Holiday Play: The Holly and the Ivy

Holiday Play: The Holly and the Ivy
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10
Doors & Varsity Bar at 6
Tickets: $12 or $8 for students with ID
The Varsity is proud to offer a live, theatrical production for the holidays. “The Holly and the Ivy” will be
presented at the downtown venue Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-10.
“The Holly and the Ivy” is being directed by Kevin Purcell. A 1974 graduate of SIU. Kevin, who resides in
Cobden, was co-founder of Seattle Public Theater and Over the Moon Productions in Springfield, Illinois.
He has directed numerous plays for The Stage Company and Varsity Productions. This is Kevin’s fourth
production of “The Holly and the Ivy.”
Actors featured in the play are Leigh Steiner, Jim Busch, Nan Lewis, Tricia Burns, Trevor Thompson, Jim
Phillips, Andy Farmer and Sarah Dubach.
Even though the play is a 1950 creation by the British writer Wynyard Browne, its message is as relevant
today as it was when it premiered in Cardiff, Wales.
The play is set in England in 1947, after World War II, a time when families were desperate to find ways
to stay connected to or reconnect with each other. Pastor Gregory’s wife passed away the year before,
and his daughter Jenny has stepped into the role of caretaker for her father. With her siblings, aunts
and cousin coming home for the holidays, Jenny is determined that this Christmas will be just as special
as any other. With themes of integrity, redemption and forgiveness, as well as balancing personal
identity with family obligations, this play resonates today as much as it did when it was first written.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. The
Varsity Bar and Concessions will open at 6.
Tickets are $12 for adults or $8 for students with ID. They are available in advance at Eventbrite at
www.thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com. Tickets are not available in advance at the venue but will be
available on the night of the show when doors open at 6.
The Varsity is downtown Carbondale at 418 S. Illinois Ave. Go to www.thevarsitycenter.org or
www.facebook.com/varsitycenter to keep up with all that is happening at the venue.