Friday, November 30, 2007

Check out the holiday-oriented theater productions opening this weekend

By Shawn Parikh

With the month of December about to begin, a lot of theaters are set to open their holiday shows this weekend, while some are not:

The Snow Queen

• The Beulaville Baptist Book Club Presents: A Bur-less-Q Nutcracker!, world premiere presented by MBS Productions. The women of the Beulaville Baptist Book Club are in dire straits financially, and as a last ditch attempt to save their book club they decide to do a fundraiser and hire the Beaumont Ballet to perform Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. Madge's Pina Colada Casserole unfortunately sickens the entire cast with food poisoning and they are unable to perform. Luckily, there is another dance troupe in town. It seems the Velvet Kittens Burlesque Dancers are stuck in Beulaville because their van broke down on their way to New Orleans. Madge has never heard of Burlesque, or as she pronounces it "Bur-less-Q", and in an act of necessity hires the dance troupe to do The Nutcracker. The end result? The most original, unusual, and comical Nutcracker you have ever seen! Purchase tickets ($16-21) online or by calling 214-477-4942.
• The Snow Queen, presented by Undermain Theatre. Nina, the Snow Queen, has migrated south yet once again to find her “boy” for the season. Upon running into Christian, she chooses him and whisks him away up north for the winter. But relationships are never that easy, and even though Nina has all the glitz and glamour on her side, as the winter draws to an end and spring appears, Analiese, our young heroin, journeys north to find her love. Thus a timeless tale wrought with danger, adventure, and love, The Snow Queen is a fairytale for adults that still believe in magic. Purchase tickets ($10-15) online or by calling 214-747-5515.
• Rockin' Christmas Party, presented by WaterTower Theatre. After a three year hiatus, Rockin’ Christmas Party returns to the WaterTower stage. Six of the hippest performers in town and a swingin’ live band “rock around the Christmas tree" as they groove to the Top 40 hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Purchase tickets ($20-30) online or by calling 972-450-6232.
• Big, the Musical, presented by Denton Community Theatre. From the hit 1987 movie, Big, starring Tom Hanks, this is the story of Josh Baskin who is frustrated with the woes of adolescence and wishes to be "big." When he awakens the next morning inhabiting the body of a 30-year-old man, he quickly learns that adulthood is not what he expected and ultimately everyone must grow up at his/her own pace. This musical tale first appeared on Broadway in 1996 and later toured the USA. The book by John Weidman and score by David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr., make this fantasy a truly terrific family musical. Call 940-382-1915 for information and ticket purchases ($10-18).
• My Three Angels, presented by Collin Theatre Center. Three convicts are employed as roofers by a family whose roof is in desperate need of maintenance. On the way from France is an evil-minded cousin, eager to oust the father of the family from his business, and his cold-blooded nephew, who is jilting the father's daughter for an heiress. The three convicts—two of them murderers, the third a swindler—take the visitors on. All three have warm hearts and are passionate believers in true justice. Possessing every criminal art and penal grace, they set matters right and in doing so redeem themselves as real life angels to the grateful family. Request tickets ($6-8) online or by calling the box office at 972 881-5809.
• Fruitcakes, presented by Runway Theatre. Mix together a batch of fruitcakes, three dozen Christmas trees, 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights, a chicken pox epidemic, two southern spinsters, an estranged old man, a lost cat named Tutti Frutti and a Christmas hog named Buster and you've got the recipe for a fun filled and touching evening filled with holiday cheer. Into this world comes Jamie, a kid who has run away from home and come as far as his money will take him. At first he thinks this town's inhabitants are "nuttier than fruitcakes," but soon he comes to admire, appreciate and adore this nutty little town. A moving story of alienation, understanding and reconciliation, Fruitcakes provides audiences with a heaping helping of holiday warmth and Christmas cheer. Call 817-488-4842 for reservations ($10-15).
• A Christmas Carol, presented by Rockwall Community Playhouse. A Christmas Carol is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from an embittered, ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas eve, show him what live means. Call 972-722-3399 for reservations ($12-15).
• Little Women, presented by Greater Lewisville Community Theatre. Another Silver Anniversary re-production by GLCT, this much loved story interweaves the lives of four sisters growing up during the American Civil War, and is based on Alcott's own experiences as a child in Concord, Massachusetts, with her three sisters, Anna, May and Elizabeth. Call 972-221-SHOW for reservations ($10-13).
• My Favorite Christmas, presented by Ennis Public Theatre. The Osborn family gets a visit from Santa; but who’s really in that suit? Young Ben’s doubts about Santa are dispelled, while little sister Angela learns the real meaning of giving. Both experience a Christmas they will never forget. This family Christmas story is funny, sweet and full of surprises. Call 972-878-PLAY for reservations ($6-14).
• You Better Watch Out, presented by Lakeside Community Theatre. It's Christmas Eve at the Willow Inn Bed and Breakfast, and a storm is raging outside. B & B proprietors Jenny and Tom are entertaining Jenny's father at the bed and breakfast for the first time. Due to an on-coming blizzard, three travelers are forced to take refuge at the inn, including a mysterious Mr. Smith. Call 972-727-4098 for tickets ($10-12).
• The Cricket on The Hearth, presented by Word of Mouth Productions. Based on the classic tale by Charles Dickens, adapted by Marian Jonson. Call 214-544-4630 for tickets ($9-13).

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