Chuck’s “Favorite Shows of 2015” List

   First of all, the usual caveats: it’s almost impossible to name a “Best Show of the Year” - that’s because there are so many shows it’s impossible to see them all. Also, each show is presented under different circumstances - some community theatre groups can afford healthy stage budgets and the best theaters - and some have more modest means.

   And by my count, there were more than 115 community theatre shows in 2015 - how wonderful that we have so much available to us!

   Assorted issues this year made it difficult for me to see as many shows as I’d hoped to catch - and it can especially be a challenge for those of us who are involved with local theatre.

   Of course, I have two favorite shows from the year: the non-musical A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the musical Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. - but I admit prejudice, because I directed those shows for Huntington’s First Stage Theatre, so I can hardly be objective!

   The same holds true for another terrific show from First Stage - Once on This Island, Jr. - but since I’m on the First Stage board, again, I’m hardly impartial. (But, again - a terrific show!)

   Being involved with two shows also made it a challenge to see as many shows as I’d like, and I know I missed some good ones (because my friends gleefully told me how good the shows were). 

   For example:

    Paramount Players presented the musicals Rent, Fame and Cinderella this year, and all three got rave reviews - but I missed them. 

     Charleston Light Opera Guild staged Into the Woods, Cabaret, A Christmas Story: The Musical and Mary Poppins, and everyone told me they were great. I missed them.

   Actors for Children's Theatre presented a traveling version of The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi, one of my favorite stories (and their production was honored at a state competition) - but I missed it. 

   There were at least two other productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this year (one by the Paramount Players, one by Alban Arts Center) - but I only got to see the one I worked on.

   Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) had several great original shows this year, including Mary and The Best of Scarpelli and Kehde, with musical highlights from original work by composer Mark Scarpelli and Lyricist/Librettist Dan Kehde - but I missed them.

   CUP presented one of my favorites, Schoolhouse Rock Live - but I was in the middle of Lion King, Jr.

    HART also staged Mary Poppins, and again, raves - but the only night I was able to go, the rain poured down on the outdoor theatre production.

   But thankfully, I did manage to catch some shows - including the other summer outdoor theatre production by HART, Collis P! A New Musical. It was an entertaining original tale about the founder of Huntington - and a heck of a lot of fun!

   Another impressive show was Marshall University’s imaginative production of A Christmas Carol - the actors were wonderful and the staging and set were stunning! 

  There were two “New Works” festivals this year - I was out of town when ARTS presented theirs (again, I heard raves), but I caught ACTC’s New Play Festival, which featured quite a few terrific, original scripts. 

  ARTS in Huntington always does great work, and they had a killer lineup this year, including Into the Woods, Company, Brigadoon and Our Town. Each production was impressive and professional throughout, every one worthy of “best of 2015” honors - but their best production was the classic play Medea, which featured amazing acting and a unique, stunning visual design.

   Another favorite non-musical was Selections from The Twilight Zone - Appalachian Arts Collective presented an original adaptation of stories from the classic TV show, mixing horror and humor in equal measures. Again, great staging and acting on display.

   I love it when a show surprises me - and that’s what happened when I went to Grace Christian’s production of The Wizard of Oz, which matched terrific performances and amazing costumes with some truly impressive stagecraft - it was a real delight from start to finish!

   Those are the ones that got my attention (and ticket money) - apologies to any others I missed or overlooked (I'm sure there are many).

   So what shows did you enjoy? Here’s your invitation to send in your comments about your favorite shows to our email address: TheMinskers@aol.com or post your list in the comments below.

   2015 was a great year for shows, and 2016 looks like another stellar one for Tri-State Theatre!

   Happy New Year, Gentle Readers!

Local Baker Zach Davis in TV Cooking Contest

   Zach Davis grew up on local stages, and these days the father of three makes his living cooking for the local bakery Fannie's Sweet Confections (in his spare time, he also acts and directs).

