December brings a month of seasonal entertainment designed to offer good cheer across the Historic Triangle.
Tidewater Classical Guitar
Tidewater Classical Guitar presents a holiday showcase at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre. The performance promises to bring joy and togetherness to all, showcasing the Tidewater Guitar Orchestra and some of Hampton Roads’ talented guitarists.
For information, visit tidewaterclassicalguitar.org.
John Shulson
SI Dance
SI Dance brings its fanciful “The Nutcracker” to CrossWalk Church in Norge at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 6.
This annual production — the seventh annual — follows Clara on her enchanting journey to the Land of the Sweets, where adventure, beauty and timeless holiday charm come to life on stage, all by the talents of local performers. Real-life sisters will play siblings Clara and Fritz, while the Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Sarah Neff, a 17-year-old senior at Warhill High School.
A sword fight between the Nutcracker and Mouse King, dancing dolls and sparkling ballerinas are all colorful aspects to see. And, according to the SI Dance, there will even be snow inside the theater.
For tickets, visit sidance.net.
Virginia Regional Ballet
The VRB is expanding its “Nutcracker” performances to two locations this year, starting Dec. 6 in the Glenn Close Theatre in William & Mary’s Phi Beta Kappa Hall. This performance will be performed to a recorded score due to space in the hall. The second location, with the WSO, is at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at 1 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, along with 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 21.
Although Heidi Robitshek and co-founder Adele Carpenter established VRB in 2007, this marks Robitshek’s 40th full length “Nutcracker” dating back to her Chamber Ballet days.
For the W&M production, the Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by guest Hallie Rumsey, whose extensive training has led to performances with such companies as the American Repertory Ballet, West Coast Ballet and Grand Kyiv Ballet. Her Cavalier will be Jonathan Montepara of Ballet X.
At Ferguson, the Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by guest Dollie Powell. She has danced with the likes of Ballet West, Orlando Ballet and Carolina Ballet, in such Balanchine works as “The Nutcracker,” “Stars and Stripes,” “La Bayadere” and “Don Quixote.” Her Cavalier will be Ihosvany Rodriguez, a freelance dancer from the Miami area. VRB student Emmy Jane Erdquest will dance Klara.
These productions are full scale, with the WSO bringing added excitement to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score. Adam Turner, Virginia Opera’s artistic director and chief conductor, conducts.
For tickets to both locations, visit dancevrb.com.
Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
The WSO celebrates the season with Holiday Pops in the Kimball Theatre in Colonial Williamsburg on Dec. 6 and 7. Showtimes are at 1:30 and 3 p.m. each day. Performances will feature guest vocalist and Broadway star Tiffany Haas, who has performed several times with the WSO. She is known for her role as Glinda in the musical “Wicked.” Each program is about 55 minutes long, with Michael Butterman conducting.
For tickets visit, williamsburgsymphony.org.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
The VSO has holiday programs throughout the month. On Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. (sold out) and 7 p.m., the orchestra brings its Classical Christmas program to W&M’s Music Arts Center. It’s a holiday fare of winter and festive-themed classics by favorite classical composers. Adam Turner conducts.
On Dec. 11, the VSO comes to the Ferguson Center for a Holiday Pops concert, which includes the Virginia Symphony Chorus, guest vocalist Patrice Covington and the Virginia Children’s Chorus, all under Robert Shoup. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m.
Then on Dec. 19, the festive Holiday Brass Christmas program takes place in Saint Bede Catholic Church at 7:30 p.m. Bright, bold and well, brassy, this grouping always delivers the goods with arrangements of seasonal songs that allow you to hear the virtuoso talents of the players close up.
The next night, Dec. 20, the VSO travels to the First Baptist Church in Newport News for Handel’s “Messiah.” Eric Jacobson conducts, with four guest vocalists and the VSO Chorus. It’s a wonderful, thoughtful and peaceful entry to the last few days before the big day. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets to all, visit virginiasymphony.org.
Williamsburg Players
The Williamsburg Players again bring to the season “A Christmas Carol” from Dec. 11-14 and again from Dec.18-21. Now in its 68th season, this Charles Dickens favorite is an eagerly awaited holiday happening. There’s Scrooge all alone on a cold Christmas Eve and the visit of the three ghosts detailing what he’s done wrong and what’s going to happen if he doesn’t change directions into the future.
The performance is directed by Brink Miller, who also reprises his role as Scrooge, a role he’s portrayed in Atlanta for over 20 seasons, and Jason Kriner, who also serves as music director.
For dates and times, visit williamsburgplayers.org.
Recap
The WSO’s “Broadway Divas” was a delight. Guest vocalists Alli Mauzey and Nicole Parker, who have performed together on Broadway as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in “Wicked,” displayed the reason they’re on the musical stage. Together and in individual selections, the duo worked the lyrics and the audience with movement, interaction and feeling.
Among the many selections were “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” “River Deep-Mountain High” from “Tina,” “Think of Me” from “Phantom,” “All That Jazz” from “Chicago” and highlights from “Wicked.”
In addition, the WSO, under guest conductor Morihiko Nakahara, delivered bright and sparkly renderings of “Broadway Tonight,” “76 Trombones” and a terrific “Abba Medley.”
Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.
