(*) Photos by B.J. McKee for CHRISTMAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL by Scott McDowell, Overtime Theatre, San Antonio, December 13, 2013 - January 4, 2014

Photos by B.J. McKee for the

presentation of

CHRISTMAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL

a noir murder mystery

written by Scott McDowell and set in Christmas City, the home of the elves at the North Pole.

Richard David Anthony as Grayson Coal (photo: B.J. McKee)

opens on Friday the 13^th and runs through January 4^th

Overtime Theatre Center, 1203 Camden Street, San Antonio, 78215 - click for map

Liz Vermeulen as Kandy Kane, Richard David Anthony (photo: B.J. McKee)

Cast and Crew:

Grayson Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard David Anthony

Rudolph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Adair

Kandy Kane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz Vermuelen

Santa Claus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BK McKee

Mrs. Claus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sophie Bolles

Ghost of Christmas Present . . . . . . Bob McKinney

EVERYBODY ELSE . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Bankston, Chris Kelly,

Ashley Luebke, Shaun Ross, Angie Hernandez

Directed by……………………….Christopher Champlin

Stage Manager……………………Gina Schneider

Richard David Anthony, Sophia Bolles as Mrs. Claus (photo: B.J. McKee)

8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, plus one Sunday matinee at 2:30 on December 22. Thursday evening shows on December 26 and January 2nd.

Ticket Prices: $14 general admission, and $10 for teachers, students, seniors 65+, active military, and SATCO members. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theovertimetheater.org. E-mail: info@theovertimetheater.org Telephone: (210) 557-7562.

A SHEPERDELA'S STORIA, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, December 12 - 22, 2013

presents

La Pastorela 2013 -- a bilingual play: 

A Sheperdela's Storia 

(www.altateatro.org)

Directed by Patricio Villarreal Avila, Music by Kiko Villamizar
December 12-22nd Thursdays and Fridays: 8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays: 7 pm


Emma S. Barrientos, Mexican American Cultural Center, Black Box 600 River Street, Austin TX 78702 - click for map
 

COST: General admission $15, $10 children under 13

TICKETS: www.altateatro.com, www.eventbrite.com, and at the theater box office the day of the shows.

CONTACT: 512.537.ALTA (2582) info@altateatro.com www.altateatro.com

Running time 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission


As at every holiday season for the last 16 years, the Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) presents its production of the traditional Pastorela in the Black Box of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). This year, under the direction of Patricio Villarreal Avila, this old traditional Christmas Latino Pastorela brings to life contemporary characters from Austin's everyday life within a well known story. Gathering people from different origins, races, genders, ages and more, this theater play is an invitation to celebrate the holidays not only as part of the audience, but by participating in the Christmas festivity by accompanying these new shepherds on their way to their sought after destination.


The script for this Chicano tragicomedy, has been edited, enhanced and organized by Patricio Villarreal Ávila based on the original screenplay by Luis Valdes, and with contributions from local authors and artists including Thomas Salas, Marylou Castillo, Marita de la Torre, Kiko Villamizar, Christopher Edwards and Diego Villarreal. Under the artistic direction if Villareal and the musical direction of Kiko Villamizar, twelve enthusiastic actors will give life to this fun Christmas comedy, accompanied by live music and an original stage specially designed by renowned plastic and visual artist Claudia Montero from ArteStudio Austin.

Cast: Arcángel San Miguel: Diego Villarreal Ávila, Cucharón: Alessandro Sánchez, Gila: Ana Luisa Esperón Mudy, Bartola: Norma del Toro, Bato: Víctor Manuel Díaz-Sevilla, Parranda: Frida Isabelle Mack, Tebano: Saturnino Luis Zertuche, María: Eleana Ramírez, Ermitaño: Asdrúbal Gutiérrez,Luzbel: Mario Ramírez,Pecado: Erika Sánchez Zertuche, Astucia: Francisco Villamizar


The Pastorela is an interactive bilingual comedy for the whole family! The performances run from Thursdays through Sundays, beginning December 12 and ending on December 22.


