See your favorite holiday shows this season in the Valley
Usher in the holiday season with your favorite Christmas stories brought to life on stage.
'A Christmas Carol' returns to American Shakespeare Center
American Shakespeare Center's beloved holiday tradition "A Christmas Carol" returns to the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton Dec. 1-30.
Every performance begins with a rousing singalong of holiday tunes led by the cast, and then immerses the audience in Charles Dickens’ tale of transformation and joy, as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future take miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on the ride of his miserable, money-grubbing life. Tickets for this holidayfavorite sell out early, so fans are encouraged to make their plans now.
Tickets are available online at americanshakespearecenter.com or by calling 1-877-MUCH-ADO (1-877-682-4236).
Featuring many returning actors from ASC's recent Fall troupe, this production also marks the return of Ronald Román-Meléndez as Scrooge, Nic Sanchez as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Chris Bellinger as Marley.
As the American Shakespeare Center players tell the tale of stingy Scrooge onstage this December, the Blackfriars Playhouse lobby will be a place of giving and good will through ASC’s Project Goodfellow. Initiated in 2018 by American Shakespeare Center cast member Constance Swain, ASC’s Project Goodfellow partners with local organizations in the spirit of giving and gratitude.
This season, Project Goodfellow supports Valley Mission and, from Dec. 2-30, the ASC will collect coats and much needed winter accessories. Bins will be in the lobby of the playhouse and patrons are encouraged to bring their donations when they come to see the show.
ShenanArts presents 'Miracle on 34th Street, a Play'
ShenanArts presents "Miracle on 34th Street a Play". This live theatre production is based on the beloved Twentieth Century Fox motion picture of the same name. Set in the 1940's this family friendly holiday classic is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Under the direction of Anne Taetzsch Fitzgerald the holiday spirit is on full display. "This time of year is filled with hope and joy. There is so much promise and so much cheer. We are delighted to bring a little bit of holiday magic to our community," said Fitzgerald.
We meet Kris Kringle (David Lusk), an old man in a retirement home who get s a job working for Doris Walker (Cathy Marsh) as Santa for Macy's. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy's customers and the commercial word of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy's vocational counselor (Buddy Garrison), who plots to have Kris taken to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris end up in a court competency hearing. He is defended by Fred Gayley (Jonathan Erdman) who hopes to convince Judge Harper (James Sargent) and the rest of New York that Kris is Indeed Santa Clause. Especially at stake is one little girl's (Slone Franklin) belief in Santa.
Performances are Dec. 2-4 and 9-11. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12-$19 and are available online at shenanarts.org or by calling 1-540-712-0001. ShenanArts is located at The Hilltop, 300 Churchville Ave., Staunton.
Gerald Charles Dickens' performance of 'A Christmas Carol' at Wayne Theatre
Starts Monday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m.
All tickets: $28. To order by phone, call the Box Office at 1-540-943-9999 or purchase online at Wayne Theatre.
Gerald Dickens is a great great grandson of the author Charles Dickens. He has worked as an actor, director and producer for many years.
In 1993, he created his first one-man show, a theatrical performance of "A Christmas Carol," inspired by Charles’ own energetic readings of the 1860s.
A fascination with the life and works of his subject led him to write and direct further one-man shows including "Mr. Dickens is Coming!," "Nicholas Nickleby" and "Sketches by Boz." He regularly performs in major theaters and arts centers as well as at hotels and stately homes. He has appeared at several arts and literary festivals in the UK and has been entertaining cruise ship passengers worldwide since 2007.
In 2012, as part of the Charles Dickens bicentennial celebrations, Gerald met the Queen of England during a special reception at Buckingham Palace.
Gerald enjoys introducing the works of Charles Dickens to children and young adults, and has taken workshops and performances into schools, colleges and universities both in the UK and the USA. He has recorded his one-man dramatization of "A Christmas Carol" and it has been regularly broadcast on radio. His television work has included various appearances on features and documentaries for BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center is located at 521 W. Main St. in Waynesboro. For more information, call 1-540-943-9999.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Christmas holiday theater shows in the Shenandoah Valley
