What's Happening: Gainesville's 10-day entertainment forecast for Dec. 3-12, 2021

DEC. 3-19

“THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES”: Are you looking for something different for Christmas this year? Well, this is the show for you: eight reindeer dishing about the real Santa. All those rumors you've heard about him and the elves? About Rudolph's little secret? About Vixen's story that was leaked to the press? All true. Yes, the reindeer finally speak up and — believe us — they do not hold back! Not recommended for younger audiences under the age of 15. This production includes sexual assault language, adult language and suggested adult themes. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 19 at the Actors' Warehouse, 2512 NE First Blvd. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. For more information, visit actorswarehouse.org/coming-soon.

DEC. 3-19

“GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES”: The newest production from Acrosstown Repertory Theater is not your typical love story. In “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” written by Rajiv Joseph, Doug and Kayleen meet at the nurse’s office in their elementary school; she’s got a painful stomach ache, and he’s banged up from a running dive off of the school’s roof. Over the next 30 years, these scar-crossed lovers meet again and again, brought together by injury, heartbreak and their own self-destructive tendencies. “Gruesome Playground Injuries” runs until Dec. 19. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays at the Acrosstown Repertory Theater, 619 S. Main St., in the historic Baird Center across from Heartwood Soundstage and next door to Akira Wood. Tickets are $20 for the general public with a $5 discount for seniors (55-plus), students, teachers, first responders, veterans and active military, and may be purchased online at bit.ly/playgroundinj21. A limited number of tickets may also be available at the door 30 minutes before showtime.

DEC. 9-11

POINSETTIA SALE: Find the perfect holiday poinsettia during the annual UF Poinsettia Show and Sale. This year’s event includes a special appointment-only greenhouse shopping day beginning at 8 a.m. Dec. 9. Attendees must have an appointment to enter the greenhouse on this date. There is a limit of five people per group. Register for a time slot at gatorpoinsettia.com. Open-house shopping will resume from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 10-11 at the Greenhouse behind Fifield Hall, located at 2475 Memorial Road. Masks are highly encouraged. The annual event is the largest student-run sale in the country, with this year featuring more than 4,000 plants and more than 40 varieties. Funds help fund the UF Environmental Horticulture Club and its international trip. Last year, the club was able to take a trip to the Keys to learn about South Florida’s ornamental horticulture industry. This year, members are planning to visit Italy. According to club vice president Michael Hutchinson, the purpose of the trip is to educate members and to provide experiences for career and personal development. This unique opportunity allows members to become well-rounded and enhance their cultural and professional diversity. For more information about the sale, visit gatorpoinsettia.com.

DEC. 10-30

2021 POLAR EXPRESS AT DUDLEY FARMS: Delve into the magic of Christmas with the 2021 Polar Express at Dudley Farms. This year’s Polar Express theme is “Believe – Experience – Dream,” and the event will be held at Dudley Farms State Park from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10-11, Dec. 17-18, and Dec. 29-30. Dudley Farms State Park is located at 18730 W. Newberry Road in Newberry. “The Polar Express,” a popular book by Chris Van Allsburg, takes its audience on a magical train ride on Christmas Eve, taking a young boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. This local presentation is coordinated by Bob Watson and Lynn Reeves, and includes visits with Santa and complementary hot cocoa and cookies. State park entrance fees are $5 per carload. Donations are encouraged to defray costs and support this all-volunteer effort. Dudley Farms will be closed during the event. For more information about Polar Express, call Watson at 262-5068 or Reeves at 386-365-2137.

DEC. 11

GAINESVILLE’S HOLIDAY HOME TOUR: Gainesville’s cherished holiday event is back! Attendees will be able to tour four historic Victorian homes in Gainesville’s Historic Bed and Breakfast District — 1867 Matheson House (528 SE First Ave.), Sweetwater Branch Inn (625 E. University Ave.), Laurel Oak Inn (221 SE Seventh St.), and Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast (309 SE Seventh St.) — plus the Matheson History Museum and its Tison Tool Barn on Dec. 11. The 1867 Matheson House was constructed in 1867 by James and Augusta Matheson. Sweetwater Branch Inn has several structures, including The McKenzie House, constructed in 1895, and the Cushman-Colson house, constructed in 1885 by the Cushman family. Laurel Oak Inn was constructed in 1885 by Wilburn and Fanny Lassiter. Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast was constructed in 1885 by Dudley and Melinza Williams and owned by the Emmet Baird family for 70 years. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at bit.ly/homes21a. Proceeds will benefit the Matheson History Museum. The walking tour is less than a mile and begins at the Matheson at 5 p.m. Guests will enjoy their holiday adventure in small groups led by guides. Refreshments such as spiced cider and holiday cookies will be provided at the Matheson. Parking is available at the Matheson, next door at the law offices of Folds and Walker, and the Alachua County Public Schools District Offices.

DEC.11-12

THE YEARLING MOVIE CELEBRATES 75 YEARS: December 2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the premiere of MGM’s “The Yearling” motion picture. Based on Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that has since become an American classic, the motion picture was a critical and popular success. The story of a boy’s coming of age in the Florida wilderness in the post-Civil War period, the motion picture starred Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman Jr. as the boy Jody. “The Yearling” received seven Oscar nominations and won two. Jarman won a special juvenile Oscar. To celebrate this anniversary, the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm Inc. is planning a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Jarman will be the event’s special guest at the Dancing Cows Ranch in Cross Creek, 14707 S. CR 325, from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. “The Yearling” memorabilia and decorations will be on display, and Florida refreshments will be served. A preview of a presentation on Florida memories of the filming of “The Yearling” will be presented. This presentation will include portions of interviews of local participants in the filming and their relatives. Registration for the reception is through the Friends’ website at marjoriekinnanrawlings.org. The cost is $30 for members of the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm Inc., and $35 for non-members. “The Yearling” film will be shown Dec. 12 at the Marion Theatre in Ocala. This 1946 Technicolor movie will be shown most appropriately on the big screen in a 1940s theater. Jarman will be interviewed on stage following the movie. Much of “The Yearling” was filmed in the Florida scrub in what is now called the Ocala National Forest. Among the memories that Jarman will share are those of the Florida filming. Jarman’s recent autobiography, “My Life and the Final Days of Hollywood,” will be on sale ($25, cash or check only) and available for signing at the event. “The Yearling” will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tickets — $15 for adults, $10 ages 11 and younger — can be purchased at mariontheatre.org. Proceeds from both events will benefit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Park.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville's 10-day entertainment forecast for Dec. 3-12, 2021