General admission $15, $10 children under 13. Tickets for all shows are available through www.altateatro.com, www.eventbrite.com, or at the theater entrance.


<sub>ABOUT THE AUSTIN LATINO THEATER ALLIANCE (ALTA): The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) believes that the art of theater is a cultural force with the capacity to transform the lives of individuals and the community at large. ALTA’s work seeks to challenge the preconceptions of what is Latino theater, and become a source of inspiration and redemption that goes beyond activism and folklore. This commitment stems from a desire to bring Hispanic/Latin American plays and productions whose language, be it Spanish or English, speaks to the universal emotions and beliefs that transcend cultural, social and geopolitical barriers, and are rooted in the commonality of the human experience. With an intention of uniting and supporting Latino and Hispanic theater groups in Austin, the Austin

Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) was born in 1998. The organization has contributed to maintaining the tradition of La Pastorela, a traditional nativity play, while fostering the development of new talents in the theater arts, promoting collaborative productions among local and international artists, and bringing high-quality theater to Austin. For more information, visit www.altateatro.com</sub>

Bernadette Nason's 2013 Performances of A Christmas Carol by Dickens, December 4 in Spicewood, December 18 in Austin

Two Shows Only! One in Spicewood, One in Austin!

Bernadette Nason (via Facebook)

Charles Dickens'

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
presented by Bernadette Nason

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 7 p.m. at Spicewood Vineyards, 1419 Burnet County Road 409, Spicewood (spicewoodvineyard.com)
Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 7 p.m. (further details to be announced)
Award-winning actress/storyteller Bernadette Nason reprises her role as EVERYONE in this critically-acclaimed one-woman version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, bringing vivid life to more than 30 characters.
A Christmas Carol has retained its place as a Christmas classic for over 150 years. Charles Dickens streamlined A Christmas Carol to make it appropriate for his own readings. This version uses the text (almost entirely) from Charles Dickens' own abridged version of his tale.

 

"Now this is a one-woman show. And Nason does portray all the characters. But stating these facts doesn't fully connect to the statement that Nason is A Christmas Carol,: narrator, characters, beginning, middle, drama, humor, end, and all..." Austin Chronicle, December 2009

"We kid you not. This is the Carol to see." Austin Chronicle, December 2010

"This one-woman-show version of the Dickens classic, brought to you by Bernadette Nason at the City Theatre, will send shivers of goodness down your spine while it warms the cockles of your solstice heart. Recommended." Austin Chronicle, December 2011

"Bernadette (Nason) delivers Dickens' quick-moving vivid text with crisp assurance and deft, economical mime. No exaggerations or mugging here; a shift of the shoulders, a roughening of the voice, a glint in the eye and she creates Ebenezer Scrooge in our minds, not in pantomime on the stage. Hers is the opposite of a bravado performance. She invites us into the fable, sketches the characters, and articulates the text with precision and relish... They're all here -- skinflint Scrooge, meek Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's bounding nephew Fred, the two quite distinct old gentlemen soliciting charity, each of the Crachit children, three spirits of Christmas and a goodly crowd of others..." Austin Live Theatre, December 2010

"Bernadette Nason's one-woman show sees her take up the role of a master storyteller whose narration is very close to the soul of the original work...A Christmas Carol, has a number of characters with diverse personalities making it very difficult subject for a monologue. On the contrary, Nason actually manages to bring life to over 30 characters, and goes on to give each character a unique voice and facial expression..." Austin Post, December 2010

San Antonio Auditions for the Overtime's Christmas Spectacular, TONIGHT, November 11, 2013

AUDITIONS TONIGHT, November 11!!! The OVERTIME CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR wants you to come be part of our 'zany' Christmas show!!! Auditions are at 7 at the Overtime!! Be there!!!! (click for map)

www.theovertimetheater.org

THE DEFEAT OF GRANDFATHER DEVIL, adapted by Josefina Niggli, Trinity Street Players at First Baptist Church, Austin, December 7 and 8, 2013

Get ready for a charming and festive evening of holiday cheer based on Hispanic traditions with the pairing of Josefina Niggli’s amusing one-act play The Defeat of Grandfather Devil and a special Christmas concert featuring Ariel Ramirez’ Navidad Nuestra.

