About us

The New York Revels, Inc., is a non-profit performing arts company producing musical theatrical celebrations of the Winter Solstice and other cultural traditions.

New York City is one nine cities with Revels organizations. John Langstaff founded Revels, Inc., the national organization in 1974, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. New York Revels premiered in 1979, in St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University and received its independent, Internal Revenue Service non-profit 501(c)(3) status in 1991.

Each year New York Revels produces The Christmas Revels, A Celebration of the Winter Solstice, a fully costumed and staged performance highlighting the traditions of different cultures as they celebrate the shortest day of the year. Integral to each production are performing artists and tradition-bearers from the featured countries that bring to American audiences a better appreciation of their culture and history through the presentation of authentic, traditional songs, dances and stories.

A typical Revels cast consists of more than eighty professional actors, student performers, and talented adult amateurs. In addition, Revels audiences are invited to sing, dance, and engage with the cast throughout the performance allowing them to experience a different world.

Throughout the year, New York Revels produces smaller events in celebration of the seasons including sings and mini-performances at folk festivals, schools, and libraries.

Education is a significant aspect of our mission. New York Revels makes its engagements and its artists as accessible as possible to students. We have collaborated witha number of local New York public and private schools, offering group ticket discounts, and inviting children to audition for the children's chorus. We are expanding our outreach to schools to include school performances coupled with curricula for teachers to enable them to integrate traditional music into their broader curriculum. Contact the New York Revels office to explore possiblilities for your school.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.