Friday, December 19, 2008

Closing weekend for 30 theater productions (Dec. 19-21)

By Shawn Parikh

With Xmas next week, many theater companies are appropriately closing their holiday shows, along with other productions. Make sure to check these out within the next few days while you have the chance:

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Photo by Mark Trew

A Christmas Story

• A Christmas Carol, presented by Dallas Theater Center. Charles Dickens’ beloved classic about a mean old man spooked into rediscovering what life’s about jumps across the footlights in this annual DTC revival of a holiday favorite. Set in Victorian London, where the privileged, in their fancy parlors, prosper while the poor struggle to survive, A Christmas Carol speaks to all ages as it tells the tale of the cynical Ebenezer Scrooge. With a heart hardened by a tragic childhood and lost love, Scrooge would rather Christmas never came around to disrupt his money-grubbing ways… until he gets a nightmarish series of wake-up calls from the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. DTC’s much loved production captures A Christmas Carol’s enduring message of hope and redemption. With its evocative songs, sprightly dances, spectacular sets and magical stage effects it’s the perfect holiday season treat for everyone. Purchase tickets ($23-60) online or by calling 214-522-8499.
• The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, presented by Sundown Collaborative Theatre. Sundown invites you to a dark, dark Christmas comedy. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges, which seems to implicate everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES. Tickets are $8-12.
• Madeline’s Christmas, presented by Dallas Children's Theater. Joyeux Noel and Bonne Annee! Celebrate the season in picturesque Paris with the famous and precocious little sweetheart adored by generations for her bravery and kindness. Bakes on the book, this holiday musical adventure is a French delight filled with surprising miracles. Join us for a merry magic carpet ride! Purchase tickets ($14-24) online or by calling 214-740-0051.
• Santa’s Holiday for Strings, presented by Dallas Children's Theater. Starring Santa and Frosty, and featuring Christmas trees, penguins, and seasonal gifts, this innovative holiday celebration honors peace, joy and love. Utilizing multiple styles of puppetry, Kathy Burks' nationally celebrated troupe captures the spirit of the season in an exciting musical revue filled with fun, friendship and family. Purchase tickets ($14-24) online or by calling 214-740-0051.
• Season’s Greetings, presented by Theatre Three. A Christmas gathering replete with family recriminations, a chaotically incompetent puppet show, over-consumed Christmas spirits, and a hilariously bungled midnight tryst make this superbly crafted comedy a must-see holiday show. Purchase tickets ($25-30) online or by calling 214-871-3300.
• Reindeers Unplugged, presented by The Butterfly Connection. Follows the journey of some light up lawn furniture as they try and save one of their own from the Big Green Monster (The Dump Truck). When they discover their friend is headed for destruction, these unlikely characters band together and decide to unplug themselves, despite the looming death and peril of doing so, and head out on a quest to save their friend. Along the way, they discover what the true meaning of Christmas is, inspire a new Christmas song, and save Baby Jesus! (Or Baby Jesus saves them!) Purchase tickets ($8-15) online or by calling 817-333-4028.
• A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant, presented by Circle Theatre. The story of L. Ron Hubbard's meteoric rise from science fiction writer to leader of a New Age religious empire is re-enacted in this cheeky "unauthorized" rock musical. A cast of jubilant children portray L. Ron Hubbard, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and the evil alien Xenu, against the backdrop of a traditional nativity pageant. Purchase tickets ($20-30) by calling 817-877-3040.
• This Wonderful Life, presented by WaterTower Theatre. Share the hope and humor of Frank Capra’s adored classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life re-imagined as a one-man tour de force. There’s the family man George Bailey; evil and miserly Mr. Potter; Clarence, the dotty angel-in-waiting; devoted Mary; and Zuzu with her petals. But we can’t forget the image of a man standing alone on a bridge on Christmas Eve...the story of how he got there, and how he found his way back home. Brimming with hope and humor, This Wonderful Life is a must-see event that will provide the perfect start to your family’s holiday festivities. Call 972-450-6232 for tickets ($20).
• Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity, presented by WaterTower Theatre. Reverend Roy Ledbetter and the congregation of the Open Heart Community Fellowship Church bring the Christmas story to life in an Appalachian setting with down-home laughter, toe-tapping music and a tug at the heart. In the tradition of the medieval mystery plays of Old England, Beautiful Star weaves music, humor and wonder together, re-telling great stories from the Bible in a festive gathering of family, friends and faith. Call 972-450-6232 for tickets ($25-40).
