Part of what makes the holidays so much fun is all the traditional and not-so-traditional plays, musicals and concerts on stage this time of year. They put participants and audiences in the spirit of the season with classic tales of love, joy and generosity.
Here we'll highlighting area holiday productions and the local performers involved in them every Thursday leading up to New Years. To submit an item for the column, send your photos and information to jdiver@eagletribune.com or mail them to The Eagle-Tribune, c/o Jill Diver, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845.
Methuen Ballet Ensemble returns with 'Nutcracker'
It has us from hello, or that first tum, ta da tum, tum, tum, tum tum . . . .
Few things say the holidays have returned like the classic ballet, "The Nutcracker."
And each year, the Methuen Ballet Ensemble from the Voter's School of Dance and Gymnastics in Salem, N.H., brings the holiday classic to life with a lavish flourish that includes a giant, growing Christmas tree and vibrant costumes.
This year audiences can catch the show at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Saturday, Nov. 28 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. A reception will be held in the main lobby of The Firehouse at 6 p.m. on Saturday prior to the 7 p.m. show.
Under the artistic direction of Vanessa Rae Voter, the Methuen Ballet Ensemble has staged "The Nutcracker" for more than 20 years. Those years hold many memories for Voter, whose late grandmother used to make many of the costumes for the show.
"Even when she was sick and couldn't really see, she enjoyed 'The Nutcracker,'" said Voter of her grandmother. "I know this is something she really enjoyed and because of that I feel like it's something I will always do."
Voter, a former dancer with Boston Ballet, feels like the dancers in her "Nutcracker" have become a ballet family — spending several days a week together in rehearsal for the show.
Voter conceived the idea for local performances when she experienced the audition process for Boston Ballet's productions. With hundreds of young dancers auditioning for few parts, she was moved by the disappointment expressed by those children not chosen for the show. What separates this "Nutcracker" from other productions is that every dancer who auditions receives a part.
"My heart went out to the kids," Voter said. "My students, they all get a part. A lot get two parts."
All principal roles are performed by members of Methuen Ballet Ensemble, whose experience totals over 150 years of classical ballet training under Voter's tutelage.
Company members hail from all over the Merrimack Valley and range in professions from college students to a dentist. Most are in their 20s, Voter said.
For tickets visit www.firehouse.org or call the box office at 978-462-7336. All tickets are $20 and seating is reserved.
Christmas stories adapted for Boston stage
Two heartwarming journeys into the foibles of the holiday season are adapted for the stage when Underground Railway Theater presents a double bill called "Tru Grace": Grace Paley's "The Loudest Voice" and Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory," both adapted and directed by Wesley Savick. These whimsical holiday tales are playing at Central Square Theater now through Sunday, Dec. 27.
Joyful and rich with humor, both stories are set in the 1930s and told from the point of view of children — one a girl from the Bronx, the other a boy from Alabama. Paley's "The Loudest Voice" takes the audience to a Russian Jewish immigrant school where "without shame" gentile teachers annually stage the Nativity.
In "A Christmas Memory," Capote recalls his close friendship with another social outcast, his wildly eccentric older cousin, and their holiday tradition of making fruitcakes. This nostalgic tale of a shared understanding and love evokes the simple joys and sorrows of the holidays.
"Tru Grace" plays at Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, through Dec. 27. Tickets are priced at $35 or $25 for seniors, $20 for students with a valid ID, $15 for student rush (day of performance) and $15 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-811-4111, online at www.centralsquaretheater.org, or at the Central Square Theater box office. For box office hours, group discounts, and more info call 617-576-9278 x213.
Ring in the holidays at the Currier
The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester celebrates the holidays with the sounds of the season on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Granite State Ringers, a handbell choir, and Renaissance guitarist Jack Nailor will perform in the museum. Visitors can stop by the Winter Garden for refreshments and to make a beaded snowflake ornament to take home.
The drop-in art-making adult workshop "Beaded Snowflake Ornaments" provides the opportunity to create something beautiful and festive for family or friends. Additionally, at 6 p.m, visitors are invited to join a 15-minute Gallery Talk "Photographs of Snowflakes."
Admission is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Price includes museum admission, live music, gallery talk, and drop-in workshop. To purchase tickets visit www.currier.org or call 603-669-6144 ext. 108.