Showtimes are Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Austin located at 901 Trinity in downtown Austin.

Directed by FBC Minister of Music and Worship Louise Avant, The Sanctuary Choir and Chaski will present Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez’ Navidad Nuestra, a Christmas Cantata sung in Spanish centering on the story of the Nativity and performed in the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic America.

A folk drama, Navidad Nuestra, which translates “Our Christmas,” was created for mixed chorus and soloists with percussion, guitar and harp. Although the music will be sung in Spanish, there will be an English translation available for the listener.

The instrumentation will bring Ramirez’ work alive for the listener. Chaski is made up of Adrienne Inglis, flute specialist and Shana Norton, harp, plus percussion and guitars. Based in Austin, Chaski has performed together since 1985 and has toured the United States, Costa Rica, Venezuela, England and Scotland. They have five independently produced recordings including Chaski (1989), Pacha Mama (1991), El sariri (1995), Unay (2000) and Viracocha (2005). Chaski brings to its audiences classical, Celtic, and Latin American folk music featuring all kinds of flutes and harps.

The Defeat of Grandfather Devil is being produced by Trinity Street Players and is a traditional Pastorela translated and adapted by Josefina Niggli in the humorous tradition of the Twelfth-Century Spanish Shepherds' Play.

Theatre artist and director Jesus Pantel and producer Debra Watkins will help you celebrate the holiday season with a short play based on Los Pastores, which has been performed at Christmastime for centuries in Mexico and the southwestern United States.

With a laughable tone, the Spanish-themed play follows the travels of a group of herders as they journey to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Christ. Along the way, they face the harassment of the scheming “Grandfather Devil.”

Chaski will provide the delightful and festive music for The Defeat of Grandfather Devil.

All are invited to join the First Austin Sanctuary Choir, Chaski and Trinity Street Players for an evening of immersion into the Hispanic culture at Christmas. Admission is free and donations will be gratefully accepted. Feliz Navidad!

Auditions for Spanish-Language Christmas Play La Pastorela, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, October 21 and 23, 2013

Amigos y Amigas de Austin, 

Estamos buscando actores y actrizes de todos tamaños para que participen en la producción de La Pastorela 2013. Necesitamos niños y adultos con talento para preparar nuestra tradicional obra navideña que se exhibirá del 6 de diciembre al 22 de diciembre. Las audiciones seran el lunes 21 de octubre y miercoles 23 de octubre de las 6:30 p.m. a las 9 p.m. en el MACC (Mexican American Center for the Arts, 600 River St., Austin, TX 78701 (mapa aquí)). 

Si tu cantas, bailas o tocas algún instrumento ven preparado para enseñarnos tu talento. Este año sera una producción sensacional organizada por ALTA y dirigida por Patricio Villarreal. Esperamos verlos como parte del casting y equipo de ALTA esta navidad. Para mas información, favor de mandar un texto al 512-923-1448. 

Diego Villarreal Austin, TX (512) 923-1448 asestra@yahoo.com

Christmas Card for Tapestry Dance Company's Of Mice and Music, December 7 - 16

Of Mice and Music - A Jazz Nutcracker

December 7th - 16th

Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 7pm / Saturday and Sunday @ 2pm

Boyd Vance Theatre / The Carver Center

Tapestry's annual and criicaly acclaimed holiday celebration! A jazz, tap dance take on Tchaikovsky's classic with live music by Blue J and the best of Tapestry's professionals with a window into our academy best!

Upcoming: Coming Home for Christmas with Courtney Sanchez and Matt Wilson, Tex-Arts Cabaret Concerts, December 21 and 22

The TexARTS Cabaret Series will feature a starry line up of some of Austin's most dynamic voices in our intimate Kam and James Morris Theatre. Courtney Sanchez and Matt Wilson will kick off the series with the holiday-themed cabaret COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.

