Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
Long ago, near a little town in Calabria, Italy lived an old witch called Strega Nona “Grandma Witch”. She knew magic and loved to use it to help people. Big Anthony, Strega Nona’s helper, didn’t like to work, never paid attention and almost always got into trouble. Every Christmas Eve, Strega Nona made a big feast for all the people of Calabria with no magic at all because she says, “No magic at Christmastime. Christmas has a magic all its own.” After Big Anthony nearly ruined Christmas by another one of his goofs, it seemed like nothing but a miracle could save Strega Nona’s feast. But Christmas is a time for miracles…and wonderful surprises too.
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Thomas W. Olson, playwright
Alan Shorter, composer
Originally produced in CTC’s 87-88 season
Run Time: 90 minutes
“Tomie dePaola’s slim story of a benevolent witch and her vow to eschew magic for the holidays is enlarged, embellished and given a faithful yet new dimension on the stage.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
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