Truce: A Christmas Wish from the Great War

We’ve added a Wednesday performance! Join us at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18.

Why you should see Truce: A Christmas Wish from the Great War

Because this powerful play was such a big hit in 2014 that we’ve brought it back for a 10th-anniversary production, with new artists and an updated script.
Because it’s inspired by one of the most uplifting acts of war & peace drama in history.
Because it features gorgeous new arrangements by City Lights resident composer George Psarras of popular World War I songs and traditional Christmas carols.
Because after seeing Truce on opening night in 2014, Vietnam veteran Richard Hagan wrote: “If you have a chance to see this play, please do; you won’t go wrong. You will come away feeling hopeful about the human spirit and how it shines through such carnage.”

Synopsis

In 2014, City Lights marked the 100-year anniversary of the World War I “Christmas Truce” with a world premiere that drew crowds and raves. Now Truce: A Christmas Wish from the Great War is back with a mix of returning and new artists. Set in the trenches of France, this story follows soldiers on both sides who embraced a spontaneous ceasefire to celebrate Christmas in 1914. Through dialogue, music and documents from the era, the play exemplifies the spirit of the holiday season.

Resources

High-res show photos by Christian Pizzirani
Press release
Show program
Highlights dramaturgy guide

Cast

Tommy Williams: Eddie Zhang
Georg Krieger: Myles Kenyon Rowland
Archie Bates: Christian Vaughn-Munck
Geoffrey Court: Nishanth Swarna
Helmut Jaeger: Vaughn Mayer
Viktor Stahl: Zachary Vaughn-Munck
Kurt Vogel: Patrick Rivera
Doctor, Mr. Williams, Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien: Ray Renati
Herr Krieger, Oberst Koessler: Roberta Vinkhuyzen
Orderly, Gunnar Krieger, Wounded Solider, Oberleutnant Voss: Steve Roma
Orderly, Deserter, Wounded Soldier, Aide-de-camp: Adriana Hokk
Anna Friedmann: Sarah Benjamin
Maggie Williams: Lauren Berling
Clara Krieger, English daughter (Princess Mary): Jaime Melendez
Frau Krieger, English Mother 2, Viktor’s Mother: Regina Kohl
Mrs. Williams, Kurt’s Mother: Karen DeHart
English Mother 1, Geoffrey’s Mother: Mary Melnick

Details and special events

Truce previews November 29 and 30, and runs through December 22. (No show on Thanksgiving.) The play runs about two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission, and we would rate this production PG-13 for themes of war and death. Shows are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. And we’ve added a Wednesday performance! Join us at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets are $31-$70 now with no fees. For the best savings over single tickets, buy a season pass — it’s not too late for our flexible options.

Don’t be scared off by the seats labeled “Slightly obstructed.” They have a narrow wooden post partially in view from the seat. Most folks say the experience in our intimate theater is just fine!

Bring a group of 10 or more and get 25% off the face value of each ticket. The discount is automatically applied with 10 or more tickets in the cart. (Contact us if group members are paying separately.) If you are an employee of a fellow theater company seeking industry comps, please email us at least 48 hours in advance. Subject to availability.

Covid protocols:
If you are feeling unwell, please stay home, and don’t worry about your tickets. We’ll be happy to exchange them for another performance, free of charge. Masks are recommended indoors, except for Sunday, Dec. 8, when they are required indoors. Learn more about our Covid-19 protocols.

Special events:
Friday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m.: Pay What You Can Preview performance. Suggested donation is $20, but any amount is welcome. Call the box office at 408-295-4200 to name your own price.
Friday, Nov. 29, 8 p.m.: Preview Night.
Saturday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m.: Opening Night with a special post-show performance by singers from the Santa Clara Chorale. And our friends from the Chorale will also give a brief pre-show talk.
Sunday, December 8, 2 p.m.: Mask-required performance.
Wednesday, December 11, 7 p.m.: Join director Angie Higgins and members of the cast for a free Zoom discussion about the play. Sign up by “buying” a free ticket, and we’ll send you the Zoom link.
Saturday, December 14, 1 p.m.: Club 250 Day! Before the matinee performance there will be a specifical reception for Club 250 members. Learn more about the club and join here.
Sunday, December 15, 2 p.m.: In-person talkback with Angie and the cast after the 2 p.m. matinee.
Thursday, December 19, 8 p.m.: Our friends from History San Jose will give a brief pre-show talk about all the cool stuff going on at History Park. Meet President Bill Schroh after the show!

Nonprofit partner:
We’re honored to support the Santa Clara Chorale during this production. Celebrating over sixty years of illustrating the broad spectrum of choral music through compelling performances for the South Bay community, the Chorale programs a wide array of music from the choral canon each season—from the masterworks of Beethoven, Mozart and Britten to brand new commissions like the world premiere of Scott Gendel’s multi-movement work Barbara Allen in 2017.

In addition, we’re supporting History San José. Established in 1949, History San José’s mission is to preserve and enrich the cultural heritage of San José and the Santa Clara Valley through research, collections, partnerships, educational programs and events. We are proud to be an organization that provides safe spaces and opportunities for all cultural communities to gather, remember, celebrate, and share their stories.

Parking and other info

Should you require ADA parking, email us or add a note to your order to reserve a spot in front of the glass doors. We will accommodate as many as possible. For everyone else, there’s free parking a short walk away. Most ParkSJ garages offer 90 minutes of free parking, and the parking website ParkSJ.org is a great resource providing real-time parking availability, maps and more.

The closest city lot is the First Street and I-280 Lot, under the freeway. Parking there is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays. 

The theater is wheelchair-accessible; book the ADA & Companion seats when buying tickets.

Due to the intimate size of our theater, we unfortunately are not able to seat late patrons. Thank you for your understanding.