One of my fondest memories of theater was seeing “A Christmas Carol” with my then 7-year old son in a tiny off Broadway theater near Zabar’s – so tiny, it was startling, uncomfortable at first, and then completely engaging.
The power of the story-telling is amplified in such intimacy just as it was when last week I saw a Wednesday matinee of Alan Bennett’s excellent play “The History Boys” at Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 280-seat theater. (More on that on page 38).
I wish that were the case for the King Center production of the Dickens classic this weekend. But this version of “A Christmas Carol” appears to be ramped up with more than a small stage can handle: a cast of 23 includes a caroling choir that comes in with Victorian Christmas music at various points within the script.
The main stage production is a return event for the Omaha Community Playhouse’s touring professional division, Nebraska Travelling Caravan. The performance is Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $24, and for children under 16, $19.
The beautifully original recent music of Jewish reggae performer Matisyahu is offered in a concert billed as intimate, even though it, too, is on the King Center’s main stage. Evening of Light promises to be an apt celebration for Hannukah. That’s Sunday at 7 p.m.
Monday night, there’s the standard bearer of ’80s easy listening, Michael McDonald, doing a holiday concert Monday at King Center, with some of his hits thrown in. McDonald started out in the early 1970s, singing backup for acts like Steely Dan, Christopher Cross and Kenny Loggins, then joined the great Doobie Brothers in 1976. He sang with them long enough to rack up enough hits to fill a good portion of the next two decades’ wedding playlists. He went solo 30 years ago but rejoined the Doobies for a country album last year. McDonald sings at 8 p.m.
If you haven’t had your annual weep at that achingly beautiful descent of the scale, there are still two shots at The Nutcracker’s Grand Pas de Deux. And no, it isn’t only me: Marius Petipa, the original choreographer, gave specific instructions to Tchaikovsky to write something with “colossal” effect to go with that crowning moment in the ballet. Wednesday, in Fort Pierce, the State Ballet Theatre of Russia appears live at the Sunrise Theatre. And after Christmas, there’s Miami City Ballet’s beautiful Balanchine version the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of next week.
In Vero, though, tears make way for finger snaps in the swing version set to the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, his long-time – and lesser known – collaborator. (Strayhorn was adored by Lena Horne, who considered him the love of her life and a strong influence on her music).
“Nutcracker in Swing time” was composed in 1960 (four years before Strayhorn contracted esophageal cancer, which caused his death in 1967). Tchaikovsky’s score was not its sole inspiration; the team included hints from Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suites” and Ellington’s Shakespeare-based album, “Such Sweet Thunder.”
Many choreographers have set dances to the work.
In Vero, “The Nutcracker – in Swingtime!” is choreographed by Adam Schnell, Riverside’s director of dance and Ballet Vero Beach’s founder and artistic director. Now in its sixth year, the all-kids cast has a blast with the jazz-fueled tunes.
Shows are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
At the Kravis Center in West Palm,
As for the grown-ups, Leon Russell – my kinda Santa – is playing Plaza Live in Orlando tonight. The ’70s Southern Rock band the Outlaws is playing there Saturday night.
Thinking ahead to the unthinkable – 2016 – there’s a potentially hangover-worthy New Year’s Eve party going on at the King Center, with the tribute band Classic Rock Live playing Beatles and Rolling Stones all night.
Obviously, though, with revelry being revelry, one might be wise to plan ahead (also unthinkable, for me at least).
For that the King Center offers a) free food and soda (woo-hoo) for designated drivers, and b) a package deal with local hotels (go to Brevardmusicgroup.com).
The party starts at 9 p.m. with a meet-and-greet with the band. The concert starts at 10 p.m.
Ticket prices are on the King Center website, and they include various deals; there’s one for $129 that gets you a ticket and all the house-brand drinks you can stand, plus a prophylactic protocol of heavy hors d’oeuvres.
There’s even a T-shirt as a “souvenir” – lest you forget why you’re waking up in Melbourne.
