Font ResizeIF YOU HAVE relatives or friends visiting for Thanksgiving and are wondering what to do with them after the turkey is gone, why not try a fun musical?
The Willows Theatre's rollicking tribute to the Red Hat Ladies opens Nov. 23, and continues through Jan. 10 at the Willows Cabaret in Martinez.
"Hats: The Musical" includes music and lyrics from the likes of Melissa Manchester, Pam Tillis and Kathie Lee Gifford.
The show espouses a lot of worldly wisdom — sometimes a bit naughty but always straightforward — as the five cast members prove there is a lot of fun to be had after 50.
Lois Grandi directs with M.L. Parr as Contessa, Shirley Nilsen Hall as Lady, Kathleen Escude as Duchess, Loretta Janca as MaryAnne and Kristine Lowry as Baroness. Timothy Hanson is the musical director.
Call 925-798-1300 or go to www.willowstheatre.org.
Looking for something a little different this holiday season? Diablo Actors' Ensemble has just the thing. The company opens "Swingtime Canteen" on Dec. 4.
The high-energy musical revue continues through Dec. 20 at DAE's intimate theater in Walnut Creek.
The show takes you back to 1944 where glamorous movie legend Marian Ames takes her declining career in hand and heads off to London with her gal pals to entertain the troops.
The ladies more than prove their
The cast includes Tielle Baker, Jessica Fisher, Laurel Ryerson, Jenna Stich and Laura Morgan singing such classics as 'Don't Fence Me In," "Sentimental Journey," "I'll Be Seeing You," and more, including a fast-paced Andrews Sisters medley.
Scott Fryer directs with Kim Vetterli, just back in town after touring with Sally Struthers, as musical director. Call 866-811-4111 or go to www.diabloactors.com.
Saint Mary's College Performing Arts department presents its annual fall dance concert "Altered States, Fabulous Shoes" at 8 p.m. Dec. 3-5 in LeFevre Theatre.
The concert features the premiere of eight works by members of the SMC dance company, which explore such topics as identity, community and shifting realities. For more information on the free event, call 926-631-4670.
Lafayette's Town Hall Kids is now registering students (ages 4 and older) for its winter/spring session.
The company offers theater arts to children while developing self-esteem, confidence and team-building skills. Each class culminates in a performance.
Shows include "The Emperor's New Clothes," "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Clue," and "The Sound of Music." For more information, go to www.thtc.org.
The creator of "SF Follies" announces auditions for his latest work "Forever Broadway," an all singing, dancing salute to the Great White Way. This one-night musical revue performs at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 27.
Producer/director John Bisceglie is looking for 50 singers who dance and singers who move, ages 16 to 85, to dance and sing their way through 100 years of Broadway.
"This high-energy show combines a super selection of Broadway classics with songs from today's hottest shows," says Bisceglie.
Auditions will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Jan. 8, in San Francisco. To make an appointment, go to www.foreverbroadwaysf.com.
Hitchcock fans are in for a treat as SHN presents his Tony Award-winning whodunit comedy, "The 39 Steps" at the Curran Theatre from Dec. 9 to Jan. 3.
More than 150 zany characters, performed by four incredibly talented actors, keep this juicy spy novel (with a dash of Monty Python) moving at breakneck speed.
SHN also announces the U.S. premiere of J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan." Direct from London, the show features 22 actors, stunning puppets and dazzling flying sequences. Tickets go on sale Dec. 6.
For tickets to either "The 39 Steps" or "Peter Pan," call 415-512-7770 or go to www.shnsf.com. You can also visit www.peterpantheshow.com. for more information on this limited engagement extravaganza.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com.