Known as one of Austin's top vocalists, Courtney Sanchez has made a name for herself as a solo artist, the female lead singer of the band The Atlantics and as an actress in countless Austin productions such as RENT, DREAMGIRLS and PORGY & BESS. Matt Wilson gained national exposure wowing sold-out audiences as the "Piano Man" in the First National Tour of the Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Tony-award winning musical "MOVIN' OUT." Matt returned to TexARTS after spending several years headlining our New Year's Eve Galas.

Joining Courtney and Matt will be a lineup of Austin favorites including: Dewy Brooks, Jacqui Cross (BEEHIVE), Tim Curry, Felicia Dinwiddie (RAGTIME), Paul Sanchez, Rod Sanford (RAGTIME) and Janis Stinson (HAIRSPRAY).

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS will run Dec. 21 - 22 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Single ticket prices are $30 & $45 for cocktail table seating. Drinks and refreshments are available. For tickets and information call the TexARTS Box Office at 512-852-9079 x101 or visit www.tex-arts.org.

Upcoming performances in the 2012-2013 TexARTS Cabaret Series will showcase powerhouse acts: The Studebakers (Feb. 22), Austin Haller and Kara Bliss (March 1-2), Rosie and the Ramblers, and Michelle Cheney (dates TBA).

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Upcoming: Holiday Dinner Theatre, Georgetown Palace, December 14 - 30

Holiday Magic in Manhattan

The first Palace benefit "Dinner Theater" to help grow our "Exceptional Needs" education program.

A wonderful dancing and singing extravaganza

directed and choreographed by "Broadway's Best" Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique with
Music direction by Lannes Hilbolt

Holiday Magic in Mahattan will be produced at 820 South Austin Ave, two doors down from the Palace Theatre!

Show Dates are December 14th - 16th, 20th - 23rd, and 26th - 30th.

The Palace introduces a brand new, exciting event for the holidays! Our very first dinner theater production, with three choices of dinner provided by the wonderful Wildfire Restaurant and an evening of singing and dancing and holiday magic.

There are two types of seating:
"Full Dinner" will include a 3 course dinner with a beverage for $45
"Dessert Seating" (only 16 seats available per performance) will include the show and dessert at intermission for $30

"Full Dinner" seating:

(all dinners are served with a house salad and dessert!)

• Three choices of dinner: New York Strip, Chicken Breast with Mascarpone and Spinach Cream Sauce, and Portabella Mushroom and Penne (Vegetarian) .
• The doors will open at 6:30pm with dinner service starting at 6:45pm and the show starting at 7:40.
• The dessert is served at intermission, with two choices of dessert: Lemon cake with whipped vanilla icing and Chocolate cake with whipped chocolate icing.

"Dessert" seating:

• Four rows of four seats without a table (Dessert seating is not available to the full dinner tables.)
• Seating will begin at 7:25pm with the show starting at 7:40.
• The dessert portion of the of the evening is served at intermission, with two choices: Lemon cake with whipped vanilla icing and Chocolate cake with whipped chocolate icing

For all questions please e-mail the Palace Production Office at gpalaceproductions@gmail.com, or to make reservations over the phone please call the production office at (512) 591-7825.

For more detailed information or to purchase tickets online, please visit our website at www.georgetownpalace.org.

The Georgetown Palace Theatre | 810 South Austin Avenue | Georgetown | TX | 78626

A 2012 Christmas Card from Transit Theatre Troupe, St. Edward's University

Posted by St. Ed's theatre folks on the Transit Theatre Troupe Facebook page, November 17:

Upcoming: Ebenezer's Journey, interactive theatre at Pioneer Farms, December 7 - 15

Ebenezer's Journey
An interactive theatrical experience

Enjoy a Christmas adventure at Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin, TX 78754

Bring the family to Pioneer Farms this holiday season for a most unusual event, “Ebenezer’s Journey”.

Watch the village come to life with vendors, carollers and colorful characters that step out of history. Then experience the classic Dickens tale, “A Christmas Carol”, like never before as our actors take you into the story with an interactive theatrical presentation staged in the old buildings of Pioneer Farms.

