Sunday, November 25, 2007
A+E, Theater
Keep on giving
Get into the holiday spirit at local theaters
Abby Parker, Allen O’Reilly, Erin Considine and Holly Stevenson in “Christmas at Sweet Apple” at Theatre in the Square
CREDIT: MJ Conboy
By Jon Ross
Traditional yuletide symbols tend to dominate the holiday theater landscape. Ubiquitous productions—like a certain perennial favorite penned by Charles Dickens or a famous ballet—are filled with themes of peace on earth, goodwill toward men and all that other stuff.
But what about Dianetics, cultish religions and L. Ron Hubbard? Atlanta’s holiday theater offerings break up into the familiar and the alternative this year, with Scientology among one of the few non-traditional options.
“A Very Merry Scientology Pageant,” presented by Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, tells the story of Hubbard and his celebrity-endorsed teachings though the voices of little kids, some of whom portray pint-sized versions of adherents such as John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and Tom Cruise. For those who have no idea what Scientology is or what the intergalactic leader Xenu has to do with the Hollywood elite, the pageant offers a bit of education with the laughs. It’s enlightening, but certainly not endorsed by the church—and might be the most off-kilter holiday show in town.
That’s what people want to see, says Linnea Frye, the marketing director at Dad’s Garage. Not all Atlantans are looking for something familiar and festive. Some theatergoers just want to laugh. “I definitely think there’s an audience out there looking for something different at holiday time,” Frye says.
When Dad’s first brought writer Kyle Jarrow’s “Scientology Pageant” to Atlanta in 2006, the shows were packed. “Last year, it blew the doors off,” Frye says. While the play is for all ages, the theater’s other holiday production, “Chick and Boozy’s Holiday Cruise,” fills a void for more mature audiences. This variety show, which is filled with references to alcohol and sex, mocks holiday traditions.
In David Sedaris’ “Santaland Diaries,” at the Horizon Theatre for the ninth time, cold weather, tree ornaments and gift wrap mean sinking spirits. An inside look at the life of one of Santa’s helpers during the holidays, the show refuses to sugarcoat infuriating stories of dealing with crying kids and demanding parents.
“You get the cynical, behind-the-scenes view of Santa and the elves,” says Jennifer Dwyer, marketing director of the theater, who helped bring the play to Atlanta because there was an overabundance of cheer. “At that time, the only thing that was going on was ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ There is an alternative crowd out there.”
While some shows clearly have little to do with traditional holiday programming, others straddle the line. At ART Station, “A Broadway Christmas Carol,” fuses Dickens’s story with singing and dancing, offering a new take on an old tale. Three actors tell the story, with one playing Scrooge and the others depicting interchangeable characters who sing songs with piano accompaniment. The theater is also performing “The Gift of the Magi.” Over at the Aurora Theatre, actors help celebrate with the company’s annual “Christmas Canteen” musical review. From here, the choices lean toward comfortable territory.
Even though “Christmas at Sweet Apple” at Theatre in the Square is a world premier, it feels like a holiday classic. Based on the work of Celestine Sibley, the late Atlanta columnist, the story is full of Christmas spirit—not the kind found at the mall, but real family togetherness. Theatre in the Square also brings back “A Sanders Family Christmas,” which features old-time string band music.
At the Alliance Theatre, “A Christmas Carol” has been presented for 18 years, with 15-year veteran Chris Kayser playing Scrooge. The cast is filled with local actors, all armed to give life to those intangible holiday virtues. At the beginning of the play, the old man, Scrooge, hates everything, and by the end, he decides he loves everybody. The New Shakespeare Tavern takes a different look at the same story with “Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol.’”
What would the holiday season be without “The Nutcracker,” a ballet about magic toys, pure white snow and Russian dancers? John McFall, artistic director of the Atlanta Ballet, once again choreographs moves to the Christmas tunes written by Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky.
Almost all these plays are appropriate for the entire family, so there’s no excuse for not getting into the holiday spirit—or out of it, as the case may be. Whether you’re in the mood for Christmas carols, ballet, weird religions or apathy, there’s no shortage of actors, directors and stagehands happy to provide a few hours respite from the hustle and bustle of the season. SP
Holiday Shows
Alliance Theatre
“A Christmas Carol”
Nov. 30–Dec. 24
$20-$50
www.alliancetheatre.org
404-733-5000
Atlanta Ballet
“The Nutcracker”
Dec. 1–30
$15–$85
www.atlantaballet.com
404-892-3303
ART Station
“A Broadway Christmas Carol”
Nov. 28–Dec. 23
$26
“The Gift of the Magi”
Dec. 4–23
$26
770-469-1105
www.artstation.org
Aurora Theatre
“Aurora Christmas Canteen”
Nov. 23–Dec. 23
$22, $25
678-226-6222
www.authoratheatre.com
Dad’s Garage
“A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Project”
Nov. 30–Dec. 23
$15–$25
“Chick and Boozy’s Holiday Spectacular”
Dec. 8, 15 and 22 at midnight
$10–$12
404-523-3141
www.dadsgarage.com
Horizon Theatre
“Santaland Diaries”
Nov. 23–Dec. 30
$20–$45
404-584-7450
www.horizontheatre.com
The New American Shakespeare Tavern
“Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’”
Dec. 7–23
$12–$28
www.shaksepearetavern.com
404-874-5299
Theatre in the Square
“Christmas at Sweet Apple”
Nov. 11–Dec. 30
$25–$35
“Sanders Family Christmas”
Nov. 20–Jan. 6
$20–$35
770-422-8369
www.theaterinthesquare.com