New Award-Winning World War I Play At Northern Kentucky University On 100th Anniversary

CINCINNATI - Oct. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Jim Stump, Producing Artistic Director of New Edgecliff Theatre (NET), announced that NET with Actors & Playwrights Collaborative will proudly present the world premiere of Soldier's Christmas, an award-winning play about the World War I Christmas Truce of 1914. Soldier's Christmas will be presented in six performances December 12-21, 2014 at Corbett Theatre, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099.

Inspired by The Christmas Truce of 1914, Soldier's Christmas was written by award-winning playwright Philip Paradis of Fort Thomas. Soldier's Christmas is a winner of the KTA's Roots of the Bluegrass New play Contest. Set in Belgium in late December 1914, Soldier's Christmas presents the story of how British and German soldiers met in the middle of No-man's-land, negotiated a truce, and celebrated Christmas together during a temporary ceasefire.

The six performances will be December 12, 13, 14 and 19, 20, 21. Admission will be $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $18 for students. To purchase or reserve tickets, call 1-888-428-7311 or visit www.CincyTicket.com/soldiers .

Producer Jim Stump announced that Robert Allen will direct the premiere.  Allen is an award-winning actor and director and has directed numerous plays, stage readings, radio recreations, industrial films, and commercials. Mr. Allen teaches stage appearance at Northern Kentucky University and teaches acting in the Preparatory Department at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the start of World War I, and December will mark the anniversary of the famous Christmas Truce of 1914.  Mr. Allen said, "Soldier's Christmas presents a story of universal significance. It's a timely parable of war and peace dramatizing the choices we all face. A play with song, Soldier's Christmas is an original dramatization inspired by the historical Christmas Truce of 1914. The play dramatizes the Great War's impact on front-line soldiers and their families on the home-front. Soldier's Christmas has plenty of heart, humor, and gravitas. It's a wonderful alternative holiday play for modern audiences--a new Christmas classic."

Mr. Stump said "The premiere of Soldier's Christmas in December, on the 100th anniversary of The 1914 Christmas Truce, is most appropriate." Added Stump, "We're delighted to be a part of bringing this important new work to our region's stage as part of Cincinnati Remembers World War I."

Cincinnati Remembers World War I is a year-long community arts celebration of the Great War's centenary and sponsored by Cincinnati Opera. Cincinnati Remembers WWI is part of the Imperial War Museum’s (U.K.) global series of events honoring the centenary of the First World War. For more information about Cincinnati Remembers World War I, please visit www.cincinnatiopera.org/wwi

Mr.Paradis is an award-winning playwright and resident of Fort Thomas, KY and former professor at Northern Kentucky University. His play Sunny Side won the Kentucky New Play Series and was staged at the Kentucky State Fair as part of the 2014 Kentucky New Play Festival. He received an Audience Choice Award for his writing from Point Loma Actors Studio in San Diego. The premiere of his play Footprints of the Polar Bear won New Edgecliff Theatre's Cincinnati Director's Competition.

To purchase tickets in advance for Soldier's Christmas visit http://www.cincyticket.com  or call 1-888-428-7211.  For more information about Soldier's Christmas, contact Carrie-Ellen Zappa at 513-256-8937.