The poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” shaped the modern image of Santa Claus, and you can see a live reenactment of the classic story on stage this month! Bring the whole family out to see this festive musical.
When and Where
The performance will be held at the Thomasville Center for the Arts on Saturday, December 14. The matinee starts at 11 a.m. Admission for this play is free. The center is located at 600 E Washington Street, Thomasville, Georgia 31792.
A Merry Musical
The one-hour play tells the story of writer Clement Clarke Moore as he struggles to compose his next Christmas poem. Over the course of a magical Christmas Eve, Moore is visited by spritely sugarplum fairies as well as the jolly old elf himself. The Moore family rounds out the cast, with Eliza Moore and their two children lending their voices for several songs. The charismatic Diana Mouse leads a team of Santa’s helpers with all the flair and style of The Supremes. With the delightful entourage of guests and spirited musical numbers, it’s clear to see how Moore would feel inspired to write his classic “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
A Visit from St. Nicholas
The poem at the heart of this play is one of the most recognizable rhymes in American literature. “A Visit form St. Nicholas” was first published in 1823, and set many of the standards for how Santa Claus is portrayed in fiction. Historians believe that Moore’s depiction of Santa drew from both the famed Saint Nicholas as well as a Dutch handyman in his own neighborhood. Prior to the publication, ideas about when Santa visited homes and how he arrived varied across the country, but Moore’s tale of a Christmas Eve jaunt and a bag full of presents easily found a place within young American imaginations.
Credit Where it’s Due
When the poem was first printed, Moore chose to publish his work anonymously. Already regarded as a disciplined professor of literature, he initially didn’t want his name attached to the uncharacteristically cheerful rhyme. It was not until 1837 that he allowed himself to take credit for the poem. The modern play was adapted and written by Bruce Craig Miller.
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