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THEATER CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS.
Actor’s Theatre of New Orleans, WTIX-FM Building, second floor, 4539 N. I-10 Service Road, Metairie, 4564111 — The Trois Belles Voix (Gina Abromson, Louise Cappi and Chelle Duke) sing old and new Christmas songs in this holiday revue. Tickets $10. 10 p.m. Friday.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE WHOLE STORY. Actor’s Theatre
of New Orleans, WTIX-FM Building, second floor, 4539 N. I-10 Service Road, Metairie, 456-4111 — A 19-year holiday tradition at the theater, Rene J.F. Piazza re-imagines Dickens’ classic as a screwball comedy with a cast of eccentric characters. Tickets $20 general admission, $18 students, seniors and children. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday.
CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE.
THE EIGHT: THE REINDEER MONOLOGUES. Mid-City Arts
Theater, 3540 Toulouse St., 488-1460 — Reindeer tell sordid tales of sex, lies and Santa. Tickets $25. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
GRENADINE MCGUNKLE’S DOUBLE-WIDE CHRISTMAS.
One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361; www.oneeyedjacks.net — The signature Running With Scissors holiday romp revolves around hijinks at a trailer park Christmas eve potluck. Call 606-9903 for reservations. Tickets $20. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
THE SANTALAND DIARIES.
Mid-City Arts Theater, 3540 Toulouse St., 488-1460 — A.J. Allegra performs the one-man show based on David Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice. Tickets $20. 8 p.m. Thursday.
WALRUS ELK & HIS CHAMPAGNE ELKESTRA. Hi-Ho
Lounge, 2239 St. Claude Ave., 945-4446; www.hiholounge. net — The show is a holidaystyle revue in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show. 9 p.m. Wednesday. PAGE 54
The Pecan Cracker
Modern Christmas is haunted by the 19th century as Ebenezer Scrooge and The Nutcracker take over stages throughout the holiday season. Locally, a vibrant troupe created a comic version based on Tchaikovsky’s classic and E.T.A. Hoffmann’s original story. It’s set in City Park, is updated to 1965, and irreverent nuttiness rules the day. Fans of the multitalented Ricky Graham will be pleased with his latest offering, which he directed and co-wrote with Sean Patterson and Mandy Zirkenbach. A narrator (Yvette Hargis) recites the tale of young Mary-Clare (Katherine Hebert), who begins the play as a brat and gradually reforms though the magic of The Pecan Cracker (Gary Rucker). On Christmas Eve, Mary-Clare receives the small, wooden nutcracker as a present, and she throws a tantrum and slams it to the ground. A magical human-sized incarnation of The Pecan Cracker appears in Mary-Clare’s dreams, but he has trouble with his jaw as a result of her rough treatment. Although he finds her sulkiness trying, he’s determined to cure her of it. He comes to her rescue with a spray can of insecticide when she’s beset by the roach brigade (Brian Falgoust, Patrick Mendelson, Heidi Junius and Zirkenbach). The same group ably sings and dances under different guises in most of the show’s 17 numbers, which are choreographed by Zirkenbach. The knock-about ensemble wears funny and imaginative costumes created by Cecile Casey Covert. Jefferson Turner arranged the show’s catchy tunes and accompanies them on the keyboard, assisted by Brian Albus on drums. Some the songs are updated Tchaikovsky pieces and others are originals. In his attempt to sweeten Mary-Clare’s disposition, The Pecan Cracker transports her to The Land of Sweets in City Park, where she meets the Buttermilk Drop Fairy, the Rum Ball and the Petit Four among other delightful delicacies. Things get threatening with the appearance of The Gautreaux Gator Family, but the reptiles are only having fun. Some of the jokes are deliberately corny and are saved by a quick rim shot on the snare drum: “I gotta make like a banana and split.” Ta-dum! But the show is marked by high spirits and zesty performances that both kids and adults will enjoy. — Dalt Wonk
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The Pecan Cracker 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Southern Rep, The Shops at Canal Place, 365 Canal St., 522-6545; www.southernrep.com Tickets $20-$25
LUNCH SPECIALS Monday-Friday 11am-2pm
LIVE MUSIC
Friday & Saturday Nights!
NO COVER AT ALL!!! Check website for listings.
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Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > december 20 > 2011
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 525-1052; www.mahaliajacksontheater.com — The show re-imagines the holiday season with acrobatics and other feats, large-scale set pieces and a score featuring some seasonal favorites. Tickets $20-$60 (plus fees). 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
GR OPEILL LAT N E!
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