Friday, December 28, 2007

Last weekend to catch these holiday-oriented shows (Dec. 28-31)

By Shawn Parikh

Theater companies are ending the year by closing their holiday shows, and some are even holding a New Year's Eve celebration to accompany it:

The Last Night of Ballyhoo

• The Last Night of Ballyhoo, presented by Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. The Freitags and Levys are a well-to-do Jewish family living in 1939 Atlanta. The head of the household is Adolph, a middle-aged bachelor who lives with two widows: his sister Boo and sister-in-law Reba. While Adolph stews over the latest news from abroad—Hitler has invaded Poland—Boo is more concerned with getting her spacey, unpopular daughter Lala a well-connected date for Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. The closing performance will be on Monday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m., to be followed by a New Year’s Eve Party featuring an after-play cabaret concert and a champagne and dessert reception with the cast. New Year’s Eve tickets are $55-$60 per person. Purchase tickets online or by calling 214-828-0094.
• Season’s Greetings, presented by Stage West. The family has gathered for Christmas at the Bunkers (no, not those Bunkers), and the usual family and holiday tensions are simmering away with the dinner. And then older, unmarried sister Rachel brings home a young and attractive writer, who has an immediate impact on the proceedings. Hilarity and disaster ensue! It's classic Alan Ayckbourn. New Years Eve Performance and Party at 9:00 p.m. for $50 including black eyed peas, hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and the show. Call 817-784-9378 for reservations or order online.
• A Christmas Carol, presented by Casa Mañana. Audiences are buzzing with wonder and merriment for the new musical tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. When this lonely, greedy miser confronts the ghosts of his past, present and future, the result is a second chance at a life filled with laughter and love! With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, A Christmas Carol features the new holiday standards, “Christmas Together,” “Hear The Bells,” and “A Place Called Home.” Join Scrooge, Crachit, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful characters for this dazzling holiday musical! Call 817-332-2272 for tickets ($27-75) or purchase online.
• God’s Trombones, presented by Jubilee Theatre. This holiday celebration based on the Negro sermon poems by James Weldon Johnson has become a staple at Jubilee. This classic musical returns to the Jubilee stage for the first time in several years with the original music audiences have grown to love. God’s Trombones is a musical celebration that will lift your spirits and rock your soul. Purchase tickets ($14-25) online or by calling 817-338-4411.
• Celebration-Le Cirque, presented by Lone Star Circus for this weekend only. A holiday family celebration filled with superlative acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, hilarious comedy, and unparalleled artistry. Purchase tickets ($24-42) online or by calling 214-740-0051.

See more stories in:

• Arts > Fine Arts > Theater
• Holidays > Christmas Season