Closing weekend for 17 theater productions (Dec. 12-14)

by Shawn Parikh

This weekend marks the end to some great theatre, including some holiday production that you really don't want to miss. Make sure to see a couple while you have the chance:

• The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, presented by Kitchen Dog Theater. At the peak of his success, a prominent architect reveals he is in love with a goat. His family and friends do not understand. An unsettling analysis of who we are allowed to love and the limits of tolerance. Edward Albee is one of America’s most preeminent playwrights. In addition to Tonys and numerous other awards, he has won the Pulitzer Prize three times. His work includes Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Zoo Story. Purchase tickets ($15-30) online or by calling 214-953-1055.
• The Hallucinogenic Toreador, presented by Project X. By Dallas based playwright John Flores. Produced in collaboration with Lime House Theatre. An exploration of Dali’s most autobiographical painting. It is a spontaneous, irrational, systematic performance that combines images, text and action in an effort to express but never explain Dali’s persona and the ongoing manifestations of his own creative process as fractured and fragmented through the many facets of Dadaism, Cubism, Freudian Theory, Surrealism and ultimately, Dali-ism. $10 tickets at the door.
• Eurydice, presented by Undermain Theatre. Sarah Ruhl re-imagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Purchase tickets ($15-25) online or by calling 214-747-5515.
• Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, presented by Labyrinth Theatre. "Marley was dead, to begin with…” – what happens to Ebenezer Scrooge’s mean, sour, pruney old business partner after that? Chained and shackled, Marley is condemned to a hellish eternity. He’s even given his own private tormentor: a malicious little hell-sprite who thoroughly enjoys his work. Desperate, Marley accepts his one chance to free himself: To escape his own chains, he must first redeem Scrooge. So begins a journey of laughter and terror, redemption and renewal, during which Scrooge’s heart, indeed, is opened; but not before Marley – in this irreverent, funny and deeply moving story – discovers his own. Purchase tickets ($16-25) online or by calling 972-231-1012.
• The Ruby Sunrise, presented by Collin Theatre Center. Southwest Regional Premiere of an inventive new drama. The play begins in 1927. A scruffy teenage girl hides out in a barn in rural Indiana, where she scrounges electronic parts and constructs the first television set. Could this have really happened? If this were the truth, how many people would be allowed to know about it? From the compelling story of young Ruby in Act One, we are suddenly thrust into the world of 1950s New York and the Golden Age of Television. In this world, there are even more surprises. There are also lots of laughs, although these are painful at times. Looking back at the ludicrous conventions of 1950s TV, we wonder what we could have been thinking at the time. Playwright Groff also makes us wonder what we're thinking now, as young Ruby explains how television will change the world. Purchase tickets ($6-8) online or by calling 972-881-5809.
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, presented by Rockwall Community Playhouse. New dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The action features chases, duels and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan. All the memorable episodes from the story are represented in this exciting dramatization: the temptation of Edmund by the witch, the slaying of the evil wolf by Peter, the witnessing of Aslan's resurrection by Susan and Lucy, the crowing of the four new rulers of Narnia, and more. The supporting characters are also here: the unicorn, the centaur and other forest animals, along with Father Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver and Tumnus the Faun. This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life. Call 972-722-3399 for reservations ($12-15).
• A Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultous Acts, presented by Greater Lewisville Community Theatre. From the author of Faith County and Faith County II comes the funniest Christmas Carol ever. The Styckes Upon Thump Repertory Company embarks on their fifteenth annual tour of the Dickens classic. When the company's diva feigns illness, certain the production will be canceled, this merry troupe of over the hill and upstart actors carry on without her. Roles are shuffled and the sweet understudy suddenly finds herself on stage knowing only one line of dialogue. She has written her part in and on almost everything, including the Christmas pudding! Midway through the doomed performance, the diva rushes in to reclaim her role. Total mayhem ensues as the company scrambles to keep the show going while everything goes hilariously wrong. Call 972-221-SHOW for reservations ($10-13).
• Nuncrackers, presented by Richardson Theatre Centre. The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Nuncrackers, is presented as the first TV special taped in the Cable Access Studio built by Reverend Mother in the convent basement. It stars the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil, and four of the Mount Saint Helen's most talented students. Featuring all new songs including "Twelve Days Prior to Christmas", "Santa Ain't Coming to Our House", "We Three Kings of Orient Are Us", and "It's Better to Give than to Receive", this show is filled with typical Nunsense humor, some of your favorite carols and a "Secret Santa" audience participation. We're certain this Nunsense Christmas Show will make you laugh and maybe tug at your heartstrings. It's the perfect way to enure that your holiday season is merry and bright. Call 972-699-1130 for tickets ($20-22).
• Christmas Carol Miracle, presented by Creative Arts Theatre & School. It’s December 1939 in a small Texas town, the orphans at Abba House enter the town’s annual Christmas Carol Contest. The money will save the doomed orphanage. The orphans are sure to win…until Christoper arrives. Not only can Christopher not sing, but he never smiles either. Will the orphans let Christopher sing with the choir knowing that they could lose the contest and prize money, and therefore their home? This wonderful family musical by Taffy Geisel will not only touch your heart, it will also put you in the holiday spirit. Purchase tickets ($5-7) online or by calling 817-861-CATS.
• From the Beginning to the Nativity, Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s Christmas Special. Medieval mystery plays began in the 10th century as serious church performances and developed into colorful and theatrical spectacles involving the whole community. Plays being presented are The Creation, Noah’s Flood, The Procession of Prophets, Joseph’s Trouble About Mary, The Salutation of Elizabeth, The Offering of the Magi, The Flight into Egypt, The Slaughter of the Innocents, and The Purification of Mary Show. Purchase tickets ($6-15) online or by calling 1-866-811-4111.
• Fruitcakes, presented by Company of Rowlett Performers. 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. Purchase tickets ($8-10) online or by calling 972-412-1927.
• A Classic Christmas at the Campus, presented by Denton Community Theatre. The fun begins in the lobby before showtimes with Victorian style street performers wander on into the Theatre to catch DCT's Roadshow Troop performing traditional British Panto - an improvisational & interactive style of theatre that is sure to delight young and old DCT's Theatre School Students present The Twelve Days of Christmas. Then the main event....A Christmas Carol, adapted by Donna Trammell from the public reading version as condensed by Charles Dickens. Call 940-382-1915 for tickets ($8-12).
• A Christmas Carol, presented by Grand Prairie Arts Council. Always a Holiday favorite. GPAC is proud to present a unique production of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol; including the original story and characters told in a fresh new way with singing, dancing and a full orchestra. Purchase tickets ($10-20) online or by calling 972-237-UPTN.
• Annie, Jr., presented by Mckinney Youth Theatre. For tickets please call 972-422-2575.
• Annie, Jr., presented by Plano Community Theatre. For tickets ($7-9) call 972 422-2575.
• Babes in Toyland, presented by Studio B. Call 972-966-2787 to reserve & pay for your seats ($10-15).
• Angel in the Barn, presented by Plano Community Theatre. The story is about a husband and wife who are ill at sorts with each other and life. Crashing into their lives and barn! comes a rumpled old man with tattered wings. Soon all their wishes begin to come true - magically - until one day when even all their new found riches aren't enough to satisfy them. However, when disaster nearly strikes, they finally realize the importance of family and life. Admission is free with a donation of an unwrapped toy. Presents will be donated to Douglass Community Center which serves economically disadvantaged youth.