A Christmas Carol
Alliance Theatre
through December 24, 2023

They’re Back! What would the holidaze be without that grumpy Scrooge (Andrew Benator) and that poor bookkeeper with the tiny son. You’ve seen the story on screen and stage and it’s usually pretty much the same; like the mean old boss, and the three ghosts who come to visit. This one has been adapted somewhat so that you feel the breadth of the population in London in those days and what was going on when the Luddite’s started to rise up.

Can a meanie change? You betcha….. but this one may be more for the older folks than for the very young kiddies, as they may get a little lost in what transpires in the play adapted from Charles Dickens by David H. Bell and with a large cast directed by Caitlin Hargraves. Some of the set has been used before and one of the ghosts returns as previously seen. But, the basic story remains as first written. It is never too late to make more proper choices as you travel life’s path.

Performed on a superb set and every seat with good views, it’s on the Coca-Cola Stage. On site parking available and easy to get to by car or Marta. Show runs about 2 hours 20 minutes with one intermission. More info and tickets at AllianceTheatre.org

ECHO
Cirque du Soleil
through January 21, 2024

They’re back in town, performing again in their Grande Chapiteau downtown at Atlantic Station. If you’ve been a fan of Cirque du Soleil, then you know that the stories are always not quite what you would anticipate, and the acts are far better than any other performance you might watch.

This one is not your usual show. Mukhtar Omar Sharif Mukhtar has written and choreographed this epic show, with a creative team that has brought it to fruition. With a cast of dozens of characters the show is almost totally fully acrobatic. With world-class athletes working every act, and never a safety net in sight, it is a spur to your energy as you try to comprehend how they manage to do this.

The cast come from many different areas of Europe, Africa, Asia and even a few from North America. It’s one that Barnum & Bailey could never have dived into. And the set looks at first like a giant cube. But that’s the exterior and Rubik never could have imagined one like this.

You may have seen many a theatrical production; but you have never see one quite as captivating as this one. Easy to get do, plenty of parking and all seats with a really good view. For a great few hours with the kids, be they from 6 to 106, you’ll love it. For more info and tickets visit their website at cirquedusoleil.com/echo

Rigoletto
Atlanta Opera
through November 12, 2023

Giuseppi Verdi told folks that he thought Rigoletto was his best opus. And, if you attend the Atlanta Opera’s presentation of it; you’ll have no doubt as to his comments. The Opera’s artistic director, Tomer Zvulun directs this huge cast of players, starring George Gagnidze as Rigoletto; a role he has sung with great bravado in more than 100 venues around the world. Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda, (Jasmine Habersham) is the object of his devotion in a way that doesn’t always work out so well. He may be overly-protective. C;est la vie!

With a principal ast of 12 players, the total number of players is many times that number with a huge live orchestra and more than 20 of the male voices of the Opera Chorus who appear onstage in the production. Not that thy all overpower the effect of the clowns. Like many deeply plotted shows, this one deals with human relationships and reactions. And there may be a silent suggestion that revenge, per se, if obtained by reaction, may not always be as satisfying as one may have hoped for. But, that’s life, . . . is it not?

The production is world class and closes mid-month. They are playing at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Cumberland. Leave some extra time to fight your way along 75, 285 and/or 400. Traffic is terrible week nights but eases on weekends. For sets and more info visit their website at AtlantaOpera.org

The PROM
Out Front Theatre
through November 11, 2023

Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin were entranced by the book that Chad had co-authored with Bob Martin, about a high school in Indiana that got into a load of aggravation over running a prom where they did not want and gay folks included.

A splendid cast of 18 players come forth as students and their families, all under the direction of Caty Bergmark, with superb singing and dancing through 18 explosive numbers. If you think about families you may know, or belong to, this one will really resonate with your senses; as so many people who are homophobic may also be not quite that bright. Think about it. Gay folks don’t hate others predicated upon their sexual preferences; whereas so many of them good old folks have a ton of trouble with people they can’t understand. Alas, our population is like the world at large. Those of us who have been around a lot know that the more you know people of different backgrounds, the less inclined you may be to kill them; . . . unless you want to go to war.

This is an exceptionally well done production at Out Front Theatre, and every seat in the house has great views. It may not be for the kiddies; but you will enjoy it fully. More info and tickets at OutFrontTheatre.com