Want to get your culture on? Our recommendations include “Lyle the Crocodile” at Synchronicity Theatre with (from left) Daniel Hilton, Sarah Peavy, Cardboard Man, Matt Baum as Lyle and Joseph Masson. Photo by KVC Photography)
RECOMMENDED
Lyle the Crocodile. THROUGH DEC. 28. Synchronicity Theatre celebrates the holidays with this family musical about a tap-dancing croc who turns up in a family’s bathtub and changes their lives. Based on the books Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber. Although the kids will be entertained, there’s plenty of wit for adults to enjoy. Remaining shows: 11 a.m. Dec. 24; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26; 1 & 4 p.m. Dec. 27; and 2 & 5 p.m. Dec. 28. $10-$40. Synchronicity Theatre at Peachtree Point, 1545 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.484.8636.
LAST CHANCE
A Christmas Carol. CLOSES CHRISTMAS EVE. David de Vries assumes the “bah, humbugs” in this 25th staging of the holiday classic. You know the story: miserly Scrooge, the ghosts, the Cratchit family and a spiritual reawakening. What sets the Alliance Theatre version apart is its multicultural casting, its sumptuous sets and costumes, and its cast of finely tuned choristers. Remaining shows: 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23; and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 24. The critics: “Based on the pure spectacle of its production values, the Alliance Theatre’s 25th annual staging is an undeniable feast for the eyes. But, as food for thought or for the soul, the show is less substantial” (Bert Osborne, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). $17.50-$72. Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. For more on de Vries, see this ENCORE FEATURE.
NOW PLAYING
Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker. THROUGH DEC. 28. Join the sugar plum fairies, mischievous mice and inhabitants of lands near and far in this dreamscape brought to life by the ballet’s artful, athletic dancers and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. The Georgia Youth Choir sings in Act 1’s snow scene. $27-$142. Remaining performances: 2 & 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23, 26-27; 1 p.m. Dec. 24; and 2 p.m. Dec. 28. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.892.3303. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. For more on this season’s Nut, see the ENCORE FEATURE.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. THROUGH DEC. 28. This Center for Puppetry Arts adaptation is based on the classic 1964 stop-motion animated TV special. You remember Clarice, the Bumble, Hermey and Yukon Cornelius, right? They’re all here, as is the most famous reindeer of all. $16.50-$20.50; age 2 and under free. Remaining shows (check availability before you go): 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m. Dec. 23-24; 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. Dec. 26-27; and 1 & 3 p.m. Dec. 28. 1404 Spring St. N.W. Tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.
LOOKING AHEAD
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. JAN. 8 & 10. Did you know Franz Liszt was considered the Springsteen of his day (1859-67)? FR-A-A-A-A-NZ!!! This program features Liszt’s Les preludes along with Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini and Ein Heldenleben by R. Strauss. Israeli conductor Asher Fisch is on the podium; Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov makes his ASO debut with the Rachmaninov. 8 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
Bad Jews. JAN. 21-FEB. 22. This comedy, written and developed by Joshua Harmon during his playwriting residency at Actor’s Express, returns to Atlanta after an acclaimed New York run. Daphna Feygenbaum is a “real Jew.” Her cousin Liam is a self-described “bad Jew,” complete with a shiksa girlfriend. When the two arrive in New York for their grandfather’s funeral, they engage in a savagely funny battle royale over a cherished family artifact. Cast: Suzi Bass Award winner Galen Crawley (Mary Poppins), Rachel DeJulio, Wyatt Fenner (Pluto) and Louis Gregory. $20-$32 (parking $5). 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St. Tickets, details HERE or at 404.875.1606. Ticket discounts at PoshDealz.com.
A Cabaret Celebrating Judy Garland. DEC. 31. Join Serenbe Playhouse for an evening with the great Judy Garland. She’s played by Natasha Drena, 2014 Suzi Bass Award winner for best actress in a play for her portrayal of Garland in End of the Rainbow at Actor’s Express. Venue: The Farmhouse restaurant in Serenbe. 10:30 p.m. $50. 9110 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110.
Tuck Everlasting. JAN. 21-FEB. 21. A young girl dreaming of adventure meets a family with a fascinating secret. Their chance encounter will change them all forever. Journey with them in this world premiere musical at the Alliance Theatre. The new show, based on Natalie Babbitt’s 1975 novel, features a script by Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear; a score by the young, award-winning team of Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen; and direction by Tony winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot). The cast is led by two-time Tony nominees Carolee Carmello (Parade, Scandalous) and Terrence Mann (Pippin, Beauty and the Beast) along with Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Newsies, Mary Poppins, Seussical) and Atlanta actor Sarah Charles Lewis. For ages 10 and up. Performances begin Jan. 21. $21-$60. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 & 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Alliance Theatre mainstage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. Ticket discounts (previews only) at PoshDealz.com.
::
Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, working in or covering the performing arts for most of her life. Full disclosure: She’s affiliated with Synchronicity Theatre listed above. Please email: [email protected].
