‘First Night’ is magical, even virtually
Ring in and sing in 2021 with Greater Boston stage Aompany’s virtual production ‘Aarolyn saxon and Friends: singing in the New Year.’
It’s Christmas Eve, and that means the countdown to the New Year 2021, has already begun and gets serious today.
So, what are you doing on New Year’s Eve to ring out this no good, terrible, awfully bad year we’ve endured?
The traditional hoopla, noisemakers, dinner and champagne with friends won’t happen this year unless you live in a bubble with your pals and you all test negative.
Not to worry. There are virtual entertainment options to make you feel celebratory despite being stuck at home.
In case you missed it last year, you can check out Acting Out Production’s seven-camera recording of its superb production of Jack Neary’s “First Night.”
Featuring John Manning and Jocelyn Duford, it was recorded on Dec. 28, 2019, by videographer Alan McRae before a live audience at Firehouse Center for the Performing Arts in Newburyport. It will be streamed on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 31, starting at 8 p.m., with a bonus showing
Dec. 31 at 10 p.m., ending 15 minutes before the end of 2020.
“Unlike the Zoom shows we’ve all been watching, this one features the laughter and applause of humans actually in the theater having a wonderful time,” Lowell’s Neary says.
Set on New Year’s Eve 1985, Neary’s delightful two-hander is about Danny Fleming, a lik
able guy in his mid-30s. He’s about to close up his neighborhood video store for the night when into the shop pops a woman he believes he knew in grammar school. What he remembers most is that she went away to become a nun — so why is she here? And why does he care? And what does she want to rent? As the story unfolds, these and other questions are answered.
The production features stellar performances by Manning and Duford. The duo brought these delightful characters to life last year, pre-pandemic, to Actors Studio Theatre in Newburyport, Larcom Theatre in Beverly, Hatbox Theatre in Concord, N.H., Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell and Firehouse Center.
“If you’ve seen this production already, or any other performance of the show in 2019, please pass the word to others and enjoy it again yourself,” Neary says.
Tickets are a bargain at $10 per individual or $25 per family. Visit www.actingoutproduc-tions.com/first-night-by-jack-neary/?fbclid=IwAR39huauCOB-csPRk0GrMyltqXZJpNK-GwqZR7TWC7NXoiQA7h62F61u_PI for tickets.
In the wings
: A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS 2020: Some are already calling it the anthem for this year’s Christmas. And Mary Callanan, UMass Lowell graduate and Broadway veteran, is presenting its world premiere on YouTube. “At Least There’s Christmas” is a new song by Broadway conductor/pianist Caleb Hoyer that captures the range of emotions Americans are experiencing this year. His lyrics encourage all to take comfort in the simple joys of the holiday and draw strength from the light Christmas offers in this dark time. “The minute I heard the song, I knew that it summed up how I’ve been feeling about this Christmas and the year in general,” said Callanan, who debuted the song with her friend and accompanist, Brian Patton, two weeks ago on their weekly Tuesday evening Facebook cabaret show. Callanan, whose Broadway and national tour credits include “Annie,” “Bandstand,”
“Mamma Mia” and “My Fair Lady,” has known Hoyer since 2015, when they worked on the national tour of “The Bridges of Madison County.” To see Callanan and Patton perform the bittersweet tune, visit https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjvd7tdrM&feature=youtu.be .
: SING IN THE NEW: Ring in and sing in 2021 with Greater Boston Stage Company’s virtual production “Carolyn Saxon and Friends: Singing in the
New Year.” Saxon, with special guests Robert Saoud and Kathy St. George, will sing everyone’s favorite songs from the American songbook, Broadway and more. Directed by producing artistic director Weylin Symes and featuring music director Matthew Stern on piano, the 75-minute concert will ring in the new year with good spirits and cheer when it airs on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Favorite songs include “Old Devil Moon,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Happy Days are Here Again” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” among others.
“GBSC has a wonderful tradition
of bringing quality New Year’s Eve entertainment to audiences every year, and I was flattered to be asked to contribute to this tradition in a virtual way,” Saxon says. Tickets are $35 per individ
ual or $55 per group www.greaterbostonstage.org.
HOLIDAY GIFTS: Give a gift certificate for $50 for live theater at Merrimack Repertory Theatre and receive a free $10 voucher.
at
The offer is on through Dec. 27, in case you are looking for lastminute gifts. The deal is good for any show, forever. It can be applied to any ticket including subscriptions and does not expire.
Call 978-654-4678 or go online at h tt p : / /w w w. m r t . o r g / www.mrt.org/GiftCertificates.