Press Packet

Press Packet
Table of Contents

1) News Release
2) Fact Sheet
3) Backgrounder
4) Photo Opportunity
5) Promotional Poster
6) Corporate Profile
7) Production Photos




Barter Theatre
Public Relations Department
276-628-3991


News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephen P. Carpenter
December 6, 2013 Barter Theatre Public Relations
276-628-5545
carpenters@goldmail.etsu.edu

Christmas favorite returns to Barter

One of the most attended plays in Barter Theatre history, A Christmas Story, has
returned to the Barters main stage this holiday season due to popular demand.
The show, which began its 2013 run on Nov. 22, is back thanks to the many requests
from attendees of last years shows, as well as by those who were unable to attend last year due
to a string of sell-out performances.
Patrons began calling in January requesting tickets for the show. That demand led us to
bring back A Christmas Story, since our patrons are so important to us, said Lori Hester, the
director of patron services.
In 2012, A Christmas Story debuted at the Barter to great critical reviews and set an
attendance record as the most attended Christmas play in the theatres 80-year history. It was
also the third most attended show of all-time at Barter Theatre, behind only Beauty and the
Beast and The Wizard of Oz.
The play follows the same comedic story that is featured in the classic Christmas film of
the same name, which has become a fixture on television during the holiday season.
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Both stories are based on a portion of the memoirs of writer Jean Shepherd, who wrote of
anecdotal recollections of his late-1930s childhood in his book In God We Trust, All Others Pay
Cash.
The story has connected with audiences and phrases such as youll shoot your eye out
have become part of the pop culture lexicon.
College student Damon Collins is a big fan of the film and is excited the show is coming
back, since he missed it last year. I want to go see it with my son so we can have a fun family
experience, Collins said.
The Barter Theatre advises people to purchase tickets early in order to get the best seats
possible. The show sold out quickly last year and demand for tickets is high.
The theatres decision to run A Christmas Story means the show that was originally
scheduled to run on the main stage during the holidays, A Sanders Family Christmas, has been
removed from the schedule.
According to Barter Theatres website, Replacing one show with another is a major
change for Barter Theatre. Ultimately, the demand for the return of A Christmas Story led the
theatre to break from tradition.
A Christmas Story runs through Dec. 29 and tickets can be purchased at the box office
by phone or online at the theatres website www.bartertheatre.com.
Barter Theatre is located in Abingdon, Va. and celebrated its 80-year anniversary in
2013. The theatre operates year-round and welcomes more than 160,000 visitors each year.
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Barter Theatre
Public Relations Department
276-628-3991

Fact Sheet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephen Carpenter
December 6, 2013 Barter Theatre Public Relations
276-628-5545
carpenters@goldmail.etsu.edu


A Christmas Story

What: A Christmas Story. The hit play based on the classic Christmas film. This is the
hilarious but heartfelt story of young Ralphie, a boy who just wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for
Christmas. Join Ralphie as he tries to navigate the holidays with his crazy family, teachers and
peers without shooting his eye out.

Who: Richard Rose, Director; Starring Justin Tyler Lewis

Where: Barter Theatre, 127 W. Main St. Abingdon, Va.

When: Now Dec. 29

Why: The Christmas favorite returns to the Barter Theatre. One of the best-selling plays in the
theatres 80-year history, A Christmas Story, is back by popular demand. The popular show is
quickly selling out and tickets are available now at the Barter Theatre box office or online at
www.bartertheatre.com.




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Barter Theatre
Public Relations Department
276-628-3991

Backgrounder
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephen Carpenter
December 6, 2013 Barter Theatre Public Relations
276-628-5545
carpenters@goldmail.etsu.edu



A Christmas Story

The hit play A Christmas Story has returned to Barter Theatre after a wildly successful run last
year. The play tells the story of Ralphie and his quest to get a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas,
despite the calls from adults that say Youll shoot your eye out! The play is just the newest
incarnation of the story, which began as a series of anecdotes from author and storyteller, Jean
Shepherd.

In 1966, Jean Shepherd published a series of short stories made up of anecdotes that were loosely
based on his childhood in a book called In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. The book
became popular, but it wasnt until 1983 that film producers decided that several short stories
Shepherd wrote about Christmastime while growing up would make a great movie. With that, A
Christmas Story was born.

In 1983, the film A Christmas Story was released in theaters. The film, directed by the late
Bob Clark, tells the story of Ralphies quest for his Red Ryder BB Gun in three acts. The film
was a minor hit when it came out, but the real following for the film came from annual airings on
television. The film became a staple for new generations as it played on cable television
throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Scenes involving tongues on flagpoles, a bunny suit, a scary
Santa and the leg lamp all became iconic in the minds of many kids and adults.

In 2000, Phil Grecian wrote a stage adaptation of the Christmas classic. In 2012, the show A
Christmas Story opened at the Barter Theatre for the first time. With Justin Tyler Lewis starring
as young Ralphie, the play earned great reviews and played to packed houses. So many shows
sold out that many people who wanted to see it were unable to get tickets during the shows run.
Many people continued to call after the show had ended in January. The Barter Theatre had
already scheduled A Sanders Family Christmas for their Christmas show at the time.

In June 2013, however, the Barter Theatre decided that they needed to bring back the hit play to
their main stage. A Sanders Family Christmas was replaced on their schedule by A Christmas
Story. On Nov. 22, 2013, the show returned and began delighting families once more. This
years show runs until Dec. 29.

