Holiday Cheer: Shows, concerts and sing-alongs

DURING THE HOLIDAYS, YOU CAN revisit music or theater you enjoyed as a child and share it with friends and family. Some shows are familiar while others are “variations on a theme.”

SIERRA MASTER CHORALE
Holiday Concerts, December 15-16
The Sierra Master Chorale’s Holiday Concerts have become a winter treat. Maestro Ken Hardin brings joy to the season with the 70-voice choir, accompanied by an exceptional orchestra. Featuring Lyra Dominguez, soloist for Poulenc Gloria. InConcertSierra.org

THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, December 1
The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. They have sung for two U.S. Presidents and are winners of five Grammy Awards. The Blind Boys’ shows are roof-raising musical events. TheCenterfortheArts.org

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS
Messiah Sing-Along, December 1
You can sing with the choir, or just listen, in this celebration of Handel’s glorious oratorio. MIM Choral Director Ryan Murray likens the evening to an “instant performance.” Scores will be provided.

Holiday Pops Concert, December 8-9
Murray leads the MIM Festival Chorale, accompanied by the fanfare of brass quintet and organ, in a program of delightful seasonal classics. The program also features the works of area composers Jerry Grant and Mark Vance, and the Foothill Children’s Chorus returns with their extraordinary talent. MusicintheMountains.org.

LEGACY PRODUCTIONS
Miracle on 34th Street and Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Back by popular demand, Miracle on 34th Street is the stage adaption of the novel by Valentine Davies (turned into the 1947 film classic starring Natalie Wood and Maureen O’Hara).

An all-star local cast features Jed Dixon (The Full Monty, Next to Normal and Andrews Sisters) as Kris Kringle. Opens Nov. 23, plays Thurs. 7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m. and Sun. matinees at 2 p.m. at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. Closes Dec. 30.

LeGacy also offers Every Christmas Story Ever Told at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley, directed by Scott Ewing.

Following the hit The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, also directed by Ewing, Every Christmas Story Ever Told features Jay Barker, Brandon Johnson and Tom Wolfe as actors who get stuck performing A Christmas Carol every year, because they need the work to keep their insurance. Nov. 30-Dec. 30. LeGacyPresents.com

Elly Award Winners
CATS (Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra) Sierra Stages and LeGacy Productions were all winners in the annual Elly Award ceremonies this fall.

CATS won four Elly awards for Teahouse of the August Moon, LeGacy won for I Hate Hamlet, and Sierra Stages won for A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

The Elly Awards celebrates excellence in Sacramento’s local and regional community theater.