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Edward Speck and Emily Wisell in "The Nutbuster" at Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport. |
EXTRA
Beverly: North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, launches the holiday season with the Holiday Illumination, Nov. 30, 4-7 p.m. Festivities at this free event include a tree-lighting ceremony, holiday foods, hands-on holiday crafts, appearances by cast members of "A Christmas Carol," a sing-a-long caroling led by the theater's Youth Performance Choir, and readings of "A Christmas Carol" featuring Jon Kimbell and members of the cast. Overtures restaurant will open at 5:30 p.m. and serve a specially priced, family friendly menu. The theater is accepting unopened, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 2 through 12 for Tiny Tim's Toy Drive, to be donated to Beverly Children's Learning Center, Beverly Bootstraps, and Headstart of Peabody. 978-232-7200, nsmt.org.
Winthrop: Ring in the holiday season tomorrow in Winthrop Center. This holiday celebration, 3-5 p.m., features free photos with Santa Claus at French Square, horse-drawn hayrides ($3, children $2), and ongoing entertainment on the Main Stage. Meet favorite characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Snow White, and other Disney friends, as well as Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Watch ice sculptors create Cinderella's castle. The traditional Kids Hat Contest at 4 p.m. will award prizes for the most festive, funniest, and most original. The children's dance competition is at 4:30 p.m. Santa arrives by fire engine, followed by the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. winthropchamber.com, 617-846-9898.
MUSIC
Gloucester: Cape Ann Symphony's annual Holiday Pops concert, Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., features gospel vocalist Renese King. The symphony performs holiday favorites during this festive evening of music. Held at Fuller Auditorium, Blackburn Circle/Route 128. $25, children younger than 18 free. 978-281-0543, capeannsymphony.org
Melrose: Polymnia Choral Society presents "Messe de Minuit pour Noel" (Midnight Mass for Christmas ) by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 121 West Foster St. Other works will include "There is Sweet Music Here" by Stephen Chatman, featuring oboist Jennifer Slowik and "Three Madrigals" by Emma Lou Diemer. The evening concludes with a holiday carol sing-a-long. $15 ($18 at the door), students and seniors $13, ages 12 and younger $5. Advance tickets at Sweet Thoughts, 504 Main St.; the Melrose Drug Center, 462 Main St.; and 781-665-5857.
Newburyport: The Candlelight Chorale and Chamber Ensemble will herald the holiday season with its annual performance of Messiah, Parts I, II, and III, with Joel Cohen of Boston Camerata conducting, Sunday at 7 p.m. at The First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St. Featured soloists are Anne Azema, soprano (from Amesbury); Francesca Schopick, mezzo soprano; Neal Ferreira, tenor (from Newburyport); and Graham Wright, baritone. They will be accompanied by a string ensemble, trumpet, and harpsichord. The audience will sing the choruses (bring your own score or use one provided) accompanied by Robert Littlefield on the 1834 Joseph Alley pipe organ. A $10 donation (students are free) will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will benefit the music programs of the church. Free parking is available in the municipal lot behind the church. 978-465-0602, frsuu.org.
THEATER
Newburyport: Firehouse Center for the Arts, 1 Market Square, opens its season of holiday performances with an original production, "The Nutbuster" by Exit Dance Theatre, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. In this untraditional version of "The Nutcracker," the Nutcracker is a lifeguard, his buddies are surfers, and dance segments are reconceived with a modern, jazzy, and comedic touch. $16, seniors $13, students $10. 978-462-7336, firehouse.org.
Durham, N.H.: University of New Hampshire Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Midwives," an intimate and intense story exploring the personal costs paid when our choices profoundly affect the welfare of others. A postshow discussion with Vermont playwright Dana Yeaton will follow the Nov. 28 performance. Performances Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. in Hennessy Theatre in Paul Creative Arts Center, 30 College Road, UNH Durham campus. $12.50, seniors and groups of 15 or more $10.50. 603-862-2290, unhmub.com/ticket. Box office opens one hour before the show. Information, 603-862-2919, unh.edu/theatre-dance.
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