmas legislation, helping foster his image as the “Merry Monarch.” Our own wassail beverage is an appropriate drink for all ages! “Gloucester Wassail” Traditional English Carol THE MORRIS DANCERS Stick and scarf, clatter and whirl, this centuries-old English folk dance originates from nearly the same era as the Boar’s Head itself. Its intricate movement and proper handling of sticks remain popular to this day. “The Merry Companion” Traditional Dance Tune THE ANNUNCIATION – Angel Gabriel and Mary Merry music is now at rest, for all our revels have led to this, the holy moment of the coming of the Lord. “In the sixth month, the angel GABRIEL was sent by GOD to a town in GALILEE called NAZARETH...” “Ave Maria” The Gospel of Luke Music by John Abdenour THE NATIVITY– Innkeeper’s Wife, Mary, Joseph, Infant Jesus The journey to Bethlehem ends at a lowly stable, for there was not a room at the inn. The Lord of Light was born in down of hay, in a manger of rough wood, a soul divine in child’s form. “Star Child” Words and Music by John Abdenour THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANGELS TO THE SHEPHERDS From that stable lowly, His light sweeps over the fields on angel wings in a second startling message, this time to shepherds guarding their flocks through the darkest hours of the year. “In the Bleak Midwinter” Words by Christina Rossetti Arranged by John Abdenour THE EPIPHANY KINGS FROM THE EAST – Kings, Torch Bearers, Pages Third in the trinity of heavenly signs was the brilliance of a star, observed not by all, but by the wise and good, three souls forsaking all to seek the wonder of a holy infant’s birth. “Three Kings of Orient” John Henry Hopkins, Jr. Refrain O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! THE STABLE MANIFESTS THE LIGHT Our procession to the manger is the movement of all mankind to reverence and wisdom. “What has come into being with Him is life, and the life is the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.” “What Child is This” Old English Air “Once in Royal David’s City” Cecil Francis Alexander EPILOGUE Sharing the Light with the World May Almighty God, who led the wise men by the shining of a star, lead us also in our early pilgrimages, so that we too may be a light to the world. : Light medieval fare will be served in the Parish Hall following the two evening performances. All are invited. CAST Scholar: Matthew Boveroux The Light Bearer: Ashton Deutsch Priest: Curtis Farr Trumpeters: Emmeline Swenson, Mikey Clear, Anderson Deutsch, Caitlin Gable Beefeaters: Jim Turner, Eric Andren, Phil Sidebottom, Tom Mindrum, Matt Wiant, Chip Campbell Boar’s Head Bearers: Greg Sullivan, Aaron Deutsch, Jen Gable Lord and Lady of the Manor: Amy and Adam Deutsch Master of the Revels: Jay Jost Sword Dancers: Miranda Sullivan, Soloist (Spellbinder) Fiona Andren, Anderson Deutsch, Aidan Deutsch, Malinda Johnson, Natalie Fredericks-Saintelus, De’ana Derosier Peacock Pie Bearer: Neal Minto Mince Pie Bearer: Hope Ogletree Plum Pudding Bearer: Lucy Buggy Baker (Cook): Connie Gomes Mustard Pot Bearers: Margaret Bassett, Donatella Nichols Sword Bearer: Gretchen Goethner Jesters: Maya Knutsen, Kaylee Martin Banner Bearers: Annette Grau, Pam Morey, Kinsey Lamb, Melissa Clear, Ruth Anne Taylor, Matt Boveroux Lords and Ladies: Rick and Christine Brown, Patricia and Michael Boyd, Frannie Baldwin, Bruce Kueffner Morris Dancers: John Grau, David Elsy, Rick Hutchinson, Jett McAlister, Joe Ferral, Kathy O’Shea, Annette Grau Woodfolk: Patti Falk, Patti Strasburger, Judi Sinn, Linda Shackleton, Jim Stirling, Matt Wiant, Phil Sidebottom, Jim Turner Sprites: Coco Myers, Lucas Shackleton, Matthew Clear, Henry Swenson, Katherine Taylor, Arthur Sidebottom, Emmeline Gable Wassail Ladies: Julia Turner, Jennifer Cowenhoven, Katie Magee, Edrice Viechweg, Lorie Boveroux, Marilyn McQuade (Wassail Dancer) Saint Nicholas: Jon Hylan King Wenceslas: Dylan Cranston Wenceslas’ Pages: Will Boveroux, Evan Marshall Mary: Rachel Myers Joseph: Marcus Halley Innkeeper’s Wife: Linda Shaffer Shepherds: Will Boveroux, Owen Swenson, Riley Martin, Evan Marshall, John Ogletree Archangel Gabriel: Bailey Curran Angels: Madison Chueka, Josie Minto, Livy Burdo, Madison Clear Caspar: Eric Andren Caspar’s Page: Caitlin Gable Melchior: Gavin Sidebottom Melchior’s Page: Lillian Swenson Melchior’s Torch Bearer: Barbara Capasso Balthazar: Greg Sullivan Balthazar’s Page: Grace Taylor Balthazar’s Torch Bearer: Aidan Deutsch PRODUCTION TEAM Artistic Director: Alice Mindrum Music Director: John Abdenour Principal Assistant Director: Wendy Cudmore Assistant Director: Mary Sullivan Tech Director: John Ogletree Script Adaptation: Tony Abbott Stage Managers: Debbie Garavel, Chris Hubbard, Nancy Killian Production Assistant: Linda Shackleton Set Construction and Decoration: John Ogletree, Donna Elsy, David Elsy, Sarah Buggy Choreography: David Elsy (Morris Dancers), Wendy Cudmore, Alice Mindrum Communications: Jennifer Cowenhoven, Caitlin Hagedus, Cathy Comstock, Nancy Killian Costume Director: Pam Pellegrini Costume Crew: Lucy Buggy, Chris Cook, Lorraine Westervelt, Julia Turner, Julianne Stirling, Warren Fleming, Dolores Abbott, Peggy Mayo Reception: Barbara Sidebottom, Linda Shaffer, Donna Elsy Lighting: Steve Bassett Assistant Lighting: Sally Small Makeup: Annie Smith, Vani Mascia Makeup Crew: Charlotte Cowenhoven, Jennifer Cowenhoven Program and Posters: Caitlin Hagedus,
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