Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Is it really possible that the holidays are already upon us? All it takes is a quick look at the retail stores to know it?s true. Virtually bypassing both Halloween and Thanksgiving kicked an early shopping season into gear. Fortunately, theatre companies from the South Bay to Sacramento offer a variety of alternatives to cutthroat competition with the madding crowds for the last Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch Doll on the shelves.

There?s plenty of traditional fare on stage, but don?t dismiss it as old news. The classics have endured for a reason. If anyone in your family hasn?t seen Charles Dickens? story of humbug Scrooge or Tchiakovsy?s ballet about a girl?s special gift brought to life on stage, don?t put it off another year. Young and old will cherish memories of watching the magic unfold long after the tinkling of bells (and cash registers) has faded.

A Christmas Carol
ACT, SF, Nov 26 ? Dec 24 ($$$-$$$$)
Center REPertory Theatre, Walnut Creek, Dec 7 ? 17 ($$$)
Sonoma County Repertory Theater, Nov 24 ? Dec 23 ($$)
San Ramon Community Theater, Dec 8 ? 17 ($)
Sacramento Theatre Company, Dec 6 ? 24 ($$-$$$)
Missouri Street Theatre Dec 8 – 23, ($-$$)

The Nutcracker
Ballet San Jose, Dec 14 ? 24 ($$$-$$$$)
San Francisco Ballet, Dec 14 ? 31 ($$$$)
Sacramento Ballet, Dec 8 ? 23 ($$$$)

There?s even a musical adaptation of Dickens? tale which comes by way of the big screen. Scrooge ? The Musical by Leslie Bricusse will be presented by the City of Rocklin, Dec 8 ? 17 ($).

Scrooge and the nutty soldier may feature in two of the best-known holiday tales ever, but they aren?t the only stories worthy of being called classic. ODC is celebrating it?s 20th anniversary production of The Velveteen Rabbit Nov 24 ? Dec 10 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco ($$-$$$). Couples without kiddos may prefer the poignant sacrifice in O. Henry?s love story which provides inspiration for two different musicals this holiday season. The Gift of the Magi by Peter Ekstrom runs at Nevada City?s Foothill Theatre Company, Nov 16 ? Dec 30 ($-$$), while The Gifts of the Magi by Mark St. Germain and Randy Counts is playing in Hayward?s Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Nov 24 ? Dec 10 ($-$$).

With quotable lines like ?You?ll shoot your eye out, kid,? the 1983 film A Christmas Story cemented Jean Shepherd?s story about little Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun as a perennial favorite. San Jose Repertory Theatre hopes the magic works for Ralphie onstage, Nov 25 ? Dec 30 ($$$). From BBs to Irving Berlin, California Musical Theatre?s Broadway Series brings White Christmas back to Sacramento this year Dec 27 ? Jan 7, ($$$-$$$$). Not to give anything away, the ending is a dream come true.

But what if you?ve been there/done that with the classics and want to try something different? Well, you have plenty of options for new and unique holiday theatre, including some twists on the Dickens classic. Christmas Twist tosses tradition on its ear, Nov 16 ? Dec 22 at City Lights Theater Company of San Jose ($-$$), and Pacifica Spindrift Players stages the ?fiendishly funny? Mrs. Bob Cratchit?s Christmas Binge by Christopher Durang, Nov 17 ? Dec 17 ($$). Last but not least, a queer twist adds spice to Dickens with Queer Carol, Nov 29 ? Dec 31 at New Conservatory Theatre Center in SF ($$-$$$).

Or how about a world premiere? For laughs, there?s Keep the Yuletide Gay, Nov 30 ? Dec 30 at Theatre Q in Palo Alto ($-$$), or you could take a more dramatic turn with Carol of the Bells: A Holiday Fantasy, Nov 30 ? Dec 24 at Town Hall Theatre Company of Lafayette ($-$$). The world premiere triumverate wouldn?t be complete without kid-friendly musical Christmas Dreamland at American Musical Theatre of San Jose in Campbell which features singing penguins and dancing pigs, Nov 24 ? Dec 24 ($$$$).

On the subject of musical fare, there?s San Francisco icon Beach Blanket Babylon?s holiday show complete with tap-dancing Christmas trees, Nov 13 ? Dec 31 ($$$$). You?ve been very good if you get A Little Cole in Your Stocking at Berkeley?s Aurora Theatre Company, Dec 20 ? 30 ($$), or you can enjoy the ?joyful noise? of Black Nativity, a gospel celebration at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Nov 24 ? Dec 24 ($-$$). Garbeau?s Dinner Theatre?s annual holiday pageant is also back for its second year of festive music and fun, Nov 18 ? Dec 30 ($$-$$$).

Short on music but big on comedy, if you?re adventuresome, give one or all of these a try: one woman show Twelve Days of Cochina by Marga Gomez, Nov 16 ? Dec 17 at Theatre Rhinoceros in SF ($$-$$$); Sister?s Christmas Catechism The Mystery of the Magi?s Gold at Napa Valley Opera House, Dec 12 ? 22 ($$$); or A Tuna Christmas, the Greater Tuna holiday show at Dreamweavers Theatre in Napa, Dec 1 ? 17, ($$).

If you can?t decide on any one of these festive events, there?s one show that wraps it all into one zany package. Every Christmas Story Ever Told ?spoofs all of your favorite Christmas stories with high-energy fun? at Capital Stage aboard the Delta King in Sacramento, Nov 25 ? Dec 31 ($-$$).

Whatever performances and traditions you and your family share this holiday season, we wish you health, peace, and joy into 2007 and beyond. Many blessings!

$ = <$15
$$ = $16-25
$$$ = $26-50
$$$$ = >$50

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