Modern Musical Fairytale Brings Laughs, Cheer To Germantown

From BlackRock: Musical theater is back on stage at Germantown’s BlackRock Center for the Arts as Free Range Humans, a Maryland-based professional theater company and a member of BlackRock’s Creative Consortium, presents STRIKING 12, a witty, intelligent holiday musical in a seven-performance run from December 13-22.

A modern musical fairy tale that is sure to delight both lovers and haters of the holidays alike, STRIKING 12 is the story of a grumpy, overworked New Yorker who resolves to spend New Year’s Eve alone in his apartment when an unexpected visitor brings some much-needed cheer. The evening springs to life through actor/musicians playing an eclectic score that combines pop, rock, jazz, showtunes, and more. The story is inspired, in part, by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic, “The Little Match Girl.”

“We picked this show for its humor and heart,” said Elizabeth Lucas, Free Range Humans’ Producing Artistic Director. “It’s by a living writer who captures the quirks and challenges of our modern era with wit, insight and brilliant music.” Free Range Humans is a fresh-faced locally based production company that adheres to the mission of bringing quality entertainment to the area with an immersive and story-driven experience ranging from site-specific theatre to augmented reality. The production of STRIKING 12 is led by Helen Hayes Award winning actor Alan Naylor and features an ensemble of multi-talented performers who act, sing, and play musical instruments throughout the show. The company includes regional favorites Robin Weiner (Annapolis Shakespeare), recording artist Natalie Spehar, Michael Reid (NextStop), and Paige Austin Rammelkamp (Monumental, Red Branch), as well as recent American University graduate Lauren Farnell and percussionist Kevin Uleck.

“The most important ingredient for a successful musical is a first-rate score, and this one is terrific…the lyrics are alive with wit and humor, and they don’t shy away from surging emotion.” – Charles Isherwood, New York Times.

Image via FreeRange Humans