In the middle of the holiday rush it is good to slow down and enjoy a night at the theater. Now playing until Sunday December 24 at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Russell Hill Rogers Theater is ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ George Green and Bill Gundry co-direct with musical direction by Nicholas Ponting. It stars Nick Szoeke, Nicholas Ponting, David Nanny, Aaron Ely, Robert Nauman, Eric Buchaus, Kevin Collins, Robby Vance, Kyle Krambeck, Brendan Brady, Travis Trevino and John Towry. This weekend there will be a special Holiday Double Feature on Friday and Saturday. ‘All is Calm’ will start at 7p.m. and will be followed by A Marcsmen Christmas at 8:30p.m. There is an additional cost for A Marcsmen Christmas, but they can both be purchased as a package. Other showtimes for ‘All is Calm’ are Sunday at 2p.m. and Friday December 22 and Saturday December 23 at 7:30p.m. and Sunday December 24 at 2p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258.

‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ is set in 1914, at the Western Front, where out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. The show features a talented cast of all-male singers and a mixture of songs, all sung acapella. These range from war tunes like “Keep the Home Fires Burning” to seasonal carols in several languages such as “O Tannenbaum” in German and “O Holy Night” in French. When a German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht” it brings about a night of camaraderie, music and peace. Approximately 90 minutes long with no intermission, it is composed of five parts, not including the Prologue and the Epilogue. In between the songs, both sides recount what happened that night and what daily life in the trenches was like. These narratives are taken from real letters from soldiers who were there.

The show itself is not that long but it is powerful and calming. Despite the dark overtones, it is a reminder of the kindness that resides in humanity regardless of race or creed. The staging and costumes are simple, but they set the mood perfectly. The voices are remarkable and the singers work together flawlessly to bring this remarkable true story to life. Highlights include the somber “I Want to Go Home” and “Stille Nacht.” It is told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. This acapella musical highlights the beauty and power of the human spirit during the darkest of days. Sure to be a conversation starter, it is a must see for the holiday season and appeals to all ages.