Thalian Hall is ringing in the holidays on the main stage.
The downtown theater house, 310 Chestnut St., is offering up seven festive productions and events, kicking off on Tuesday, Dec. 1 with “Swing’n The Holidays,” featuring The Jive Aces and The Satin Dollz.
The United Kingdom’s top jive and swing band bring a high-energy performance to the Port City. The Aces have performed for Her Majesty the Queen as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and for the London Olympics. They combine a mixture of fresh arrangements of swing, jive and R&B classics, with a selection of superb swinging originals.
Show times are 4 and 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $22 to $50.
Then, on Thursday, Dec. 3, New York’s Ballet for Young Audiences presents its enchanting adaptation of the iconic fairy tale, “Cinderella,” in a family-friendly production. The show gets underway at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20.
The ballet company sticks around for two performances of the time-honored tradition, “The Nutcracker,” at 4 and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and again at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. This one-hour narrated version of the much-loved Christmas tale is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $15-$20.
Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol,” comes alive–with a twist–beginning Thursday, Dec. 10. In the intimate Stein Theatre at Thalian Hall, The Theatre Exchange’s adaptation moves the story from London to Depression-era Hooverville on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri. Thalian Hall director Tony Rivenbark will reprise his role as Ebeneezer Scrooge.
The play runs Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 10 through Dec. 20, with a special Monday performance on Dec. 21. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with a 2 p.m. matinee each Sunday. Tickets are $25.
Also on Dec. 10, everyone’s favorite Auntie is back. “Mame” returns to the stage, with special tunes like, “It’s Today,” “Open a New Window,” “We Need a Little Christmas” and “That’s How Young I Feel.” Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20. Tickets are $15-$30.
Thalian holds its annual screening of Frank Capra’s holiday film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22. General admission is $10.
And you can celebrate the end of 2015 with the annual New Year’s Eve Gala beginning at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Presented by Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. and Cape Fear Theatre Arts, the evening includes dinner, drinks, dessert and a performance of the Broadway musical, “Memphis.”
After the show, welcome in 2016 with a live DJ, dancing and champagne toast. Tickets are $125.
For more information on these events, visit Thalian Hall’s website.
