by Mark G. Auerbach
Ten Hot Holiday Happenings
Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s acclaimed Broadway musical, takes over The Bushnell December 11-30. It’s supposedly sold out, but some tickets may be released closer to the performances, and there’s a ticket lottery. Only buy your tickets through The Bushnell if you want to be in the room when it happens. For details: https://www.bushnell.org/Hamilton
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, is the annual tradition at Hartford Stage, where Michael Wilson’s original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic is given an opulent, special-effects-filled production that has stunning sets, costumes, and lighting. Rachel Alderman directs the production, originally created by Wilson. This year, the production’s 21th anniversary, Michael Preston returns to star as Scrooge, and it runs November 23 through December 29. There’s a special sensory-friendly performance on December 1 at 2PM. For details: 860-527-5151 or www.hartfordstage.org.
Eric Hill in Berkshire Theatre Group’s A Christmas Carol. Photo by Emma K. Rothenberg-Ware.
A Christmas Carol, in Pittsfield.. Eric Hill adapted the Berkshire Theatre Group production of the holiday classic, and he stars as Scrooge. Travis G. Daly directs the community production, which features local actors, former Berkshire Theatre Group apprentices, and area children. The exuberance of the BTG’s community productions and Hill’s intimate treatment of Dickens’ classic make this production worth a visit. Performances are December 8-22 at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. There’s a special sensory-friendly performance on December 12. For details: For details: 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
Christmas On The Rocks, Rob Ruggiero’s clever creation, returns to Hartford’s Theaterworks, November 27-December 23., with Tom Bloom, Jenn Harris, and Randy Harrison, as Charlie Brown, Clara from The Nutcracker, and more.. Rob Ruggiero created the concept, and directs the playlets by John Cariani, Jenn Harris & Matthew Wilkas, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Theresa Rebeck, and Edwin Sanchez. Rebeck’s working on a new play this year. Christmas on The Rocks, sponsored by The Westfield News Group, is not for the kids. For details: 860-527-7838 or www.http://www.theaterworkshartford.org/
A Connecticut Christmas Carol, the original musical by LJ Fecho and Michael O’Flaherty based on the Charles Dickens classic with a Nutmeg State twist, returns to Goodspeed Musicals’ Terris Theatre in Chester, CT, November 30- December 30. It’s set upon the Goodspeed Opera House stage in 1925.Hunter Foster, who staged Goodspeed’s current hit, The Drowsy Chaperone, directs, and Lisa Shriver choreographs. Robert Cuccioli from Broadway’s original Jekyll and Hyde, stars as Scrooge. For details: 860-873-8668 or www. goodspeed.org
The Nutcracker is everyone’s holiday dance spectacular. You take some tales of Hoffman, add a Tchaikovsky score, and lots of dancers young and old. There are three places to see different productions of the holiday classic. The Nutmeg Ballet from Torrington, CT brings their version to The Bushnell on December 8-9. For details: 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org. The Albany Berkshire Ballet is touring the region with performances at Pittsfield’s Colonial Theatre on December 1-2. For details: 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. They then travel down the Pike to Springfield Symphony Hall for performances on December 15. For details: 413-788-7033 or www.symphonyhall.com. Pioneer Valley Ballet performs their version on December 7-9 at Northampton’s Academy of Music. For details: 413-584-9032 ext 105 or www.aomtheatre.com.
Leslie Odom Jr
Leslie Odom Jr, the Tony Award-winning star of Hamilton, joins The Hartford Symphony Pops on December 8 at The Bushnell. Carolyn Kuan conducts. Since making his Broadway debut at the age of 17 in Rent, his impressive career has spanned television, film and theater, recently starring in the movie Murder on the Orient Express. Be in the room where it happens, as Leslie performs holiday tunes, classics, and Broadway hits! For details: 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony.org.
Storm Large. Photo by Laura Domela.
Storm Large’s Holiday Ordeal comes to the UMass Fine Arts Center on December 5. It’s a night of music, laughter and her wicked charm. Known for her guest vocalist appearances with Pink Martini for the last seven years, Storm has also performed with k.d. lang, pianist Kirill Gerstein, punk rocker John Doe, Rufus Wainwright, and George Clinton. Join Storm for a grown-up themed take on joys and tribulations of the holidays. Sponsored by The Westfield News Group. For details: 413-545-2511, 800-999-UMAS or www.fineartscenter.com.
Brynn Cartelli with Kelly Clarkson
Springfield Symphony Orchestra: A Holiday Celebration. A Holiday Pops has been a Springfield tradition for decades. Guest conductor Nick Palmer joins the Orchestra and The Springfield Symphony Chorus for songs of the season. The Voice winner from Longmeadow, Brynn Cartelli, Grammy nominee Mary Lambert, Avery Sharpe’s Extended Family Choir are some of the special guests, December 8 at Symphony Hall. For details: 413-733-2291 or www.springfieldsymphony.org
John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey
Radio Deluxe comes to The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington on December 22, when renowned jazz musicians John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey will record their syndicated American-songbook radio program. This show will feature special guests Maucha Adnet and Duduka Da Fonseca. For details: 413.528.0100 or www.mahaiwe.org.
Of Note
Todd Rosenthal, the Chicago-based Tony Award-winning scenic designer, an Longmeadow native, won a Jeff Award for his sets for 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre. The Jeff’s are Chicago theatre’s equivalent of the Tony Awards.
Keep in Mind
Arts Beat Radio airs every Friday at 8AM, on 89.5fm/WSKB. On November 30, Mark G. Auerbach chats with Holyoke Symphony Maestro David Kidwell, and we go backstage at Hartford Stage’s A Christmas Carol with Vanessa R. Butler. Start your weekend with ArtsBeat Radio. Tune in live on the airwaves, on Comcast ch. 15, or www.wskb.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. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio for 89.5fm/WSKB.
