Streaming tutus, online tales will boost our holiday spirits
Whoa! Faster than you can say “visions of sugar plums danced in their heads,” the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theaters earlier this year and now has upended the holiday arts season. Digital Scrooges, Nutcrackers and George Baileys will be the stars of our seasonal entertainment this year. Here are some of the top virtual holiday productions headed our way.
“A Christmas Carol on Air”
American Conservatory Theater, which has been serving up the Dickens classic for 44 years, is presenting a radio play version this year. The production features the same adaptation of the Dickens story by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff and most of the same cast, including James L. Carpenter as Ebenezer Scrooge. There will be live “listening parties” Dec. 4 and 23, and certain ticket packages include a book full of activities and games for the family. And — bless us, every one — Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream will be selling a “Christmas Carol”-themed concoction through December inspired by Victoria Sponge, the classic British dessert. Dec. 4-31; $40-$60 per family; act-sf.org.
“A Christmas Carol”
Manuel Cinema's streaming version of the tale has less to do with tradition and everything to do with theatrical ingenuity. The Emmy Award-winning troupe combines shadow puppetry, film, sound effects and theater in its productions and will present the world premiere of a pandemic-themed streaming “Christmas Carol” Dec. 17-19. Accessible via Cal Performances at Home — calperformances.org — for $15-$60, and Stanford Live — live.stanford.edu — which is free for members (a Stanford Live membership is $100).
“Great Russian Nutcracker”
“The Nutcracker” ballet is a staple of the holiday arts scene, and its absence from the live stage this year is hurting dance companies and fans alike. But Moscow Ballet's opulent annual touring production will be available as a virtual show streaming Dec. 19-Jan.
1. And Oakland Ballet is planning an “At Home Nutcracker” on Dec. 20. Find details about the Moscow Ballet ($25 to $70) at www.nutcracker.com, and Oakland Ballet at oaklandballet.org.
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Concert The award-winning chorus' annual holiday show may be going virtual, but it should still be as uplifting as ever, with a concert delivered on Zoom featuring songs that artistic director Terrance Kelly believes have the power to bring people together. The Dec. 5 event includes a “backstage” performance by Kelly at 6 p.m. and choir concert at 7 p.m.; $25-$75; www. oigc.org/oigc35.
“Three Decembers”
Opera San Jose is presenting a newly filmed and fully staged production of Jake Heggie's chamber opera “Three Decembers,” with a libretto by Gene Scheer adapted from the Terrence Mcnally play “Some Christmas Letters.” The cast includes star mezzosoprano Susan Graham and Opera San Jose resident artists Maya Kherani and Efrain Solis in the story about a famous actress and her two adult children and the family secrets consuming all three. The production, filmed in OSJ'S Fred Heiman Digital Media Studio, is available to stream beginning 10 a.m. Dec. 3. $40 per household, $50 includes access to an OSJ virtual gala (Dec. 3 only); operasj.org.
“Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical”: Theatreworks Silicon Valley staged the world premiere of Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon's adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel as its holiday show last year. The production, a hit with critics and at the box office, is now available for streaming on Amazon. Free for Amazon Prime members; available for rent or purchase $3-$20.
“It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play on Zoom” Contra Costa Civic Theatre's annual adaptation of the iconic Frank Capra movie about love, loyalty and redemption for the holidays gets the streaming treatment. Nov. 27-Dec. 20; ticket packages $20-$50, Zuzu's Petals not included; ccct.org.
Chanticleer’s Christmas Salon
The Bay Area men's chorus is known for, among other things, its legendary holiday concerts. On tap this year is an intimate Christmas “Salon” performance at San Francisco's Trinity St. Peter's Episcopal Church to be streamed Dec. 11 ($100). Other virtual concerts are planned for Oakland (Dec. 12), San Francisco again (Dec. 13) and Sacramento (Dec. 15); www.chanticleer.org.
New Year’s Eve at Home
If you are already thinking about what you'll be streaming on the last evening of this most unforgettable year, we salute you. Here's an option: Cal Performances at Home is offering a New Year's special show with artists and performers featured in the company's 202021 season at 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Tickets are $15$98. Find details at calperformances.org.