   Hopefully his theatre training came in handy when he took part in a recent cooking competition! The results have been a closely-held secret, but we'll all find out what happened on New Year's Eve when the show airs. 

   Here's the press release with all the info:   

   Local Bakery to be featured on The Cooking Channel Owed by Food Network on Friday, Dec. 31!  

   Fannie's Sweet Confections located in Huntington on US Rt 60 in the K-Mart Plaza will be on a TV near you!

   Baker Zach Davis and Owner Tina Francis will appear alongside one another in an upcoming episode of the new series Sugar Showdown on the Cooking Channel Dec. 31 at 9:00 p.m. 

   Sugar Showdown is a new compition series based off the popular show Donut Showdown. It is hosted by celebrity Josh Elkins, with a rotating panel of celebrity judges.  The show pits three teams of two-against-one-another in two rounds of intense timed baking with mystery ingrediants.

Jim-Bob Williams' Choices for the "Best of 2015"

    Here's our second list from our readers - these are the shows chosen by Jim-Bob Williams as the "Best Community Theatre Shows of 2015!" Here's his comments:

   Well, I didn't see all of them and I may be biased based on my circle of friends, but

1. Twilight Zone - to think Appalachian Arts Collective was THE FIRST IN THE WORLD to dramatize Twilight Zone... and it debuted in St. Albans at the Alban Arts Center... is a mind blower. Kudos to Leah Turley et al!

2. Medea - Wowsers. The impact of dropping jaws could be measured with a seismometer.

3. Jekyll and Hyde by Kanawha Players. Powerful production with a minimal set. 

4. Brilliant Traces byAlban Arts Center. From the moment Adam Bryan wakes up and startles the audience, very intense and... brilliant.

5. Bell Book and Candle - Jenna Skeen was an awesome lead.

6. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Marlette Carter brings youngsters and veterans together with a musical finale by Qiet. 

7. Into the Woods - No one will forget the giant's appearance.

8. Vintage Hitchcock by Kanawha Players. if only to see Bill Rainey's homage to Hitchcock

9. No Pants Players - okay, it's all unscripted but they bring folks to the theater!

10. The Lion in Winter by Limelight Theater, Charleston. Highlight of the winter!  

   Honorable Mentions: Dearly Departed, Our Town, Dr Dolittle, It's A Wonderful Life, Catch & Release and Murder at the Cafe Noir (a great dinner theater production).

   All told I spent over $ 500 on tickets in 2015 for productions in Huntington, St Albans, Nitro, South Charleston and Charleston. Saw everything from radio plays to Shakespeare. Saw a world premiere. Great payback in entertainment value for investment in a small metropolitan area (basically a 60 mile stretch of I-64 or Route 60)! Thanks especially to the Herald-Dispatch for great coverage and keeping the community informed of auditions and performances.

   Have a happy new year - and may we see legs broken all over the area in 2016!

Anthony Vicker's "Best of 2015" List

I'm still working on my "Best Community Theatre Shows of 2015" list, but Anthony Vickers wasted no time accepting our invitation to readers to send in their own list. He writes:
Hard to choose my favorite of the year so I'm doing my favorite by group that I saw if that's ok.

AAC - The Twilight Zone

ARTS - Company

Alban Arts - It's A Wonderful Life

CLOG - A Christmas Story

Kanawha Players - Dearly Departed

Most every production I saw was great and looking forward to 2016!!!

Wrapping Up 2015

   The end of the year is drawing near, so I'm working on my list of "Favorite Community Theatre Shows" for the year.

   As always, gentle reader, you're invited to send in your choices for outstanding productions and actors - though we'll only be printing positive comments. Negative nellies need not apply!

   Feel free to send your comments to me via Facebook message, or email it to TheMinskers@aol.com.

   Stay tuned!

Merry Christmas!

   Hope you're having a great holiday season!

   Here's one of my favorite holiday videos to put you in the spirit - Merry Christmas, gentle readers!

A Show for the Holidays : "A Christmas Story: the Musical"

   Most theatre companies avoid the holidays.