This evening is part of the Currier's First Thursday series. On the first Thursday evening of each month, the museum is open late and provides programming designed to inspire visitors to try something new.
Vets honored in new holiday music album
A holiday CD created as a gift for members of the Air Force who are serving overseas and their families will include an arrangement by Ken Langer, professor of music at Northern Essex Community College.
Titled "I'll be Home for the Holidays," the newly released CD features the Heritage Brass Quintet, which is part of the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band.
In addition to Langer's piece, which is an arrangement of Mozart's "Adoramus Te, Christe," the CD will feature traditional holiday music, classical arrangements, and background music for a sing-along.
For more information, contact Langer at klanger@necc.mass.edu or call 978-556-3223.
O Christmas Tree
On Saturday, Nov. 28, Smolak Farms hosts its annual Tree Lighting Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families can come out into the fields to choose and cut their own Christmas tree or pick from an assortment of pre-cut trees, and other holiday trimmings.
Here's a schedule of activities:
Smolak Express train ride with Mrs. Claus available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wreath decorating from noon to 1 p.m.
Gingerbread house decorating from 1 to 2 p.m.
Cooking demonstration from 2 to 3 p.m.
Carolers will be singing holiday favorites from 4 to 5 p.m.
Santa will arrive to light the Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m.
Also featuring crafts for kids throughout the afternoon along with stories with Mrs. Claus.
Smolak Farms is located at 315 South Bradford St., North Andover.
The 'Sweet' sound of the season
The brilliance of Christmas bells resounds through the region as New England Ringers, the Northeast's premier community handbell ensemble, presents an enticing array of holiday "Sweets" this yuletide season. Performing delightful concoctions of familiar and classical works on six octaves of handbells and seven octaves of chimes, these musicians capture the high energy and joy of the holidays.
The concert will be held on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m. in the Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St., North Andover. Tickets in advance are $12 (or $10 for those over 65 or under 13) or at the door are $15 (or $12 for those over 65 or under 13).
For additional information on upcoming performances, call 978-851-3024, send an e-mail to info@newenglandringers.org, or visit the Web site, www.newenglandringers.org
'Christmas Carol' returns to Stoneham
Stoneham Theatre reopened its doors with "A Christmas Carol" on Dec. 1, 2000 and, in celebration of its 10th season, brings this holiday classic back to its stage starting tomorrow and running through Dec. 27. The production will feature Leigh Barrett as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Nigel Gore as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Gerard Slattery as the Ghost of Christmas Present. The Stoneham Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol" is both adapted and directed by Diego Arciniegas.
Stoneham Theatre will be celebrating its 10th anniversary before the evening's performance of "A Christmas Carol" on Dec. 19. There will be hors d'oeuvres, a special anniversary cocktail, gifts, and holiday merriment. Ticket price is $65 per person (including performance) and is Black Tie Optional. The celebration begins at 6 p.m., followed by the performance at 8 p.m. Subscribers of Stoneham Theatre may exchange their tickets to attend the Anniversary Celebration for an additional $15 per person.
Stoneham Theatre also offers North Shore Music Theatre subscribers one free ticket to one first Friday night performance of any of the seven main stage productions in the 2009-2010 season, including "A Christmas Carol." The first Friday night performance of "A Christmas Carol" will be on Friday, Nov. 27. Free tickets for North Shore Music Theatre subscribers are available by calling the Stoneham Theatre Box Office.
Tickets are $48 or $44 for adults, and student and senior discounts are available. Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main St., Stoneham. Visit or call the Box Office at 781-279-2200, open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m., or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.
Be an angel or an elf
From tomorrow through Sunday, Dec. 13, Burtons Grill in North Andover presents its second annual Angels & Elves holiday program to benefit The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence.
Burtons asks its guests to "Be an Elf" and donate any cash amount or choose to "Be an Angel" and donate $50 toward a hot meal and present from good old Santa Claus for 650 kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence.
The program was created by Burtons Grill C.E.O. Kevin Harron and North Andover General Manager Mike Tynan.
"In this current economic climate, everyone should try to do something," Tynan said. "We've had a strong relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. They especially look for help during the holiday season, so we created the Angels & Elves program to give our customers the opportunity to give back."
The Angels & Elves program raised more than $4,000 last year at the restaurant, located at 145 Turnpike St., North Andover. For more information or reservations please call 978-688-5600.
