Hotel Bethlehem, a Christmas satire, by Drew McCreadie December 14, 2011

This holiday season it’s time to consider that the history we know may not be the real story. In Ruby Slippers Theatre’s Hotel Bethlehem, we playfully invite the audience to consider another interpretation of what happened that fateful night. Farce meets satire meets holiday fare in this world premiere.
This raucous new play, produced in association with The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, features eleven of Vancouver's finest performers. Penned by the incorrigible Drew McCreadie, who wrote Ruby Slippers Theatre's landmark production of The Cat Who Ate Her Husband, and directed by multi-award winning director Diane Brown, this production takes a new look at the traditional Christmas story. Have you ever wondered why The Inn was full? Who would turn away a VERY pregnant woman? What kind of characters and shenanigans were they up to that this could happen? Surprisingly, no one has asked these questions until now. Award winning playwright Drew McCreadie takes an inside look at what was going on at The Inn that infamous silent night.
From the shepherds who first saw the star, Sam (Scott Bellis) and Ezekial (Alex Diakun), to the Inns owner, Joshua (John Murphy), confusion abounds when the three Kings - Melchior (Dustin Freeland), Caspar (Stephen Beaver) and Balthazar (Noah Rosenbaum) - try to hide their true selves from the Roman soldiers Lewdious (Byron Noble) and Hepion (Sean McQuillan). Adding to the confusion are the blind census-taker Addius Miopicus (Bernard Cuffling) and the Inn’s staff, Mary (Jennifer Mawhinney), not to be confused with THE Mary who is in the stables waiting for Joseph (Kris Przednowek) to give her birthing guidance.
Hotel Bethlehem is directed by Ruby Slippers Theatre’s Artistic Director Diane Brown with set design by David Roberts, sound design by Jordan Watkins, lighting design by Jonathan Ryder and costume design by Drew Facey. Stage Manager Allison Spearin is joined by Apprentice Stage Manager Stephanie Elgersma.

December 14 to 17 at 8pm
December 17 at 2pm
December 18 at 2pm
The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby, BC
Tickets $15/27/32 at 605-205-3000 or www.shadboltcentre.com