   There are a couple of reasons - they worry that people will be too busy to find time to attend a show (though it certainly doesn't hurt the movie business), and it can be difficult to get the cast and crew to work during a holiday (or give up their holiday).

   Give the Charleston Light Opera Guild credit - they're tackling the year's biggest holiday head-on with their production of A Christmas Story - the Musical!

   The Jean Shepherd story of a boy named Ralphie and his dream of getting a Red Ryder BB-Gun for Christmas has become a holiday classic - and CLOG decided to offer the show on the weekends before and after Christmas!

   Last weekend's shows were a big success, and you have two more chances to see it right after Christmas - it runs on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday,  Dec. 27 at 2 p.m. It will be presented at the Norman L. Fagan State Theater at the West Virginia Culture Center at 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East in Charleston. Tickets are $20 each.

   Kudos to the cast and crew for tackling the show right in the heart of the holiday it celebrates!

   The show is the only one running next weekend, and it's highly recommended - don't miss it!

Auditions for Paramount's "Peter Pan"

   The Paramount Players have announced their first auditions for 2016 - it's for the high-flying musical Peter Pan!

   Here's the info:   

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   Paramount Players productions are open to all community members. Audition dates:

   Peter Pan – Jan. 4, 2016  – *Monday, Jan 4 for Ages 8 – 13 only at 4 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. 

   Tuesday, Jan 5th for Ages 8 – 13 at 4 p.m. - 13 to Adult at 6 p.m.

   Those under 13 should pick up a copy of “I’m Flying” at the Paramount Arts Center (PAC). 

   Ages 13 – Adult should prepare a song from Peter Pan. Music for “I’m Flying” is now available for pick up at the PAC box office. Accompaniment music and sample vocals can be found on the Paramount Players Facebook page.

   For more information call 606.324.3175, ext. 311 or email melanie@paramountartscenter.com.

On Stage This Weekend - Two Holiday Shows

   I have good news and bad news - the good news is, there were three great holiday shows scheduled for this weekend.

   The bad news is, one had to be cancelled - here's the schedule:

- It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Drama - The Alban Arts Center presents the live reading at the Alban Arts and Conference Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans on Dec. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens.

- A Christmas Story: The Musical - The Charleston Light Opera Guild (CLOG) presents the local premiere of the musical version of Jean Shepherd’s classic story. It will be presented at the Norman L. Fagan State Theater at the West Virginia Culture Center at 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East in Charleston on Dec. 18, 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 19, 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $20.

   The one that had to be cancelled was A Christmas Carol... More or Less by the Kanawha Players.

   Still, two great shows are there to get you in the holiday spirit - get out there and check 'em out!

Auditions Coming Up for First Stage's "Pinocchio"

   First Stage Theatre Company will hold auditions for the play Without Strings (based on Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio written by Patrick Rainville Dorn) on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church at 5747 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington, W.Va.


   The play follows the adventures of a marionette named Pinocchio who is magically brought to life, but who must overcome obstacles and survive an encounter with a monster whale to prove he’s worthy of becoming a real boy.

   Auditions are open to students from 1st Grade through High School seniors. Participants can arrive and sign up at any time between 2 and 5. There is no charge to audition or to take part in a First Stage production, and no theatre experience is required. Auditioners will be given a page of script to review, and they’ll read a few lines from the page out loud.


   The show will be presented March 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2016, at the auditorium at Huntington Middle School.


   The directing team is: Director Zach Davis and Producer Debbie Jackson.


   Based in Huntington, W.Va., the First Stage Theatre Company is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts.

New Works Festival Winners

   ARTS wrapped up its first New Works Festival this weekend, and sent along this announcement listing the winners:

   The first ARTS New Works Festival & Film Competition are over, and what an incredible two weeks it has been! We had over 28 plays performed in four days AND had our first 72-Hour Film Contest, complete with screenings and an award ceremony! 

