by Mark G. Auerbach
T’is The Season For “A Christmas Carol”
The ballet world has its Nutcrackers, opera has its Amahl and the Night Visitors. The orchestral world has its Messiahs and Holiday Pops, and the theatre world has its A Christmas Carols, unless you’re lucky enough to get to New York for Goodspeed’s Holiday Inn at the Roundabout or the annual Radio City Spectacular.
Hartford Stage
Hartford Stage mounts its elaborate spectacle version of A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas for the 19th time, November 25-December 31. Originally adapted for Hartford Stage and directed by then Artistic Director Michael Wilson, it’s been annually refreshed, and this year’s version is directed by Rachel Alderman. It’s a feast for the eyes. Tony Straiges’ sets are sumptuous, and Alejo Vietti’s costumes are stunning. Bill Raymond, who has played Scrooge in Hartford for most of the productions, retires after this season, so if you’ve never seen his performance, you’ve one last chance. The cast also includes Vanessa R. Butler, who headlined the cast of Hartford Stage’s Queens for a Year and Noble Shropshire, a former member of Springfield’s StageWest company. For details: 860-527-5151 or www.hartfordstage.org.
A Christmas Carol at Berkshire Theatre Group. Photo by Ken Regan
Berkshire Theatre Group
I’m partial to the Berkshire Theatre Group’s production of A Christmas Carol, adapted and originally staged by Eric Hill. Hill’s StageWest version of the show was one of the best I’d seen. Travis G. Daly will stage this year’s production with a cast of fifty, at The Colonial in Pittsfield on December 10-22. The good news is that Eric Hill will return to the stage this year to play Scrooge. That’s a reason to head to the Berkshires. This production may not have the razzle-dazzle seen at Hartford Stage, but it has plenty of heart. For details: For details: 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org
Other Opportunities
Silverthorne Theatre Company presents A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play, as adapted by John Reese, Linda McInerney, and Michael Haley in the form of a 1930s live radio broadcast. Performances are scheduled for December 9 in Greenfield, December 10 in Northfield, and December 11 in Deerfield. For details: 413-768-7514 or www.silverthornetheater.org
A touring production of A Christmas Carol plays Springfield Symphony Hall on December 15. For details: http://www.symphonyhall.com/shows/a-christmas-carol/
Matthew Wilkas and Ron Carroll in Christmas on The Rocks at TheaterWorks. Photo by Lanny Nagler.
Some Non-Traditional Holiday Fare
Christmas on The Rocks
TheaterWorks in Hartford has created a hilarious holiday show, and I can’t remember ever laughing as much as I did, when I saw last season’s Christmas on The Rocks, devised by Rob Ruggiero. The hilarity returns November 29-December 23. Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkas, two of the show’s three stars, have written a piece for this year’s edition. Ron Carroll also stars.
It’s Christmas Eve in a rundown local bar. Expecting a silent night, the bartender finds himself mixing drinks for a parade of surprising guests – children from your favorite Christmas specials and movies – now all grown up. Join them as they pour out their Christmas woes in this delightful parody. The contributing playwrights and sketch writers also include: John Cariani, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Theresa Rebeck, Edwin Sanchez, and Jonathan Tolins.
This totally-twisted laugh-riot is definitely not for the kids! For details: 860.527.7838 or www.theaterworkshartford.org.
The Edwards Twins
Christmas With The Stars
The Edwards Twins, Anthony and Edward, impersonate stars, and their Christmas With The Stars show recreates those variety specials of the favorite holiday shows from the 70s and 80s in an evening filled with impersonations of Bette Midler, Cher, Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand. With all live vocals, they will sing each star’s number one hit as well as some holiday favorites. They’ve got two performances scheduled at The Academy of Music in Northampton, MA on November 30. Eddie performs as the female celebrities and Anthony takes on the male roles. Each transforms into a celebrity, complete with wigs, makeup and costumes. They perform their repertoire of 100 stars in rotation, and never do the same show twice.For details on The Edwards Twins: www.TheEdwardsTwins.com. For performance details: 413-584-9032 or www.AOMtheatre.com
Alex Sharp as Christopher Boone in the original National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time Photo by Joan Marcus
The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time
London and Broadway’s acclaimed hit play, adapted by Simon Stephen’s from Mark Haddon’s novel, is a mystery about a neighbor’s dog, whose death is investigated by a teen who has an autism spectrum condition. The drama, staged by Marianne Elliott, won seven Olivier Awards in London and five Tony Awards on Broadway. It’s a must-see! The national tour of The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time plays The Bushnell in Hartford on December 27 through January 1. For details: 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org.
This Weekend !
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra returns to Symphony Hall on November 19 with a program that includes: Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Op. 102, A minor and Bruckner’s Symphony No.7, E major. Violinst Mark Kaplan and cellist Clancy Newman are the soloists, and Maestro Kevin Rhodes, just back from conducting an all-Balanchine program at the Paris Opera Ballet, conducts. For details: 413-733-2291 or www.springfieldsymphony.org
Clancy Newman solos with the Springfield Symphony..
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s brass quintet will perform at Wistariahurst in Holyoke, MA on November 20. The SSO’s brass quintet will entertain concert-goers with a selection of classical music, led by South Hadley native Thomas Bergeron, Principal Trumpet; Gerald Serfass, Trumpet; Robert Hoyle, French Horn; Brian Diehl, Trombone and Stephen Perry, Tuba. The afternoon’s event also will include a discussion with SSO Conductor & Musical Director Kevin Rhodes and a brunch reception. It’s the irst of three collaborations between the SSO and Wistariahurst. For details: www.wistariahurst.org..
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