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Barter Theatre
Public Relations Department
276-628-3991

Photo Opportunity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephen P. Carpenter
December 6, 2013 Barter Theatre Public Relations
276-628-5545
carpenters@goldmail.etsu.edu



Popular Christmas play returns to Barter Theatre

A Christmas Story, one of the most popular plays in Barter Theatre history, has
returned to the Barters main stage. In 2012, the show played to sellout crowds and became the
third most popular play in the theatres 80-year run. The play brings to life all the iconic scenes
from the classic film of the same name. Critics and audiences have raved about the play and
demand for the show is high.
Barter Theatre is running a full dress rehearsal on Monday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. The
media is invited to attend and photograph the cast as they ready for their next performance.
Individual cast members will also be available for photographs at that time. The media will also
be able to take action shots of the play from the stage.

What: Dress rehearsal for Barter Theatres A Christmas Story.

Who: The cast of the play, including stars Justin Tyler Lewis and Nicholas Piper.

When: 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9.

Where: Barter Theatre, located at 127 W. Main St. in Abingdon, Va.

Why: To have an opportunity to photograph the cast in costume and show a glimpse of the play
to the general public.

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Presents



Barter Theatre
Public Relations Department
276-628-3991


Corporate Profile
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stephen P. Carpenter
December 6, 2013 Barter Theatre Public Relations
276-628-5545
carpenters@goldmail.etsu.edu


Barter Theatre


The Barter Theatre Mission: The Barter Theatre is a theatre of character and distinction that
has thrived for 80 years. Our mission is to put on top-notch productions that continue to
showcase new talent. Our goal is to continue giving back with our community service and
educational programs, while furthering the performing arts in Southwest Virginia. We carry on a
long tradition of performance excellence and Barter Theatre seeks to continue to grow in both
size and success.

History: The Barter Theatre was established in 1933 in Abingdon, Va., during the Great
Depression. A young actor named Robert Porterfield returned home to his native Southwest
Virginia with an idea: allow local citizens to use produce from their farm and garden to pay
admission. With that simple idea, the Barter Theatre was born.

On June 10, 1933, the Barter Theatre opened its doors with the phrase: With vegetables you
cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh. The Barter Theatre was an immediate success, opening
to a full house on the first night. This was despite the fact that the players were sometimes
distracted by chickens in the audience, not to mention noise from the town jail, which was
located in the lower level of the building below the stage.

By the end of its first season, Barter had made $4.35 in cash and two barrels of jelly. However, it
also made the people of Abingdon very happy. Over the years many distinguished actors helped
hone their trade at the Barter Theatre. Actors such as Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest
Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Ned Beatty, Gary Collins, and Larry Linville all were players at
different points on the Barter Theatre stage.

Throughout this time the theatre changed and grew. The jail is long gone now, and the Barter
Theatre has expanded beyond the 506 seat Main Stage. In 1961, the Barter renovated the
building across the street into a new, smaller stage. Barter Stage II, as it has come to be known,
features 167 seats around a thrust stage. This gives Stage II a more intimate feel. The building
that houses Stage II has also expanded to house the Barter Caf, which offers a wonderful array
of food and beverage.
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Today, the Barter Theatre is an important fixture in Southwest Virginia and one of the more
highly regarded regional theatres in the country.

Performances: The Barter Theatre features a line-up of performances that rotate on a seasonal
basis on both our Main Stage and Stage II. Our plays are performed by many of
Barters regular troupe of actors, as well as visiting actors from around the world.

Today, the Barter Theatre runs shows nearly year round, from February to December. For
example, during the holiday season of 2013, the Main Stage will feature the return of one of its
most popular plays, A Christmas Story. During the same period, Stage II will feature the play
Another Night Before Christmas.

The Barter also offers something unique for younger audience members. The Barter Players are a
featured group of performers at the Barter Theatre who perform shows designed for children.
The Barter Players perform their shows at the Barter Theatre from April through December.
However, from February to April, the Players go on tour and perform at schools all over the
eastern United States. The Barter Players are just another part of what makes the Barter Theatre
so unique.

Dining: The patrons of Barter Theatre are also given a wonderful dining option at the Barter
Caf. The Barter Caf is a full restaurant and offers a wide array of dishes, as well as classic caf
beverages. The Barter Caf is adjacent to Stage II, located across the street from the Main Stage.

Giving Back to the Community: The Barter Theatre started as a way to give back to the
community, and that tradition continues today. At least one performance a year directly
celebrates the Barters heritage, by accepting donations for area food banks as the price of
admission.

Barter also contributes in many other ways. The Barter Theatre partners with many local and
national organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, the American Cancer Society and the
Muscular Dystrophy Association. The Barter Theatre offers a mentor program, as well as
workshops and classes for those who are wishing to learn the theatrical arts.

Staff: The theatre employs an array of staff, both on stage and off.
Actors: The Barter Theatre currently employs 16 actors in residence.
Production: There are currently 12 regular directors and designers on staff.
Administrative: The Barter Theatre also employs over 40 other regular staff
members. These employees work in areas such as marketing, finance,
administration, ticketing and projects.

Location: The Barter Theatre is located at 127 W. Main St. in Abingdon, Va.

Funding: Barter Theatre is partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and
Virginias Commission for the Arts. The remaining funding comes from sales and donations
from our patrons.
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Production Photos