Bob Cratchitt, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future will come to life as you witness the joys the sorrows and the chills of the unforgettable experience. Of course, you have an important role to play as well… for you are Ebenezer Scrooge!

Come and be transformed and celebrate the true meaning of the season. Performances are December 7-8 and 14-15 beginning at 7:00 PM.   Departures every ten minutes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..


$12.00/person ages 2 and over
Info Phone: 512-837-1215

Tickets are on sale now. You can purchase them on line.

Pioneer Farms is located near Braker and Desau in Austin, Texas. See the map and get directions from your location.

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

(*) VIdeo Spot: It's A Wonderful Life, a radio play by Joe Landry, Classic Theatre, San Antonio, November 8, 9, 16, 17

Video spot (30 sec.) done by TWCMSP Productions for the Classic Theatre, San Antonio:

It's a Wonderful Life

A live radio play by Joe Landry

directed by Diane Malone

at the Sterling Houston Theater at Jump-Start, 108 Blue Star, in the Blue Star Arts Complex at the corner of S. Alamo and Probandt, San Antonio, Texas, 78204
November 8, 9, 16, 17 Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

All tickets are $25 for General Admission; $20 for Seniors (+65), SATCO, ATAC, MIL w/ID;special rate for Full time students with ID. For group rates please call 210-589-8450. For tickets call 1-800-838-3006 (There is no charge for using our ticket service!!) Or go to www.classictheatre.org and click on "Buy Tickets".

This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. An angel helps the despairingly frustrated George by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

Cast includes: Multiple roles played by Allan S. Ross, Terri Pena Ross, Alan Utley, Renee Garvens and Jack Burns
Live Sound Effects: Rick Malone, Felice Garcia

Upcoming: Ebeneezer's Journey, Pioneer Farms, December 9, 10, 16 and 17

Found on-line:

and

present

Ebeneezer's Journey

December 9, 10, 16, 17
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive (click for map)

Journeys depart every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; reservations and tickets via BrownPaperTickets.

A special interactive program based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, will recreate various scenes of Dickens' classic 1843 tale on four nights in December. As part of the "Ebenezer's Journey" show, visitors will see scenes from the holiday story acted out at our historic cites. Like Scrooge, they'll be able to journey back in time to see Christmasses past. In some cases, they'll also be able to participate in the scenes, as well.

Mark your calendars: Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17. The event will be held 7 to 10 p.m. nightly, rain or shine; groups of up to ten persons will start their journeys at 15-minute intervals . Tickets are just $12 a person. Reservations are required through BrownPaperTickets.com.

In addition to our interactive tour, there will also be crafts and other historical activities throughout the museum. Our 1890s general store will be stocked full to its windows with historical and educational gifts and toys available in Central Texas only at Pioneer Farms. Without a doubt, this is a special event your family will not want to miss! Come early, stay late and prepare to be amazed by the history and traditions of the holiday season!

Images of La Pastorela, Austin Latino Theatre Alliance, December 2 - 18

Found at www.lapastorela.org:

presented by ALTA, Austin Latino Theater Alliance --

La Pastorela, A Shepherd’s Story

is a contemporary musical comedy based on a traditional Yuletide play from Native-American and Latino communities
Thursdays through Saturdays, December 2nd through 18th at 8:00 p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, Texas.
Admission: $15 Adults, $8 Students/Seniors

The Austin Latino Theater Alliance (ALTA) proudly announces La Pastorela 2010, a traditional Yuletide play that has been performed in Native American/Latino communities since the late 16th century when Spanish priests first introduced it to the Native people of this land. Revered in the Christmas tradition aspect, as the Latino counterpart to The Nutcracker, La Pastorela is a family-friendly, musical comedy must see during this Holiday Season. The play follows a group of singing shepherds on their journey to Bethlehem. On their quest, they encounter obstacles in the form of worldly temptations put before them by crafty devils but try to resist as guardian angels fight to keep the shepherds on their path. This production holds strong roots in Austin's own Latino community as its inaugural run was performed at the original Mexican American Cultural Center building in 1997.

Click to view additional images of La Pastorela 2010 at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .