In addition to the plethora of "Christmas Carols" opening in the region and Promised Valley Playhouse's third annual edition of "The Gift of Christmas," several other productions are also opening on stages in the area this week.
- BOILERMAN: A CHRISTMAS STORY, an original play by Jack Lambson, will premiere Friday, Nov. 26, at the Vine Street Theater in Murray.
Directed by Dave Huber, it will play in repertory with the Pages Lane Theater's production of "It's A Wonderful Life" through the end of December (see item below for details on the Pages Lane show).
"Boilerman: A Christmas Story" is a multifaceted drama about an elementary school janitor, a forlorn gent who feels he has no reason to live, then gets caught up in a situation that could affect Christmas for years to come.
The cast includes Rodney Johnston, Edward Ellingson, Shannon Sipe, Darin Hunt, Kimberly Duke, Toni Schmidt, Jim Platt, Howard Kempton, Roger Lambson and Randall Clark.
Huber is drama instructor at the Mount Vernon Academy, a private school housed in a former LDS Church meetinghouse. The Vine Street Theatre is located in the chapel section of the historic building.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26-27, with additional performances Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 22, and the week of Dec. 27-31. All seats are $6. For reservations, contact the Vine Street Theatre box office at 269-8080. The theater is located at 184 E. Vine St. (about 4950 South just east of State Street).
- BABES IN TOYLAND, Victor Hubert's storybook operetta, opens an 11-performance run at City Rep on Saturday, Nov. 27.
Adapted and directed by Joanne M. Parker, the cast includes Amy Richardson, Shellie Waters, Collyn Kreuzer, Michael Fox, Owen Richardson, John Gagnier, Michael Canham, Jennifer Krebs, John Peterson, Kristy Spencer, Laura Alsop, Emilie Hales, Michelle Egli, Katie Barnes, Clarissa Lassig, Thomas Marcus, Natalie Killpack, Holly Sheen, Tobi Blanchard and Jennie Godfrey.
Evening playdates are Nov. 27 and 29 and Dec. 3, 9, 11, 13, 17, 27 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and 18. The production is playing in repertory with "Child of Bethlehem."
Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $4.75 for children. All seats are reserved. For reservations, call 532-6000. The theater is located at 638 S. State.
- IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, which recently premiered at the Pages Lane Theatre in Centerville, is being moved to the Vine Street Theater for 14 more performances.
The same double-cast ensembles from the PLT run will be performing on the Vine Street stage, including Russ Anderson, Steve Evans, Diane Hall and DeeAnn Blair alternating in the roles of George and Mary Bailey.
For reservations, contact the Pages Lane Theater at 298-1302 (not the Vine Street Theater).
Playdates for this production will be 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and Dec. 2-4, 6, 9-11, 13, 16-18, 20 and 23, in repertory with Vine Street's new production of "Boilerman: A Christmas Story."
- TOP GIRLS, an "adult" social comedy/fantasy about women and politics, will be presented Nov. 23-Dec. 4 in the Monson Theatre of Weber State University's Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts, Ogden. It is written by Caryl Churchill ("Cloud Nine").
Director Robin Wilks-Dunn said the play takes "a stand against the Margaret Thatchers and Ronald Reagans of the world."
The cast includes Jodi Longstroth, A.J. D'Agostino, Amber Dawn Smith, Rebecca Hess, Holly Fowers, Kelly Collett and Laura Fisher.
The play contains strong subject matter and possibly offensive language. It is not recommended for children.
Performances are Nov. 23, 26 and 30 and Dec. 1, 2 and 4 at 7:30 p.m., with one matinee on Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. Following the Dec. 2 performance there will be an open forum to discuss the political and social implications of the play. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. For reservations, call the Dee Events Center box office at 626-8500. Other outlets are the Shepherd Union building at WSU, the Thornton Community Center at Hill AFB, the Golden Spike Arena office and at Ogden City Mall.
- THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, one of the most popular family comedies ever written for the season , will run Saturdays at noon and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, Ogden, with additional daily matinees the week after Christmas, Dec. 27-31.
Steve Shupe is directing the show.
The theater is located at 99 E. 4700 South (Washington Terrace). For ticket information, contact the box office at 393-0070.