'Magi' at YSRAC; theater gears up for the holidays
Borgamaria Lyric Opera is now being presented with "The Gift of the Magi" at 7:30 p.m. at the Lee Burrows Center for the Arts in Marysville, and will continue to do so until Nov. 15.
This inspired story was written by O. Henry in the early 1900s.
It's about Jim and Della Dillingham of New York City, who find themselves on their first Christmas Eve together as husband and wife with no money for presents to share. Instead they share true love.
O. Henry used the Biblical magi as models. The "magi" were advisers to emperors who searched the night skies, interpreting every heavenly movement as a sign to their kings about how best to conduct the affairs of the empire.
Now this is not the ordinary version. This is an opera, according to Joaquina Johnson of the YSRAC.
O. Henry wrote it in one night with his editor sleeping in the sofa waiting for the manuscript, she related.
Shows are at 7:30 p.m. today and Nov. 13 and 14.
There are also shows at 3 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 15.
Tickets are $25 general; $15 for YSRAC members, students, seniors, military; and children are $5.
The Sunday matinees are $10 for everyone, press releases promise. You can pick up your tickets at Amicus Books in downtown Marysville, Yuba City Florist and at the YSRAC office.
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In the walk-up to the holiday season several area theater companies and producers are preparing shows appropriate to the season.
"Who Killed Santa Claus?" opens Nov. 27 at The Acting Company. Written by Terence Feely, this production is directed by Gail Carter.
Feely is a British writer who did some television shows, including "The Avengers." He also did vaudeville. "Who Killed Santa Claus?" was first published in 1970.
The play is about Barbara Love, the host of a popular children's television show. She suspects someone is trying to kill her. She invites all the suspects to her annual Christmas Eve party to find out who it is.
Carter notes that this is not your typical Christmas fare. Due to the language and subject matter, it is not recommended for patrons under 13.
The TAC production closes Dec. 20. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15, and are available online or at the box office.
TAC is located at 815 B St., Yuba City.
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Fifty students of Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts Introductory Drama classes will present "A Night of Mystery" — another innocent dinner party that suddenly becomes a crime scene with 20 possible suspects. (So few crimes, so many suspects!)
The mystery unfolds as an omniscient Hercule Poirot-like inspector grapples with the baffling murder case.
It runs at 7 p.m. Friday and Nov. 14; and at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Marysville Community Auditorium, 1919 B St., Marysville, CA 95901.
It's suitable for all ages, principal John Pimentel assured. Tickets are $5 for everyone.
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On the brighter side, area writer-producer-director John Trent has in "A Mother Goose Carol" the revered Mother Goose getting tired of the all frustration surrounding the holiday season and turning her back on her favorite holiday.
Will her nursery rhyme characters help Mother Goose recover her Christmas spirit? That's the mystery.
The Magic Theater production show runs Dec. 5 to Dec. 19, with shows scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17. Shows on Saturdays are at 1 and 3 p.m.
Betsy Johnson plays Mother Goose; Kevin Heller is Little Blue Boy; Julian Barkley-Brinson is Jack; and Darien Torrison plays Jill.
Joshua Victorina plays Simple Simon; Courtney Williams is Granny Goose; Brady Mallory plays Little Miss Muffet; and Dan Salamone is Old King Cole.
Mice one, two and three are Holly Trent, Amelia Condrey and Feliciana Barkley-Brinson, respectively.
Box office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and a half hour before show times.
Award-winning journalist and author Tom Nadeau has written for and acted on stage, screen, radio and television. Write to him at theaterland @gmail.com.