   Quite a few of the writers joined us over the two weekends, including our visiting professional, Mickey Fisher (creator of EXTANT on CBS - if you couldn't make it out to see his script read or sit in on his talkback and discussions, you really missed an incredible opportunity). We were so lucky to be able to have someone who is actively in our business of creating art in Hollywood share his craft, his stories and his tips on filmmaking, playwriting, screenwriting and more - thank you, Mickey!

    Other writers included Jon Joy, Mike Murdock, Richard Cavendish, Sarah Diamond Burroway, Rosa Storey, Philip Kaplan and more! 

   Here are our Festival winners, as chosen by anonymous audience vote:

Best Short Play: "KEYS" by ROSA STOREY
Best One-Act Play: "STEPS" by LEN TRENT
Best Full Length Play: "MEAT" by DAN SHEA

   Each year ARTS will give at least one Director's Choice Award, voted on by the ARTS Festival Staff, as well. This year's winner: Director's Choice Award: "THE MARGINAL WAY" by MICKEY FISHER

   Film Contest Winners, as judged by Mickey Fisher and the ARTS Festival Staff:

1st Place: "PIZZA MONTHLY QUARTERLY" directed by DAVID SMITH
2nd Place: "IN SIN AND ERROR PINING" directed by IAN NOLTE
3rd Place: "THE GLACS" directed by ANDREW BROWN

   Congratulations again to our winners, and thanks to all who participated in the festival, whether you were in the audience, a director, a reader or a writer, we hope you enjoyed the first of what we hope are many more New Works Festivals to come!

   What an amazing way to finish the 2015 season. We can't wait for 2016! We have a knock-out season of shows and even more exciting surprises ahead!

   BE A PART OF IT!

Holiday Concerts Coming Up

   Here are a couple of holiday concerts you'll want to catch!

   The Huntington High Orchestra will present their annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at 7 p.m. in that school's auditorium.  The orchestra is made up of string students and will perform music for the season. The concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Ron Caviani at rcaviani@k12.wv.us or 304-526-6462.

 

    The Tri-State Youth Orchestra will perform their annual Christmas Concert Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at 7 p.m. at New Baptist Church. The orchestra is made up of students from West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Admission is $5, students 12 and under free. The orchestra is a non-profit organization so all donations are appreciated.  Doors open at 6:30.  For more information contact Ron Caviani at tsyo@aol.com.

On Stage This Weekend

   You have lots of shows to catch this weekend, including a flock of new works, a radio drama, a holiday classic and a beloved classic.

   Here's the rundown:

- New Works Festival - Arts Resources for the Tri-state (ARTS) will present a series of readings of new plays at the Renaissance Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington on Dec. 11 and 12. (** Full schedule posted below. **)

- Babes in Toyland -  The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the classic musical on Dec. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 12 and 13 at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Little Theater in Charleston. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. The show will also host a toy drive - bring a new unwrapped toy to donate.

- It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Drama - The Alban Arts Center presents the live reading at the Alban Arts and Conference Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans on Dec. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens.

- The Glass Menagerie - Portsmouth Little Theatre at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth presents the play by Tennessee Williams on Dec. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. - tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students.

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** New Works Festival Schedule **

Friday, December 11, 2015 - 7:00 p.m.
Starting a Family by Tristan Reynolds
Director - Michael Naglee
Cast: Eric Wilson, Andrew Surber, Todd Green, Rachel Sanford, Joanna Berner, Mary Olson

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

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Friday, December 11, 2015 - 8:00 p.m. 

