An evocative retelling of the first Christmas, SOMETHING GLOWS, SOMETHING GROWS offers an age-old narrative infused with an unmistakable immediacy and relevance for the time in which we are living. 

Half-spoken and half-sung, Lee Saville-Iksic’s newest concert-length work weaves captivating storytelling, compelling commentary, and raw autobiographical snapshots together with musical arrangements ranging in style from blues and folk to neo-classical and ambient. 

Rich with centuries-old carols and original songs – and asking us to plumb our dreams for what acts of creation we are called to undergo during seasons of darkness – SOMETHING GLOWS, SOMETHING GROWS has a bit of something for everyone; activist, scholar, mystic, and skeptic alike.

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DURATION: approximately 90 minutes

PERFORMERS: Lee Saville-Iksic, voice and piano; Ryan McMasters, guitar and bass

Hover over images to read performer bios.

Lee Saville-Iksic is a Pittsburgh-based composer, pianist, songwriter, poet, and essayist. Drawing inspiration from the profound dynamics at play within human relationships, the complexities of the human psyche, and a poetic understanding of nature and the cosmos, his work depicts “little domestic miracles” – points of merger between the mundane and the sacred. In creating such work, he hopes to resonate with a universally human urge to engage in meaningful work, a desire to participate in the ongoing creation of a world in which individuals, families, and communities live with a deep sense of abundance, resilience, and joy.

Lee lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife, Rose, and two sons, Luka and Emerson. There performs regularly with the First Unitarian Universalist Community Singers, offers astrological consultations to fellow seekers, and frequents the local off-leash nature park with his family’s Aussie-doodle, Sophie.

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Ryan McMasters is a music maker in Pittsburgh whose work focuses on accessibility for audiences and performers. As a composer known for his “sparkling, textural organicism” (I Care If You Listen),, Ryan has been in residency or collaborated with many Pittsburgh institutions, including the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and the Pittsburgh Glass Center.

A frequent collaborator for theater and dance, Ryan’s work has recently supported productions by Quantum Theatre, the Verdon-Fosse Legacy, BC/EFA, and Kamraton. In addition to composition and sound design, Ryan is also an active performer and session musician, most notably as a member of Bombici, an electro-acoustic Balkan band. He also enjoys learning about life, music, and the wonders of the world from his daughter, Lizzy.

• Age-appropriateness

  This show is written for audiences 18 years of age and up. While the show could easily be rated PG (or of even G), the format, pacing, and thematic content will be most engaging for audience members who are 18+.

  Want to Know Specifics? There is one occurrence of a medical term used to refer to a male private body part, and there is one mild and brief reference to violence directed toward children.

• Accessibility

  Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh venue for this performance is not wheelchair accessible.

  Accessing this venue requires climbing steps. Restrooms are located in the basement of the building.