• Thoroughly Modern Millie, presented by Repertory Company Theatre. This zany romantic spoof of the Jazz Age has it all – frisky flappers, dashing leading men, and a dragon lady of a villainess who knows far more about the white slavery trade than she cares to admit. It’s up to little Millie, a small town girl on a modern quest through the big bad city, to save the day, unravel the mysteries of the Orient, and finally marry her boss – whoever he may be. Adapted from the beloved 1967 Oscar-winning film starring Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore, and featuring such songs as “Only In New York,” “Gimme Gimme,” and the fringe-flying title tune, this recent Broadway smash was a winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Call 972-690-5029 for tickets ($14-25).
• Little Red Riding Hood, presented by Theatre Britain. Meet Ulf and her sidekicks, Gnasher and Slasher, three of the wiliest wolves this side of Plano. They are very, very hungry and they have tracked down the perfect lunch – Little Ruby Red Riding Hood and her Granny! But will their plan be thwarted by Charlie The Chopper and Ruby’s mum, Mother Hood? Find out in the world premiere of Jackie Mellor-Guin’s newest masterpiece. Call 972-490-4202 for reservations ($8-18).
• A Christmas Story, presented by ONSTAGE in Bedford. Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more. Purchase tickets ($10-15) online or by calling 817-354-6444.
• Fruitcakes, presented by Theatre Arlington. Mix together spiked fruitcakes, three dozen Christmas trees, 10,000 Christmas lights, a runaway kid, a town of eccentrics, and a Christmas hog named Buster - and you've got a recipe for a heaping help of hilarity and holiday warmth for the entire family! Purchase tickets ($10-15) online or by calling 817-275-7661.
• My Three Angels, presented by Runway Theatre. Christmas Eve is upon us, and it’s only 105 degrees in the shade. Travel back in time to turn-of-the-20th-century French Guiana where paroled convicts from the local penal colony move about with relative freedom. What we soon learn is that on the outside it is often very hard to tell who the real criminals are. Sometimes the only difference between freemen and those from the Bastille is that the incarcerated have been caught and prosecuted for their crimes. My Three Angels takes a warm, witty and romantic look at our long-standing moral convictions of what is right and wrong. Purchase tickets ($12-15) online or by calling 817-488-4842.
• Black Nativity, presented by TeCo Theatrical Productions and New Arts Six. This foot-stomping, toe-tapping, soul-stirring musical is the joyous account of a historic event that happened over 2,000 years ago. In this exciting holiday favorite, Langston Hughes tells the Christmas story like no other production ever has. Under the capable direction of renowned dramatic practitioner, H. J. Steward, this year's performance features New Arts Six, a performing arts ensemble made up of classically trained artists devoted to the preservation of African-American music, poetry and literature. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind theatrical wonderment this holiday season. Purchase tickets ($15-20) online or by calling 214-948-0716.
• Ebenezer Scrooge, presented by Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Based on Dickens’ classic story, this heart-warming Christmas musical is a tale of love and redemption which everyone should see at least once a year. For the 27th consecutive Holiday Season. Call 214-821-1860 for tickets ($10-18).
• The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, presented by Theatre Coppell. This adaptation of Earl Hamner Jr.’s autobiographical novel formed the basis for the television series “The Waltons.” Set during the Great Depression, the story centers on a poor family in the Virginia mountains worrying about having a lean Christmas, because there’s so little money to celebrate. This anxiety is heightened when the family learns that the bus on which the father commutes to work each day has crashed. The eldest son, feeling the first sensations of adulthood and responsibility, decides to leave home to reach the scene of the accident. As they wait for news of their father’s fate, the family members stick together and, in the process, discover the true meaning of Christmas. Purchase tickets ($12-14) online or by calling 972-745-7719.
• Uncle Duz Christmas, presented by Jubilee Theatre. Gather round the piano for some holiday favorites! Everyone is here for the music, family, and good ole’ holiday cheer when an unexpected visitor crashes the party. But the fun is just beginning with the arrival of everybody’s favorite Uncle! Uncle has plenty to tell you about his past holiday adventures with stories and songs told with enough enthusiasm to convince anybody about the spirit of the season. Funny and heartwarming – Uncle is a great way to start your holiday season! Purchase tickets ($14-25) online or by calling 817-338-4411.
• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, presented by Casa Mañana's Children's Playhouse. Get in the holiday spirit with the world’s most famous reindeer. Young, shy Rudolph is laughed at because of his bright red nose. But that glowing nose comes in very handy when Santa needs someone to save Christmas by serving as a beacon to guide his sleigh. Join Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid and all the other reindeer as Rudolph captures their admiration and proves he is a true Christmas hero. Purchase tickets ($14-19) online or by calling 817-332-2272.
• Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, presented by Frisco Community Theatre. A one-man show! "Marley was dead, to begin with…"—and 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 ($15-18) online or by calling 972-370-2266.
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, presented by Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre. In this hilarious Christmas tale, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids-- probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem-- and the fun-- when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! Purchase tickets ($12-33) online or by calling 972-724-2147.
• Murder at 1440 Kilowatts: A Fatal Frequency, presented by Lakeside Community Theatre. Set in the 1940's, Murder at 1440 Kilowatts: A Fatal Frequency takes us back to a time where radio shows were the entertainment of choice, and The Miracle Broadcasting Network is preparing to air it's episode entitled, "Getting Away with Murder"... a wonderful "who-dun-it" script. The only problem is one of the players actually dies during the broadcast and the rest of the cast of characters is left trying to solve the murder while struggling to remain on the air! You won't want to miss this hilarious show full of mystery, comedy, suspicion and of course, sound effects! For reservations, call 972-727-4098 or 214-616-4289.
• Cinderella, presented by Artisan Center Theatre. This clever story about love and hope and the beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein score promise to make Cinderella a holiday treat for all generations! Call 817-284-1200 for tickets ($6-15).
• A Christmas Story, presented by Ennis Public Theatre. Nine-year-old ralphie Parker is obsessed with getting a Red ryder BB gun for Christmas and will go to almost any length to get it. Nostalgia and a laugh a minute make this a Christmas must. Call 972-878-PLAY for reservations ($12-15).
• Christmas Belles, presented by Theatre Off The Square. It’s Christmas-time in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie, Twink and Honey Raye—are not exactly in a festive mood. A cranky Frankie is weeks overdue with her second set of twins. Twink, recently jilted and bitter about it, is in jail for inadvertently burning down half the town. And hot-flash-suffering Honey Raye is desperately trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos. But things are not looking too promising: Miss Geneva, the ousted director of the previous twenty-seven productions, is ruthless in her attempts to take over the show. The celebrity guest Santa Claus—played by Frankie’s long-suffering husband, Dub—is passing a kidney stone. One of the shepherds refuses to watch over his flock by night without pulling his little red wagon behind him. And the entire cast is dropping like flies due to food poisoning from the Band Boosters’ Pancake Supper. And when Frankie lets slip a family secret that has been carefully guarded for decades, all hope for a successful Christmas program seems lost, even with an Elvis impersonator at the manger. But in true Futrelle fashion, the feuding sisters find a way to pull together in order to present a Christmas program the citizens of Fayro will never forget. Tickets are $9-12.
• The Miraculous Journey of Nicholas, presented by Word of Mouth Productions. Tells the story of a reluctant miracle worker, who evolves from a renowned Bishop into an even more popular Christmas icon. Along his journeys throughout the ancient world, Nicholas grapples with storms at sea, a villainous innkeeper, and the feisty goddess Artemis. Finally he arrives in New York City to assume his reinvention as Santa Claus. Based on the actual legends of the Saint, this lively and witty epic is intended for children of all ages. Call 214-544-4630 for tickets ($12-16).
• Back Home For Christmas, presented by Granbury Opera House. A heart warming show that will fill you with the Holiday spirit performed only the way that the talented Granbury Opera House performers can do. Chock full of traditional Christmas favorites with the finale highlighting the true " meaning of Christmas." Purchase tickets ($10-25) online or by calling 800-547-4697.
• A Christmas Carol, presented by Kids Who Care. Join Kids Who Care for this lovely holiday tradition complete with Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come....You will want to bring your whole family to this beautiful musical that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. Call 817-737-5437 for more tickets ($12-16).
• Dickens of a Christmas Carol, presented by Actors Conservatory Theatre. Tickets ($7-10) on sale at the box office 1/2 hour before the show.
• Annie, Jr., presented by Plano Community Theatre. For tickets ($7-9), call 972 422-2575.

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