Having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year? The Lakes Region Singers will offer plenty of it at their two Christmas performances – Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.
“We have an exciting program planned for this season,” said Director Karen Jordan, “featuring some beautiful new pieces as well as many familiar favorites. We’ll introduce our brand-new youth bell choir and will again highlight many soloists and instrumentalists from our local communities.”
The adult chorus will offer new arrangements of well-known pieces such as “Deck the Halls” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” along with a medley of popular tunes. The adult chorus’ performance will also include challenging treatments of “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” “Herself a Rose,” and “Carols of the Night.”
The youth chorus will take center stage with lively versions of “Sparklejollytwinklejingle” from Elf the Musical, and “Duermete,” a Spanish lullaby. The youths will join the adults for “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and for the grand finale.
Along with the new youth bell choir, directed by Vickie Parrish, several numbers will feature strings, flute, organ, brass, percussion, or four-hand piano accompaniments, as well as the adult bell choir.
Both concerts will take place at the First United Methodist Church, Route 11-A in Gilford.
A suggested donation of $8 per person or $15 per family will be taken at the door to help cover expenses.
For more information, call Jordan at 524-0835 or 998-8545 or email her at kpj@jordanassociatesinc.com.
A poor lad, his long-suffering mother, a cow and a beanstalk make for a giant good time this holiday season at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse. This version of Jack and the Beanstalk, which will be presented in the style of a traditional English “panto,” will bring a new New England tradition, straight from old England.
Jack and the Beanstalk features sensational songs, dynamic dance, silly slapstick and mysterious magic. This zany and interactive show will be a treat for audience members of all ages and families are encouraged to come as a group. The show is specifically written with jokes that will appeal to young children, along with double entendres and humor aimed at adults. A mixture of favorite pop songs, coupled with classic musical theater tunes, will also have wide appeal.
Jack and the Beanstalk will take place Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Monday at 10 a.m., with additional shows from Dec. 26 to 31. Tickets range from $12 to $22. Tickets can be ordered by calling 279-0333 or visiting winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
The Alloy Orchestra will perform live with Buster Keaton’s The General on Saturday at 8 p.m. at 3S Artspace.
Called “the best in the world at accompanying silent films” by Roger Ebert, Alloy Orchestra features director and percussionist Ken Winokur, multi-instrumentalist Terry Donahue, and keyboardist Roger C. Miller. Working with an assemblage of peculiar objects, they thrash and grind soulful music from unlikely sources to accompany classic silent films.
Tickets are $15 for members and nonmembers, available online at 3Sarts.org and at the box office one hour before the show begins. This is a seated event. 3S Artspace is located at 319 Vaughan St. in downtown Portsmouth.
For more information, visit 3Sarts.org.
The Meredith Public Library will host the Hampstead Stage Company, a national professional touring theater company based in Center Barnstead, for a performance of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
The show will take place Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s function room. A Christmas Carol is best suited for audiences age five and older. No sign-up is required, but space is limited so most seating will be on the floor, with a few rows of chairs available. For more information, visit hampsteadstage.org., meredithlibrary.org, or call at 279-4303.
The treasured holiday tradition of The Ragpicker’s Dream will be presented at The Music Hall Loft on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m. This is producer Kent Stephens’ annual holiday reader’s theatre experience.
The show features Doria Bramante, CJ Lewis, Susan Poulin, James Sears, Kathy Somssich, and Kent Stephens.
The Music Hall Loft is located at 131 Congress St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $15. Book online, call 436-2400, or visit The Music Hall box office at 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth.
Elf, Jr. is the stage adaptation of a hilarious holiday classic, with music and lyrics by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin from the book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan. Performances will be Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” This is a memorable quote from the just as memorable movie Elf, which is one of the most successful Christmas films to be released in the last 15 years. And now, Buddy the Elf is coming to Milford with Riverbend Youth Company’s upcoming performance of Elf, Jr.
The musical is family friendly and is packed with holiday cheer – a perfect event to get in the spirit of the holiday season! Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and are available at amatocenter.org or at the door.