Co-written with Tony Award-winning author Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and performed by pop-rock band GrooveLily, Striking 12 "is a witty journey through the ups and downs of the holiday season," according to DC-based Arena. Musicians turned actors Valerie Vigoda (electric violinist and DC-area native), Brendan Milburn (pianist) and Gene Lewin (drummer) serve as both accompaniment and performers for the pop concert-musical that shatters the boundaries of theatre and concert to create a hybrid storytelling experience inspired by Hans Christians Andersen's "The Little Match Girl." Striking 12 shifts from a secular 21st century story that follows a "Grumpy Guy" (who makes all attempts to avoid the hectic, loveless world on New Year's Eve) to Andersen's story of poverty, love and hope in the 19th century.

The show has been seen around the country in the original version featuring GrooveLily, but has also been adapted as a theatrical piece that could be performed by an acting company. The three-person version is heard on a concert cast recording on the PS Classics label.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.arenastage.org, at the Arena Stage sales office at 1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA, or by phone at (202) 488-3300.

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Vigoda and Milburn's musical Long Story Short gets a new, revised production by San Diego Repertory Theatre this fall.