Another Busy Weekend

Just when you thought things were calming down on the local theatre scene, here comes another busy weekend with lots of shows to choose from.

First Stage Theatre will present three more shows of "Babes in Toyland" at the old Huntington High School in Huntington - shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Fifth Avenue Theatre will present "A Christmas Carol" at Huntington's City Hall at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Part concert, part original show and part dinner theatre, The Cabell Midland High School Collegium Musicum - a vocal ensemble of students who perform in Renaissance costume - will have its 13th annual Madrigal Dinner at 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9, in the school cafeteria. I've been going to these for years - both before, during and (starting this year) after my youngest son was involved with the group - and it's a fun evening with wonderful holiday music. Tickets are $15 per person and include a sit-down dinner served by the students.

Also, even though we focus on the Huntington area here, I wanted to mention two performances of "A Christmas Story" at Ashland's Paramount Theater Thursday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. It's the story by Jean Shepherd about a boy named Ralphie who wants a BB Gun for Christmas, but everyone says "You'll shoot your eye out!" Wouldn't be Christmas without it.