Port Townsend - Join Key City Public Theatre as their homegrown holiday tradition, the award-winning holiday musical, Spirit of the Yule, opens for its third season! With music and lyrics by acclaimed local composer, Linda Dowdell, and directed and co-written by KCPT's Artistic Director, Denise Winter, Spirit of the Yule is a new take on Dickens' A Christmas Carol, set in historic Port Townsend, when the lumber boomtown was eagerly awaiting the railroad connection that would make it the preeminent port city in the Pacific Northwest. This musical is steeped in the history and cultural legacy that defined Port Townsend as "the city of dreams." But more than rooted in this town, Spirit of the Yule takes inspiration from Dickens to recast an old tale in the familiar trappings of the American West. Expansion and speculation, boom and bust loom large in this frontier tale.

Dowdell and Winter delved deep into the archives of the Jefferson County Historic Society to find the details in the forty year span of the city's history when the Northern Pacific Railroad was due to connect Port Townsend to Tacoma, giving the city the enviable position of the Puget Sound port city closest to the open ocean. While the railroad never made it to town, the remnants of that time remain recognizable in the names etched on famous landmarks, the Rothschild House, Chetzemoka Park, and the Delmonico Hotel, whose sign still hangs at 832 Water St. The people who built and inspired those places make their presence felt in the play, in some cases, quite forcefully.

This year’s iteration of the musical will feature both new and familiar faces. Vickie Daignault stars as Henrietta Maynard, the proprietor of the Delmonico Hotel, an iconoclastic, hard nosed, twice divorced, businesswoman who loves shooting, drinking, and profit. Greg Stone, last seen in KCPT’s smash 2017 musical, Murder Ballad, is Jacob Marley, Ms. Maynard's recently departed business partner. Patricia Willestoft, Consuelo Aduviso, and Tomoki Sage, return as ghosts that lead Ms. Maynard in an enlightening search through time and space. KCPT musical veteran, Maggie Jo Bulkley is the hopeful and romantic Young Henrietta. Nate Stosius and Brendan Chambers join their fellow Every Christmas Story Ever Told cast member Sage as Bob Cratchit and Nephew Fred, respectively. Joining them is Every Christmas Story’s director, Bry Kifolo, as Pearl. Zoe Cook returns as Maddie Mae, Cratchit’s ailing daughter.

Spirit of the Yule is a story that will evoke the generous spirit of the holidays in anyone who attends, and gives a special thrill to the patrons who will see the history of the Olympic peninsula spring to life, and burst into song.

Family Shows

Discounted family show prices are ONLY AVAILABLE in person or by calling:
(360) 385-5278

• Wednesday, December 12th, (7:00pm)

Spirit of the Yule, is an all-ages show, and while children are invited to any of the performances, families with younger children are encouraged to attend one of our family shows, which feature:

~ Special pricing ~
~ Treats for the kids ~
~ A chance to take their pictures on the stage! ~

On family show nights, special ticket prices are as follows:

• $3 for small child lap seating
• $8 for ages 12 and under
• $12 for parents & children over the age of 13

Pay What You Wish at the door performances:

• Thursday, December 6th (7:00pm)
• Sunday, December 16th (1:00pm)

PWYW performances provide access to all by allowing first come first served, pay what you wish pricing. Subject to seat availability.