Christmas Dearest
Out Front Theatre
through December 18, 2022

Joan Crawford was a star of the silver screen, but like so many in her trade, she wasn’t necessarily one who might be considered for sainthood. This play by David Cerda is based on the memoir Mommie Dearest by her daughter, Christine, which previously emerged as a film in 1981.

Christine told all about her Mom’s abusive behavior and harsh management of her family. It seems she could be a bitch with a bite. Directed by Jennifer Alice Acker with choreography by Precious West and music direction by Holt McCarley the show delves deeply in family matters and what really does matter.

Emily Nedvidek comes on as Joan, and Abby Holland plays Christine, while a cast of 14 more share the space at a holiday time that isn’t what most of the characters might have wished for.
A typical Out Front production where the production values must exceed 100%, and they do.

Easy parking, especially if you get there a bit early, plenty of goodies for sale, and a couple of hours that draw you in, in every scene. After all, if you are one of the casting couch gals who makes it big time, you want to be a star on Rodeo Drive.

More info and tickets at OutFrontTheatre.com

Honky Tonk Angels
Art Station Theatre
through December 18, 2022

If y’all ain’t seen no Holidaze shows, or even if you have……. you’ll really enjoy heading to Stone Mountain and taking in the Holiday Spectacular brought to you at the Hillbilly Heaven Club, onstage by four right-good singers, Aretta Baumgartner, Liza Jaine, Erin North and Keena Redding.

Directed by David Thomas with the band on stage, they sing and dance their way through lots of scenes, including a new nativity. Patrick Hutchison is on the keys and also musical director with Jonathan Pace on the drums and Andrew Lastrapes on guitar.

This is one where you may be sitting in an audience but it really can feel as you are in the club facility in some good-old-boy haunt. Easy to get to, all seats good views, plenty of goodies and free parking. Don’t get much better than that. More info and tickets at ArtStation.org

Y’allmark Christmas
Horizon Theatre
through December 23, 2022

This one certainly is not grandma’s standard for a holiday show; nor one for the kiddies who hope to see reindeer landing on the roof and a chubby chap in a red suit. Amber Nash and Topher Payne got together to create this holiday improve show. The premise is that Topher, who you see onstage as the playwright/director has to work on a script he hopes to shoot.

Each night a trio of improvisors take the stage. They could be Freddy Boyd, Kevin Gillese, Eve Krueger (who is co-producer in real life with Lisa Adler), Amber Nash, Jamila Porter, Joshua Quinn, or one of the couple of understudies.

And just in case you think it may be easy to handle the plot as it develops; know that a special guest actor from Horizon or Dad’s Garage shows up every night. Maybe Topher and Lisa know who may be coming to intrude; but most of us don’t

The audience cracks up as the talented cast manage to work through whatever Topher sets in front of them as a glitch. It’s a couple of hours where you can’t help but laugh your way through it. It’s kind of like trying to make sense of what comes out of the mouths of politicians these days.

Plenty of free parking and all seats with good views. More info and tickets at HorizonTheatre.com

Christmas Canteen 2022
Aurora Theatre
through December 23, 2022

Ho, Ho, Ho, . . . the Christmas Canteen is back in town. The seasonal delight is directed by Katie Erin Chambers featuring Russell Alexander II, Galen Crawley, Cole Ferguson, James Allen McCune, Isa Martnez, Kari Twyman (also as choreographer), Juan Carlos Unzueta and Jalise Wilson.

With the live band on stage under the direction of Ann-Carol Pence on the keyboard, the gang sings and dances heir way through many numbers. Some relate to fairy tales and some to just living a daily life. The point being that it is an evening of lovely entertaining songs and dance, and plenty of costume changes, albeit you won’t see reindeer landing on the roof, nor the kiddies in a snow ball fight.

It’s just clean, fun, faminly seasonal entertainment in Lawrenceville. Great venue. More info and tickets always showing up st AuroraTheatre.com,