Wicked Life of Patience Boston by Bryan Stubbles
Director - Rachel Sanford
Cast: Jenn Naglee, Jill Cochran, Greg Morris, Justin Vaughn, Rick Walker, Joanna Murdock, John Barton

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

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Friday, December 11, 2015 - 9:00 p.m.
Meat by Dan Shea
Director - Mike Murdock

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

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Saturday, December 12, 2015 - Noon
Steps by Len Trent
Director - Jonathan Maynard
Cast: Joanna Murdock, Michael Naglee, Tish Maynard, Jonathan Maynard

Cut the Cord by Annie Pulsipher
Director - Cyndi Fuller
Cast: Andrew Surber, Anna Baker, Robert Hutchens, Len Trent

Memento Mori by Tish Maynard
Director - Jonathan Maynard
Cast: Nora Ankrom, Jonathan Maynard, Tish Maynard, Rick Walker

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

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Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 2:00 p.m.
Pieces by Len Trent
Director - Todd Green
Cast: Mary Olson, Linda Reynolds

Ninety Degrees of Separation by David Guaspari
Director - Simon Woods
Cast: Jenn Naglee, Justin Vaughn, Anna Baker, Dylan Clark

The Authoress by Seth Freeman
Director - Sheila Meade
Cast: Simon Woods, Anna Baker, Jenn Naglee, Linda Reynolds

Deer Crossing by Roy Proctor
Director - Simon Woods
Cast: Jenn Naglee, Justin Vaughn, Anna Baker, Dylan Clark

Botherum by Richard Cavendish
Director - Sheila Meade
Cast: Len Trent, Robert Hutchens

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

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Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 4:00 p.m.
Night Music of the River by Richard Cavendish
Director - Michael Sullivan

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

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Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. 
Coffee/Reception with Mickey Fisher

8:00 p.m. - The Marginal Way by Mickey Fisher
Director - Mike Murdock

Following the Play - Talkback with the audience, cast, director, and author.

On Stage - "Nightmare Before Christmas"

    The Marshall Artists Series has an interesting performance taking the stage for two shows on Saturday, Dec. 12 - it's the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the holiday classic will be accompanied live                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             by the Huntington Symphony Orchestra.

   It'll be presented at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

   Don't miss it!

More "New Works" on the Way

   I've heard rave reviews about the first weekend of the ARTS New Works Festival (sadly, I was out of town and missed it) - but we all have another chance, as a second weekend of play readings continues next weekend.

   My pal Dave Lavender wrote a story about the festival for the Herald-Dispatch, which you can read right here.

   Here's an excerpt:

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   The old saying goes that laws are like sausage you don't want to see how they are made.

   Now, the star-dusted magic of creating plays, on the other hand, that's another matter.

   If you'd like to see how some of the region's best playwrights make a play baby, well, have we got the festival for you.

   Called New Works, the festival gives audiences a first listen to dramatic readings of some 29 new plays of all stripes culled from some 95 submissions from around the world.

   Taking place in the cozy Renaissance Ballroom at the Renaissance Arts Center, 900 8th St., Huntington (the old Huntington High School), New Works will shine a light on such well-known writers as Ironton native and now L.A.-based writer Mickey Fisher (creator of "Extant," the sci-fi series starring Halle Berry that ran for two seasons on CBS), other award-winning playwrights such as Jon Joy and Mike Murdock, as well as up-and-coming writers.

Christmas Concert on Dec. 8 to Benefit Toys for Tots

   The Cabell Midland High School Orchestra will present their annual Christmas Concert Dec. 8, 2015 at 7 p.m. in that school's auditorium.  

   Members of that orchestra will perform music for the season.  

   The orchestra is asking you bring a new toy (unwrapped and a value of at least $5) to the concert and drop it in the box.  

   The Cabell Midland orchestra is participating in the Toys for Tots campaign. They are in competition with Huntington High Orchestra to collect the most toys. The winner gets a cash prize sponsored by JD Byrider of Barboursville. All toys are at least $5 for all ages and has to be new in a box.  

   For more information contact Ron Caviani at rcaviani@k12.wv.us.

"New Works" Adds a Film Competition

   In addition to this weekend's New Works Festival (read more about it in this post), the folks at ARTS have added a film competition!

