Seasonal celebrations may still officially be a few weeks out, but Bozemanites and those visiting have plenty of opportunities to get in the spirit early with holidayinspired stage events in and around the BoZone. Here’s a preview of some upcoming productions fit for the whole family!
The Ellen Theatre’s holiday spectacular, Annie, opens Friday, December 1st with thirteen performances through December 22nd. This heartwarming family show is an all-singing, all-dancing comedy featuring a live 16-piece orchestra playing some of the greatest musical theatre hits of all time, including “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “Maybe,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” and the anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Little orphan Annie will charm everyone’s hearts amidst the gloomy yet wondrous state of 1930s New York City. For tickets and further information, visit www.theellentheatre.com.
Over at Verge Theater, the family stage will transform into a well-lit, cozy home on the prairie with the return of the Ingalls family and their many antics in A Little House Christmas. Performances are set for Saturdays and Sundays, December 2nd–17th at 3pm each day. This James Devita script, based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, will help generate a spirit of giving and community to your family as you watch this delightful production. Also at the Verge, something a little more adult-oriented. The resident kooks are fine-tuning the funny toward all things laughable as they write skits and direct themselves in the 7th Annual Comedy Revue: Holidazed and Confused! Shows will take place Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from December 7th–16th at 8pm each evening. These hilarious hijinxers will redefine the holidays in ways only their twisted imaginations can, and give you a new outlook on your own holiday myths, dreams, and fantasies. Give yourselves the gift of holiday laughs! Tickets for A Little House Christmas and Holidazed and Confused, as well as further details can be found at www.vergetheater. com.
The Shane Lalani Center for the Arts will host its 10th annual holiday variety show, Holiday Vaudeville X!, weekends from December 8th–17th. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, followed by Sunday matinees at 3pm. Get ready for a high-energy romp through the cherished chestnuts of the season. Of the Shane’s most popular events, they’ve assembled another intrepid squad of community performers ranging from the sublime to the spastic who will amaze, amuse, and mystify with songs, skits, and vigorous acts of vaudevillian virtuosity — all served up with a heaping helping of heart. It’s fun for the whole family, and virtually guaranteed to get you in the spirit! Reservations are available at www.theshanecenter.org.
Yellowstone Ballet Company (YBC) presents its 27th annual staging of The Nutcracker, Saturday, December 9th at 4pm, and Sunday, December 10th at 4pm. Both performances will be presented at Sleeping Giant Middle School in Livingston. Audiences will delight in the beloved story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince with additional choreography by Nikita Kusurgashev, former Bolshoi Ballet soloist. Tickets and more information can be found at www.yellowstoneballet.info.
Finally, Bozeman Symphony’s A Brasstacular Christmas: The Return! will unfold at Willson Auditorium on Saturday, December 9th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 10th at 2:30pm. Each new and humorous Christmas extravaganza will feature the teaming of Maestro Matthew Savery and trumpeter extraordinaire Ryan Anthony. Highlights will include the likes of “Trumpet Voluntary,” “The Christmas Song,” “Deck the Horn,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” selections from The Polar Express, and much, much more. Advance tickets are available at www.bozemansymphony.org. Further information about these and other festive events can be found throughout this issue of The BoZone. Happy holidays! •
