Monday, November 12, 2018

Christmas Theatrical Productions in CT


The festive season is just about upon us and many Connecticut theaters are readying their seasonal offerings.  I count 14 holiday productions for all ages.  Below is a list of what is in store for area audiences.

The Christmas Elf 2
Downtown Cabaret – Bridgeport, CT
November 10 – December 29

It’s that time of year again for Santa to call on everyone’s favorite elves and their toy friends to bring holiday joy to boys and girls all over the world, but this Christmas is about more than presents and carols. With new adventures and new challenges, our hero must enlist all the help he can get to save Christmas for everyone.
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Elf
Curtain Call (Kweskin Theatre) - Stamford, CT
November 16 - December 15

AND

Landmark Community Theatre (Thomaston Opera House) – Thomaston, CT
December 1 - December 16
Buddy believes he is an elf. When he discovers that he is actually a human being who accidentally crawled into Santa's bag of gifts many years ago, he sets out on a quest to discover who he really is. But to Buddy's dismay, his father is on the naughty list and his brother doesn't even believe in Santa. A hilarious comedy based on the multi-million dollar film of the same name. Buddy's positivity and uncanny ability to inspire the Christmas spirit in even the naughtiest of people, is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. 
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A Christmas Carol
Hartford Stage – Hartford, CT
https://www.hartfordstage.org/christmas-carol
November 23 – December 29

The magic of Charles Dickens’ heart-warming classic returns for its 21st season. Come see Connecticut’s favorite family holiday tradition and spend some time with Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they bring A Christmas Carol to life on stage.
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Christmas on the Rocks
Theaterworks – Hartford, CT
November 27 – December 23

It’s Christmas Eve in a rundown local bar. Expecting a silent night, the bartender finds himself mixing drinks for a parade of surprising guests – children from your favorite Christmas specials and movies – now all grown up. Join them as they pour out their Christmas woes in this delightful parody.
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A Merry Mulberry Street Musical
Curtain Call (The Dressing Room Theatre) - Stamford, CT
November 29 - December 16

For more than 75 years, audiences have laughed along with Stamford’s most-produced romantic comedy, Mulberry Street. Join the Morello and Baccolini families during the 1944 holiday season and watch what happens while the boys are overseas and an outcast sister-in-law comes back into their lives! 

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Glitz: The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical
Pantochino Productions - West Haven, CT
November 30 - December 22

Everything’s coming up tinsel, toddlers and tiaras in this ridiculously funny holiday musical where ten girls (with big hair), and their outlandish mothers (with big mouths) vie for the title and crown. But its the Christmas spirit that is the true winner in this heartwarming holiday classic. 

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A Christmas Story
Sherman Players - Sherman, CT
November 30 - December 22

AND

Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut (Bradley Playhouse) - Putnam, CT  
November 30 - December 16

Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest of the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas.

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A Christmas Carol (The Musical)
Center Stage - Shelton, CT
November 30 - December 16

This Dickens classic has become a Center Stage tradition. With soaring music by Disney musical genius, composer Alan Menken, A Christmas Carol infuses the holiday blockbuster with music that will touch you, inspire you, and fill you with the spirit of Christmas!

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A Connecticut Christmas Carol
Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theater – Chester, CT
November 30 – December 30

Some of the most beloved storytellers in Connecticut history come alive for a yuletide gathering you won’t forget. Famed actor and local legend William Gillette leaves his castle on the Connecticut River to adapt Dickens’ holiday classic. Local heroes Mark Twain, P.T. Barnum and more make spirited appearances opposite Gillette’s Scrooge in a highly theatrical twist on a family favorite.
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A Civil War Christmas
Connecticut Repertory Theatre – Storrs, CT
November 29 – December 9

Christmas, 1864. With the nation at war, it is not a silent night. All is not peaceful or bright. On one side of the Potomac, an escaped slave hurries her daughter toward the capital and freedom. On the other side, a young Confederate runs away from home with hopes of joining the fight. In the capital, Mrs. Lincoln is in desperate need of the perfect gift for her husband Abe. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel creates a historical and musical masterpiece in “A Civil War Christmas,” one that is uniquely American. In the shadow of our own partisan divide, can the nation put aside its differences and share in the hope and generosity the Christmas season has to offer, and the promise of Christmas future?
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A Charlie Brown Christmas
Wilton Playshop - Wilton, CT
December 7 - 9 

AND

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Warner Theatre – Torrington, CT
December 8 – 16
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but this proves to be a frustrating endeavor. When his attempt to restore the proper holiday spirit with a forlorn little Christmas tree fails, Linus helps him learn the true meaning of Christmas.
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Christmas Eve At Earlene’s Diner
Seven Angels Theatre – Waterbury, CT
December 7 -19
What’s new at The Diner this Christmas?
Does anyone eat the fruitcake? Does the Crispy Biscuit put The Diner out of business?
Who’s really in Earlene’s family tree? Come and find out!
Music, humor and fun weave throughout this Holiday tale for the entire family. Michelle Gotay returns as her delightful character Earlene Babcock along with a fantastic local cast. Plenty of Christmas spirit and many of your favorite holiday songs will fill your hearts with cheer.
Be on the look out for Santa in our the lobby after the show for holiday photos!
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Coney Island Christmas
Ivoryton Playhouse – Ivoryton, CT
December 13 – 29

CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS introduces us to Shirley Abramowitz, a young Jewish girl who (much to her immigrant parents’ exasperation) is cast as Jesus in the school’s Christmas pageant. As Shirley, now much older, recounts the memorable story to her great-granddaughter, the play captures a timeless and universal tale of what it means to be an American during the holidays.

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