Music, ballet, comedy, all playing this holiday season
Published in the November 22 – December 5, 2017 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Lana’s Dance Studio performers encourge families to enjoy their production of the classic Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker.”
Photo courtesy Lana’s Dance Studio
The holiday season is a special time for the performing arts in the South Valley. Residents will receive the gift of live and family-friendly entertainment options including a symphony concert promoting peace through music, several comic theater shows and not one but two Nutcracker ballets to entice those dreams of sugar plum ferries.
We encourage everyone who loves the arts to take some time away from the shopping activities and join family and friends to see one or two — or even all — of these shows produced by local residents for your entertainment.
Holiday Orchestra Music
The South Valley Symphony orchestra, under maestro conductor Anthony Quartuccio, will entertain audiences with holiday music with the “Peace Around the World” concert to be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Gavilan College Theater. In addition to music to celebrate the holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, the orchestra will perform the following key pieces: Symphony No. 2 — the “Romantic” by Howard Hanson; Behind Me Dips Eternity by local Saratoga-based composer, Henry Mollicone as a musical representation of the poem by Emily Dickinson; and Stille Nacht (Silent Night) based on the popular version by Mannheim Steamroller. Visit www.southvalleysymphony.org
Holiday Dance
The South Valley Dance Arts’ production of Tchaikovsky’s popular “The Nutcracker” ballet will be performed at Morgan Hill’s Ann Sobrato Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. It features more than 130 local dancers, primarily from Morgan Hill and Gilroy, who will transport the audience to a magical place filled with adorable children, marching toy soldiers, a growing Christmas tree, a giant Mother Ginger, mischievous rats, crystalline waltzing snowflakes, the Land of Sweets, and breathtaking costumes, sets and dancing. Visit www.southvalleydance.com to learn more or purchase tickets.
Lana’s Dance Studio will continue its popular holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” with performances 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Gavilan College Theater. The ballet is a wonderful way to introduce young people to the experience of dance. Tickets are available at BookSmart, Lana’s Dance Studio and at the theater. Visit lanasdancestudio.biz.
Holiday Theater Shows
South Valley Civic Theatre presents “Act One,” a comedy drama about the hit Broadway playwright Moss Hart’s relationship with his mentor, the quirky George Kaufman, while writing the show “Once an a Lifetime.”
The show depicts Hart in three stages of his life, including an ambitious young man learning the stage craft. Performances at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse will be held 8 p.m. Nov. 24, Nov. 25, Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 8, Dec. 9, and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. Visit www.svct.org.
Pintello Comedy Theater presents “Sylvia,” a show about a stray dog, played by Whitney Pintello, who turns the life of empty-nesters Greg and Kate upside down. Running since Nov. 10, the last two performances of the show will be held Nov. 24 and Nov. 25. The play contains strong language and might not be suitable for young children. It’s performed at the Gilroy Grange Hall at 8191 Swanton Lane. Visit www.pintellocomedy.com.
Limelight Theater presents the comedy “Inspecting Carol,” which takes a funny twist on Charles Dickens’ famous’ story “A Christmas Carol.” Tickets were available as of press deadline for the 8 p.m. Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 shows, but call ahead to see if tickets are still available. The show is performed at the Gilroy Center for the Arts in downtown Gilroy. Visit www.limelightactorstheater.com.
