While many people were preparing for Thanksgiving and/or Black Friday, Bay Area theaters were preparing or already serving up holiday fare. One such example, is a magical and feisty new take on “Cinderella: A Fairytale” by Sally Cookson and Adam Peck, opening Dec. 5 at Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre Company.
“It’s not Disney and not Rodgers and Hammerstein but a brand-new adaptation from Tobacco Factory Theatre in the U.K.,” says Town Hall’s artistic director, Susan Evans.
Featuring original music and filled with humor and dance, the story tells of little Ella and her father enjoying a life together until he remarries and her life turns upside-down. But then she meets the geeky, asthmatic bird-watcher Prince. The glass slipper in Cookson’s version is a shimmering Doc Marten-type boot. “It’s about family and growing up, and these are things we all share,” Cookson adds.
Clive Worsley directs with Lindsay Kathryn Ford (Ella), Dennis Markam (Father/Stepmother), Henry Halkyard (Prince), Sara-Jean Bartky (Stepsister), Marshall Scott (Stepbrother) and Mikah Kavita (Queen). Five younger performers round out the ensemble playing magical forest birds and palace courtiers: Oli Axelrod, Jason Gray, Lourdes Verde Lombardo (who also portrays Young Ella), Olivia Penney and Tatiana Butterfly Torres.
“Cinderella” runs through Dec. 21 at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School St. in Lafayette. Call 925-283-1557 or go to townhalltheatre.com for tickets or more information.
Martinez: Kathryn G. McCarty is directing her original “(Not) A Christmas Carol” for Onstage Repertory Theatre.
“I wanted to create a comedy that was easily accessible to today’s audiences yet still held true to the story and meaning in Dickens’ work,” says McCarty. “I kept wondering how Dickens would incorporate world events if he were writing his story in 2019.”
In McCarty’s version, Scrooge, played by John Blytt, is the leader of the world’s first oil and bank consortium with Onstage founder Helen Means playing the administrator of a cryogenic facility. The show runs Dec. 13-22 at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St. in Martinez. For a new look at an old favorite, call 925-350-9770 or go to campbelltheater.com.
Also in Martinez: Talented young people ages 5 to 17, again at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, will present a fast-paced holiday show with favorite songs from a variety of fairy tales as well as holiday favorites. According to Lori Tassano of Star Quest, “Holiday Magic” is just that.
“It’s some fun with a little magic thrown in. The story follows two sisters who find themselves caught in a children’s theater troupe run by an evil director who won’t free them until they solve the magic puzzle. Luckily, they have help from Tinker Bell and other surprise characters,” she explains.
The show runs Dec. 7 at 2:30 and 6 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Call 925-228-4321. Those 12 and younger are encouraged to wear a costume to be entered into a special auction. All children will go home with a gift.
Pleasant Hill: More than 100 performers ages 8 and older will join together to tell a heartwarming story of love, hope and holiday cheer in “ ’Twas the Opening Night Before Christmas.” The Peter Pan Foundation’s annual musical holiday treat runs Dec. 14-15 at 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill.
Dedicated to inspiring children of all ages to reach their full potential, the foundation engages its members in serving children in need through partnerships with other local organizations. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to order in advance at brownpapertickets.com/event/4421286.
Oakland: Oakland’s Christmas Revels present another musical extravaganza just in time for the holidays. “A Solstice Journey Through Time” runs Dec. 13-22 at the First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. in Oakland. This is the group’s first year performing at the church. Previous annual performances were held at the Scottish Rite Center.
Now in its 34th year, the Revels celebrate traditional music, dance, ritual, folk plays and more, including the haunting “Antler Dance.” Led by Artistic Director David Parr and Music Director Shira Kammen, this is something everyone should experience at least once. For tickets, call 510-452-9334, email office@californiarevels.org or go to californiarevels.org.
San Francisco: Two young Piedmont residents — Charlotte Ying Levy and Miranda Long — have been trekking to San Francisco several times a week to rehearse “Scrooge in Love!” for 42nd Street Moon. Levy, 15, attends Piedmont High School and already has a substantial performing resume. Long, a busy 13-year-old, has also appeared in many other productions and finds time to study guitar, voice and dance.
“Scrooge in Love!” runs Dec. 4-22 at San Francisco’s Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St. Dyan McBride directs with Jason Graae portraying the love-sick Ebenezer. For tickets, call 415-255-8207 or go to 42ndstmoon.org.
Also in S.F.: Scrooge is in trouble in SF City Theatre’s production of “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge.” It’s a year after his miraculous transformation, and Scrooge has reverted to his old ways by suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future for breaking and entering, kidnapping, slander, pain and suffering, attempted murder and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. This litigation-happy version of the holiday tale runs Dec. 6-11 at Clarion Music Performing Arts Center, 2 Waverly Place in San Francisco. Call 650-784-5303 or email purchase@brownpapertickets.com.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.
