Washington Revels relocate to Silver Spring

The Washington Revels, a local acting group that has staged annual performances for more than 25 years, recently moved their administrative and practice center from N.W. Washington, D.C. to Dale Drive in Silver Spring.

Washington Revels Executive Director Greg Lewis said the reason for the move stemmed from a desire to widen the Revels's impact on the community. "The reason we have moved to this multipurpose facility is to allow the Washington Revels to expand educational programming, staged celebrations and community involvement for Montgomery County and the entire Washington area," Lewis said.

The building on Dale Drive was previously a 3,059 square foot commercial building, home to various shops ranging from a pharmacy to a consignment store. The renovated facility was expanded to an estimated 6,400 square feet and features a new second story.

The Washington Revels held their first Community Sing program in Dale Drive Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring on Oct. 11 to celebrate its relocation to Dale Drive. The family event was the Revels's formal introduction to the Silver Spring community.

Assisted by the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution's Discovery Theater, the Washington Revels plans to adapt three of their Christmas productions into programs that will be seen by more than 7,000 school children. Its annual outreach performance is a special financial aid program that provides assistance to about 1,200 students, seniors and individuals who do not have the opportunity to view the Christmas Revels.

According to the Revels's web site, the theater group is currently preparing for the 27th annual Christmas Revels, an Italian-themed cultural and musical performance that will celebrate the art and inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci, the quintessential Renaissance man, as well as Italian Christmas traditions and a Roman Saturnalia. The Christmas Revels will be an eight-day celebration starting on Saturday, Dec. 5 and ending Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Lisner Auditorium, a George Washington University building located on the corner of 21st and H Streets N.W. in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the Washington Revels, contact its hotline at 301-587-3835 or visit their web site.