Theater review: ‘All is Calm’ at The Playhouse

alliscalmpic — ‘All is Calm’ is now playing at The Playhouse San Antonio until Sunday December 24. Photo: The Playhouse San Antonio, used with permission.

In the middle of the holiday rush it is good to slow down and enjoy a night at the theater. Now playing until Sunday December 24 at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Russell Hill Rogers Theater is ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ George Green and Bill Gundry co-direct with musical direction by Nicholas Ponting. It stars Nick Szoeke, Nicholas Ponting, David Nanny, Aaron Ely, Robert Nauman, Eric Buchaus, Kevin Collins, Robby Vance, Kyle Krambeck, Brendan Brady, Travis Trevino and John Towry. This weekend there will be a special Holiday Double Feature on Friday and Saturday. ‘All is Calm’ will start at 7p.m. and will be followed by A Marcsmen Christmas at 8:30p.m. There is an additional cost for A Marcsmen Christmas, but they can both be purchased as a package. Other showtimes for ‘All is Calm’ are Sunday at 2p.m. and Friday December 22 and Saturday December 23 at 7:30p.m. and Sunday December 24 at 2p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258.

‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ is set in 1914, at the Western Front, where out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. The show features a talented cast of all-male singers and a mixture of songs, all sung acapella. These range from war tunes like “Keep the Home Fires Burning” to seasonal carols in several languages such as “O Tannenbaum” in German and “O Holy Night” in French. When a German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht” it brings about a night of camaraderie, music and peace. Approximately 90 minutes long with no intermission, it is composed of five parts, not including the Prologue and the Epilogue. In between the songs, both sides recount what happened that night and what daily life in the trenches was like. These narratives are taken from real letters from soldiers who were there.

The show itself is not that long but it is powerful and calming. Despite the dark overtones, it is a reminder of the kindness that resides in humanity regardless of race or creed. The staging and costumes are simple, but they set the mood perfectly. The voices are remarkable and the singers work together flawlessly to bring this remarkable true story to life. Highlights include the somber “I Want to Go Home” and “Stille Nacht.” It is told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. This acapella musical highlights the beauty and power of the human spirit during the darkest of days. Sure to be a conversation starter, it is a must see for the holiday season and appeals to all ages.

Theater review: ‘The Santaland Diaries’ at the Classic Theatre

santalanddiariespic — This is the last weekend to catch John Stillwagon as Crumpet the Elf on ‘The Santaland Diaries’ at The Classic Theatre. Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission.

The holiday season is in full swing and with it comes the holiday cheer and the same Christmas shows as last year. Thankfully, for anyone looking for something different ‘The Santaland Diaries’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. This one-man show is based on NPR comic genius David Sedaris’ experiences working as an elf in Macy’s Santaland display during the holiday rush. John Stillwagon returns as Sedaris’ not so merry alter ego Crumpet the Elf with Bart Roush directing. The show is written by David Sedaris and adapted by Joe Mantello. There is still one weekend left to enjoy this cult classic with shows on December 15, 16 and 17. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or by phone at (210) 589-8450.

The show begins as Sedaris’ character ponders how he got to the point of considering applying for a job as a Macy’s elf. He comes into town looking to become an actor but now he is running out of money and is ‘$20 away from walking dogs’ so he applies for and is called in for an interview. What follows is nothing short of hysterical. He disappears offstage for a couple of minutes and comes back in full elf costume to share his shame and continue his story. His colorful descriptions of the selection process and eventual training give way to his impressions of everyone from co-workers to clueless tourists who do not speak the language but got railroaded into the Santa line. Some of the funnier moments include when he is so frustrated with the job that he muses that ‘Santa’ must be an anagram for ‘Satan’ and his portrayal of over controlling parents.

‘The Santaland Diaries’ is a must see comical and sometimes irreverent behind the scenes look at life at Santa’s village. John Stillwagon’s performance is lively and energetic and he manages to get the audience to sympathize with his plight. As a bonus, anyone familiar with One Life to Live will find his bit about the show especially funny. This show is not to be missed, especially for anyone looking for an unconventional way to celebrate the holidays. On opening night, the audience consisted of adults of all ages, proving that it appeals to a wide audience, but it must be said that it contains adult language in case some find that questionable.

Disclaimer: Please note that ‘The Santaland Diaries’ is recommended for ages 14 and over as it contains mature content and language.

Theater review: ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ at the Majestic Theatre

Last night was opening night of ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ at the Majestic Theatre. The stage adaptation of the beloved classic film tells the story of two show business buddies who start out putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn and end up finding their perfect mates. Music and lyrics are by Irving Berlin with a book by David Ives and Paul Blake and it runs until Sunday December 17. Show times are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. Sunday.

‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ follows Bob Wallace and Phil Davis from the Western Front of World War II to a Vermont inn where they put on a successful Christmas show and fall in love. With the first scene set in 1944 during a Christmas Eve performance put on by Bob and Phil, the audience is introduced to these lovable characters who were meant to be in the spotlight, “Happy Holidays/White Christmas.” The story fast forwards to 1954 where they perform on the Ed Sullivan Show and meet Betty and Judy Haynes, a sister act, “Sisters.” Their next stop was supposed to be sunny Florida but without telling Bob, Phil changes those plans to follow the sisters to Vermont. Upon their arrival, they are disappointed to find no snow but are determined to put on a Christmas show. The show goes on despite minor setbacks and they are rewarded with a “White Christmas.”

Perfect for a family holiday outing, ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ is full of dancing, romance, laughter and favorite familiar songs including “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters” and “Blue Skies.” The talented cast brings this classic story to life with Sean Montgomery and Jeremy Benton brilliantly chosen for the roles of Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. Show highlights include “Sisters” by Betty and Judy and “Blue Skies” by Bob and the Chorus while “I Love a Piano” features a fabulous tap dancing number and was the audience favorite. It all wraps up with “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and a pleasant surprise for the audience. This family-friendly holiday show is not to be missed.

Holiday happenings at Pearl

pearlholidays — This week Pearl has different activities planned to get visitors in the holiday spirit. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

This week at Pearl there are numerous holiday activities to get visitors into the holiday spirit. From the festive scenery to holiday entertainment, food specials, shopping and live music, there is something for everyone.

The featured designer brands at Popmarte this week are India Hicks, Snake Hawk Press, Mignonne Gavigan, Lambillotte, La Marée Swimwear, Uwila Warrior, Dawnson + Hellmann and Cheree Berry Paper. Popmarte is a rotating, multi-brand retail store open for a limited time through December 23.

On Tuesday, December 12 – Northwest Hills Baptist Church will be caroling at 7p.m. at Parkito.

The Holiday Night Market will take place on Thursday December 14 from 4p.m. to 8p.m. This week it features Farmers Market vendors, craft vendors, live music and holiday activities. Guests will be able to pick up tamales and other traditional goodies like chocolates and sweets and gifts including handmade soaps to artisan goat cheese and gourmet dog treats.

Holiday Canciones is set for Thursday, December 14 beginning at 6p.m. This is a a four-part music series that takes place as part of the Pearl Holiday Night Market and features popular Texas music genres with a holiday twist. This week’s ‘Blue Christmas’ showcases rising Texas blues star, Dylan Bishop with a performance of classic blues and Christmas tunes mixed with his authentic and well-groomed playing style. During the evening event, patrons can experience a special outdoor bar by Bottling Department. All female Mariachi group Las Coronelas will also perform at Parkito.

Pearl
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215

Popmarte pop-up store at Pearl

Popmarte, now open for a limited time at the Pearl, offers customers a wide selection of gifts for the holiday season. Photo: Popmarte, used with permission.

Pearl is making it easier for customers to do some holiday shopping this season. Popmarte, a rotating, multi-brand pop-up retails store, is now open at the Pearl grounds until December 23. Curated by fashion industry veterans Nina McCandless and Ashley Clauss, it is a 1,200 square-foot retail space which features a wide selection of goods from local, regional and national designers in the fashion, accessories, home, beauty, kids, tech, travel and lifestyle space. Each week, five to seven select brands will have their own shop-in-shop within the overall space offering newness and excitement for the consumer throughout this holiday season. (Popmarte, 2017)

Participating national and local brands include Mignonne Gavigan, Dawson+Hellman, Cruz Ortiz and Snake Hawk Press, Rica Bath and Body, Mimilore, Bib & Sola, Uwila Warrior, Angelina Mata’s new line Sonsuz, La Maree, Boyd’s of Texas, Mi Cocina of Ubi-Ind Denim and more.

Popmarte
110 Avenue A
San Antonio, TX 78215

San Antonio Beer Week’s Mid Year Gala and Food Pairing

On Thursday December 7, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery and nine other local breweries, will get together at Blue Star Art Complex for the San Antonio Beer Week Community’s Mid-Year Gala and Food Pairing. Ten of San Antonio’s best breweries will be showcasing unique, one-of-a-kind beers paired with four tickets for small plates from local chefs, including Southerleigh, Weathered Souls, Blue Star and Botika. This event will take place from 7p.m. to 10p.m. and at 8:30p.m. guests will be able to meet the brewers for a Q & A session. Tickets are available online and are $35 per person. Price includes a SA Beer Week commemorative taster glass. The San Antonio Food Bank will be taking donations to support continued efforts to aid those affected by Texas Hurricane Harvey. (Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, 2017)

Southerleigh is the first brewery at Pearl since 2001 and has a 15-barrel brew house, six serving tank and a firkin/wood barrel-aging program. It is a 7,900-square foot dining facility with multiple seating options including bar seating, patio seating and a private dining room that can seat up to twenty people. The private dining in the north dining room seats up to seventy-five people with the capacity to host parties of up to two hundred people.

Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex
108 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204

Whataburger fundraiser for McAndrew Elementary

whataburgerchickensandwich-jpg — On Tuesday December 5, Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser for McAndrew Elementary School. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. This Tuesday December 5 from 5p.m. to 8p.m., Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser for McAndrew Elementary School. The public is invited to come and show their support by enjoying their favorite menu items and Whataburger will donate 20 percent of the sales during the posted hours to the organization. The first 100 customers will also receive a free Whataburger slap bracelet. There will also be a photo booth and the popular Whataburger for a Year drawing, where one customer’s name will be drawn to win the prize, a free Whataburger each week for an entire year. This Whata Night fundraiser will be at the 25111 W Interstate 10 location only. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Whataburger
25111 W Interstate 10 (near Ralph Fair Road)
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 698-5450

Holiday fun with Christmas Light Fest

Christmas Light Fest is open from now until December 31. Photo: Christmas Light Fest, used with permission.

The holidays are well under way and so is the annual light show at Don Strange Ranch in Boerne. From now until December 31, visitors can enjoy Christmas Light Fest and its two million twinkling lights, hayrides and holiday fun. Opened nightly, this holiday extravaganza takes place on a picturesque ranchland and features tunnels of twinkling lights and holiday displays along a two-mile path and Santa’s Village, a rustic barn filled with holiday flavors and activities. Hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 6p.m. to 9p.m. while Friday and Saturday nights, as well as holidays, feature an extra hour, from 6p.m. to 10p.m. (Christmas Light Fest, 2017)

Santa will be visiting each weekend before Christmas, December 8-10, December 15-17 and December 21-24. Wednesday nights visitors can enjoy free cookies with Santa on December 6, 13 and 20. Decorate cookies, play games and stroll through even more lights for perfect picture opportunities and fun. Santa’s Village is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a variety of holiday flavors including s’mores, coffee, hot chocolate, kettle corn, sausage on a stick and more while doing some shopping and helping to feed Santa’s Longhorns. After all, in Texas Santa needs more than reindeer to pull his sleigh.

There are two ways to enjoy Christmas Light Fest: drive through the festive displays in a vehicle or ranch-style, catching a hayride to tour the lights. Tickets are $27 per vehicle to tour the ranch, or $15 per person for a hayride. To ensure availability, hayrides should be purchased in advance online. Onsite parking is free. Vehicle passes and hayride tickets are available online. Private hayrides are available by reservation.

This year, there are more displays and twinkling surprises, more family fun and a walk-through light displays. Visitors can support Christmas Light Fest’s food drive for the San Antonio Food Bank by donating non-perishable food and canned goods. For every donation, Christmas Light Fest will take $2 off a vehicle pass or $4 during the week, from Sunday through Thursday.

Don Strange Ranch
103 Waring Welfare Rd
Boerne, TX 78006

Tickets for ‘The Book of Mormon’ go on sale December 8

The Tony Award winning musical ‘The Book of Mormon’ is back by popular demand after successful runs in 2013 and 2015. It returns to the Majestic Theatre for a limited engagement from Tuesday May 1 to Sunday May 6 as part of the 2017-2018 North Park Lexus Broadway In San Antonio season. Tickets go on sale this Friday December 8 at 10a.m. and prices start at $39. They are available through Ticketmaster online, by calling phone at 1-800-982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. The Majestic Box Office does not accept single ticket orders over the phone; all ticket sales must be made in person. Majestic Box Office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours vary weekly. Orders for groups of ten or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)

In ‘The Book of Mormon,’ Elder Kevin Price and Elder Arnold Cunningham are sent to Uganda for a two-year mission. Upon their arrival the villagers share their experiences of living with famine, poverty and AIDS. Eventually they meet the other missionaries who are stationed there but have been unable to convert anyone to Mormonism. Elder Price is convinced he will be different and he tries to teach the natives about Joseph Smith, the founder of their religion but he has trouble connecting with the natives. It features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series “South Park.” Considered a religious satire musical, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2011. Please be aware that it contains explicit language.

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

‘The Santaland Diaries’ at The Classic Theatre

‘The Santaland Diaries’ opens at The Classic Theatre on Friday December 8, 2017. Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre’s Second Series opens ‘The Santaland Diaries’ next week. This one-man show is based on the true chronicles of NPR comic genius David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display. In this cult classic he talks about some of his odd experiences during the height of the holiday crunch. John Stillwagon returns as Sedaris’ not so merry alter ego Crumpet the Elf with Bart Roush directing. The show is written by David Sedaris and adapted by Joe Mantello. It opens on Friday December 8 with subsequent show dates on December 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)

Tickets are $25 for general admission and may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. Group rates are available. There will be a complimentary eggnog reception on opening night Friday December 8. Please note that ‘The Santaland Diaries’ is recommended for ages 14 and over as it contains mature content and language and the secret of Santa is exposed.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Month: December 2017