   Here are the details in this press release:

   ARTS Resources for the Tri-State is excited to announce, in addition to the up-coming New Works Festival, we will be having our first 72-Hour Film Competition! This event will run over the second weekend of the festival, culminating with cash prizes and screenings of the films on Sunday, December 13 at ARTS!

   Here's how it works: those interested in participating need to assemble a team (there is no number requirement for the team - go solo if you like!), and send a representative to ARTS, 900 8th Street in Huntington at noon on Thursday, December 10.

   At that time, each team will pay their $35 entry fee and the representative or team will receive a word and theme that need to be incorporated into your film (in whatever way you like). From that point on, teams will have until noon on Sunday, December 13, to write, shoot, edit and score a six-minute short film.

   Teams must deliver the film to ARTS by noon on December 13, and the film must be six minutes in length, with a 10-second cushion, including titles and credits, and be playable on a standard VLC player (.mp4, MPEG4 or finished DVDs are preferred).

   The films will be judged by filmmaker, playwright and creator of CBS' Extant, Mickey Fisher - as well as members of the ARTS New Works staff.

   At 5 p.m. on Sunday, the films will be screened for free at ARTS and cash awards for first, second and third place will be given. Winners will also receive ARTS 2016 Season Tickets and a fancy certificate!

   The cost per team is $35.

   Exact amount of cash prizes will be determined after entry fees are processed. However, each of the three prizes are guaranteed to make at least their entry fee back, as well as ARTS Season Tickets (a $75 value).

   If you or your team cannot be at ARTS at noon on Thursday, December 10, we can e-mail you your word and theme, and the entry fee can be paid when the film is turned in on Sunday, December 13. However, we cannot guarantee how quickly you will receive the email, as those that make a physical appearance and pay up front will have preference.

   For more info: www.artstristate.org and email: arts@artstristate.org.

On Stage in December

   It's a busy holiday month ahead, but community theatre will be hopping as always - here's the schedule for the month of December: 

- New Works Festival - Arts Resources for the Tri-state (ARTS) will present a series of 28 readings of new plays at the Renaissance Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington on Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13. (For a full schedule, check this post.)

- Babes in Toyland -  The Children's Theatre of Charleston presents the classic musical on Dec. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 12 and 13 at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Little Theater in Charleston. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. The show will also host a toy drive - bring a new unwrapped toy to donate.

- A Christmas Carol - Ashland Community and Technical College Theatre (ACTC) present the classic play at the J.B. Sowards Theatre at 1400 College Drive in Ashland on Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, and ACTC employees.

- Mary - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the original rock opera with music by Mark Scarpelli and lyrics by Dan Kehde at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Shows run Dec. 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. - tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

- It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Drama - The Alban Arts Center presents the live reading at the Alban Arts and Conference Center at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans on Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens.

- A Christmas Story: The Musical - The Charleston Light Opera Guild (CLOG) presents the local premiere of the musical version of Jean Shepherd’s classic story. It will be presented at the Norman L. Fagan State Theater at the West Virginia Culture Center at 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East in Charleston on Dec. 18, 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 19, 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $20.

- A Christmas Carol...More or Less - Kanawha Players presents the play at the LaBelle Theater at 311 D Street in South Charleston on Dec. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. - tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, senior citizens and children under 18.

- The Glass Menagerie - Portsmouth Little Theatre at 1117 Lawson Street in Portsmouth presents the play by Tennessee Williams on Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. - tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students.

- Joytacular! - The No Pants Players present their annual Christmas show to benefit the Marine's Toys for Tots program. Admission is either a $10 ticket or you can donate a new toy. The “all ages” Improv show will be presented Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center on Main Street in St. Albans.

- Interactive Dinner Murder Mystery - Murder and Merriment presents murder mysteries, including: "Silent Night, Deadly Night!" on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Pipestem Spa and Event Center. Tickets are $55 per guest by reservation only, $50 with table of 8 - call 304-466-1767; and "Murder at the USO!" - a special New Year's Eve event on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. Tickets by reservation only - call 304-422-3131.

   So mark those calendars and support your local theatre!