Stage Notes is a weekly aggregate post about theater, classical music and stage news, events, reviews and other pertinent information.
Stage Notes Calendar
Opening this week:
Broadway at the Center: Dear Evan Hansen, today-Dec. 21 at the Winspear, pictured.
Sammons Cabaret: Making Spirits Bright, 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Ballet North Texas: The Nutcracker, Friday-Sunday at Moody Performance Hall.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra: Elf in Concert, Friday-Sunday at the Meyerson.
Repertory Company Theatre: A Christmas Carol the Musical, Friday-Sunday at the Courtyard Theater.
Oak Lawn Band: Pride and Joy: A Festive Concert, 4 p.m. Saturday at Latino Cultural Center.
Plano Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Robinson Fine Arts Center.
Broadway Dallas: Peter Pan, Wednesday-Jan. 4.
MusicalWriters.com Productions: Getting Through April, Dec. 29-Jan. 5.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra: New Year’s Eve, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31.
Pocket Sandwich Theatre: Diamonds are for Murder, Dec. 31.
WaterTower Theatre: The Play That Goes Wrong, Dec. 31-Jan. 12.
NTPA Repertory: Chicago, Jan. 2-5.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: Dvořák’s New World and Mozart’s 40th, Jan 3-5.
Pocket Sandwich Theatre: Camp Death, Jan. 3-Feb. 15.
Onstage now:
Art Centre Theatre: Who Killed Rudolph ?!? Murder Mystery, through Saturday.
Lakeside Community Theatre: Ashes of Aquitane, through Saturday.
Bishop Arts Theatre: Black Nativity, through Sunday.
Firehouse Theatre: Annie, through Sunday.
Garland Civic Theatre: Little Women the Musical, through Sunday.
Lewisville Playhouse: Forever Plaid, through Sunday.
Lyric Stage: Plaid Tidings, through Sunday at Lyric Stage Studios.
Mesquite Arts Theatre: A Christmas Carol, through Sunday.
Richardson Theatre Centre: A Rockabilly Christmas Radio Play, through Sunday.
Stage West: The Play that Goes Wrong, through Sunday.
Theatre Arlington: Holiday Inn, through Sunday.
Theatre Coppell: A Christmas Carol, through Sunday.
Theatre off the Square: A Twisted Christmas Carol, through Sunday.
Pocket Sandwich Theatre: Ebenezer Scrooge, through Monday.
Dallas Theater Center: A Christmas Carol, through Dec. 28.
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker, through Dec. 29 at Bass Hall.
Theatre Three: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, through Dec. 29, pictured.
Shakespeare Dallas announces winter cast and creative team for Measure for Measure
Shakespeare Dallas will present the play directed by Jenni Stewart at Theatre Three which opens Jan. 8-26. The production marks Shakespeare Dallas’ first indoor winter production since 2020. Considered one of Shakespeare’s “tragicomedies,” Measure for Measure follows a Duke providing divine intervention as Vienna is beset with brothels and loose morality.
The cast of Measure for Measure includes Ethan Norris as Duke, Brandon Whitlock as Father Thomas, Adrian Godinez as Escalus, Carson Wright as Angelo, T.A. Taylor as First Gentleman, Elbow, and Bernardine, Adrian Godinez as Second Gentleman and Abhorson, Omar Padilla as Lucio and Prisoner, Nicole Berastequi as Mistress Overdone, Mother Superior, Provost, and Juliet, Brandon Whitlock as Pompey, Caitlin Chapa as Deputy Justice, Francisca, and Mariana, Doak Rapp as Claudio, Froth, and Ragozine, and Mikaela Baker as Isabella and Kate Keepdown.
The design and production team includes Jenni Stewart as Director, Korey Kent as Scenographer/Costume Designer, Jeffrey Schmidt, Aaron Johansen as Lighting Designer, Kellen Voss as Sound Designer, Zareen Afzaal as Props Designer, Nathan Autrey as Intimacy Director, Cherish L. Robinson as Music Director/Composter, Claire Boschert as Stage Manager, Emilie Johns as Assistant Stage Manage, Nick Lafleur as Wardrobe Supervisor, and James Stroman as House Manager.
Tickets are available here .
Review: This year’s ‘Christmas Carol’ at DTC hits all the right notes for holiday feels
I told myself, save for any unique offerings, I’d refrain from reviewing holiday shows. Because really, audiences go to these shows not for the reviews, but to add to the holiday spirit of joy. And yet somehow, I found myself at my fourth Christmas play on Saturday and probably the most traditional of them all.
Dallas Theater Center opened its annual production of A Christmas Carol on Nov. 29 at the Wyly Theater. Adapted by DTC Executive Director Kevin Moriarty and directed by Alex Organ with music direction by Cody Dry, this year’s version hit different. And personally, I’m glad I made it out.
This year’s production, set on Christmas Eve and Day in late 1800s London, followed in the steampunk, industrial steps of previous productions with Beowulf Boritt’s incredible set design that hissed with steam and began the first half of the show with a dreary sheen that set the Scroogey-tone. His set was its own character. Jeff Croiter’s lighting was magical with its twinkling lights and layered effects on the stage, but also I was gagged by how he played with darkness this time brought a menacing darkness to Scrooge’s overnight journey.
Bob Hess delivered a very human Ebenezer Scrooge. Hess’ portrayal wasn’t overly villainous, but instead showed an old man who was troubled, unlikable and hella grumpy. Although he was a jerk to his employees and crabby about Christmas, Hess showed Scrooge’s humanity with minutiae nuance that made him, gasp, almost relatable. Hess was charmingly convincing as a reformed man who was flooded with joy for the first time in a long time after his night reflection and revelation.
As Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (and other pairings), Randy Pearlman and Liz Mikel were the dynamic duo I never knew I needed. The colorful performances by both brought a ebullient energy to their scenes and the chemistry between the two was singular. Sally Nystuen Vahle was literally haunting as Marley’s ghost. Her physical rendition of the chained ghost was stirring and gloriously spooky. As Scrooge’s optimistic nephew Fred, Zachary J. Willis was effortlessly charming and as Bob Cratchit, Ivan Jasso’s performance was warm and endearing.
The show’s vintage vibe was enhanced by Dry’s musical direction. Roving musicians and band members were weaved into the cast and onstage. This created a dynamic soundscape that brought powerful moments and softer, more intimate interludes. Dry’s direction also challenged the cast vocally, as the musical numbers delivered an authentic Christmas experience filled with warmth, joy and heartfelt emotion.
DTC’s A Christmas Carol this year is a must-see for the season. The show’s components seamlessly combined to create a touching, emotional and entertaining experience that far exceeds any Hallmark movie. I mean, those are fun too, but get the proper holiday vibes at DTC this year while you can.
The show runs through Dec. 28.
Happy holidays!
Stage Notes will return in January. All December (and the first week of January) openings have been included in today’s calendar. Thanks so much for reading!
–Rich Lopez