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Catch the Holiday Spirit(s) at the Theatre

Jordan Wright
December 2, 2013
Special to The Alexandria Times
 

In between sending out cards, trimming the tree, wrapping gifts and drinking a dram or two of Christmas cheer, be sure to plan on seeing one or more of these fabulous holiday shows.

Family holiday shows are everywhere.  But where can you find one that’s tailor made for teens…and non-denominational too?  This year the Synetic Theatre Teen Ensemble is tackling the company’s Silent Shakespeare version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and it promises to be scintillating.  In this beautifully reimagined production local teens star as Feuding Fairies, Lost Lovers and Merry Mechanicals in a production directed by Alex Mills.

There are two special events during the run of the show.  Synetic will host a special “Party Night” for teens after the December 8th evening performance, where young adults will be able to hang out with the cast and dance to a DJ onstage.  Also on the 8th at 2pm there will be a “Family Day and Holiday Party”.  Expect a visit from Santa to include snacks and games in the company’s new theatre space.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs from December 5th through the 14th.

For tickets and information call 800 494-8497 or visit www.synetictheater.org.  1800 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202

Peter Boyer, Tracey Stephens, Russell Sunday with puppets Want and Ignorance -  Photo credit: Chris Banks

Peter Boyer, Tracey Stephens, Russell Sunday with puppets Want and Ignorance –
Photo credit: Chris Banks

Over at MetroStage it’s a rollicking sendup of the classic tale with A Broadway Christmas Carol.  This is not your mama’s cup of eggnog.  The endearingly outrageous three-person cast of Russell Sunday, Peter Boyer and Tracey Stephens will delightfully dissect your funny bone through parodies of thirty-one totally recognizable show tunes from the likes of Andrew Lloyd Weber, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and many more.  Boyer is this year’s newcomer to the cast and he is absolutely phenomenal as Scrooge in this madcap holiday whirlwind of costume changes and characters sung by some of the best pipes in the biz.  Look for Pianist Howard Breitbart to get into the act in “The Phantom of Christmases Yet to Come”.   It’s all a hoot and a howl for adults only.

From November 21st through December 22rd; Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm; Sundays at 3 and 7pm. For tickets and information call 800 494-8497 or visit www.metrostage.org.  1201 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA

Gary Cramer (Bob Cratchit) - Erik Payton (Turkey Boy) - Valerie Chamness (Ghost of Christmas Past) - Photos by Eddy Roger Parker

Gary Cramer (Bob Cratchit) – Erik Payton (Turkey Boy) – Valerie Chamness (Ghost of Christmas Past) – Photos by Eddy Roger Parker

At The Little Theatre of Alexandria it’s time once again for A Christmas CarolDirected and adapted by Becky Patton, this family-friendly Dickens’ classic will warm the cockles of everyone’s heart.  Replete with elegant Victorian costumes, the accursed curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge, and the adorable Tiny Tim, you can almost smell the chestnuts roasting as ghostly guides transport you through Christmas past, present and future.  Relive this Currier & Ives picture postcard of a show that reveals the true meaning of Christmas.

From December 5th through December 22nd, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm and 5 pm.  For tickets and information call 703 683-0496 or visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com.  600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

 

Signature Theatre’s line-up for the holiday season has something for everyone. Holiday Follies is back with a wonderful wintry line-up of Signature’s closest friends and artists.  There’s never been a better way to keep company on a cold winter’s night.  The special holiday performance schedule for Holiday Follies in the ARK Theatre is December 17th at 7:30pm, December 18th at 7pm, December 19th at 8pm, December 20th at 8pm, December 21st at 2pm and 8pm, December 22nd at 2pm and 7pm and December 23rd at 7pm.

In addition Matt Conner will star in his very own show, A Matt Conner ChristmasPromising to be a cozy evening of Conner on piano sharing his favorite Christmas memories, the composer of Crossing, The Hollow and Nevermore says,  “I’ll be blending them with some of my favorite Christmas songs, along with a few surprise guests.  The show will range from bluegrass to classical with a lot in-between – – all full of holiday cheer.” At Signature’s ARK Theatre with performances on December 11th at 7:30pm, December 12th at 8pm, December 13th at 8pm, December 14th at 2pm and 8pm, and December 15th at 2pm and 7 pm.

Be sure to check out the special New Year’s Eve party and midnight toast for ticketholders of the theater’s latest extravaganza, Gypsy, one of the greatest American musicals ever written starring Sherri Edelen as Mama Rose.

For tickets and information visit www.signature-theatre.org or go through the Signature Box Office at 703 573-SEAT.  4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206

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