In addition to four variations on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (see related story on E10), several other Christmas and family productions are also opening in the region, including James Arrington's new comedy, "The Farley Family Xmas," Promised Valley Playhouse's "The Gift of Christmas" and Pages Lane Theatre's "Joseph and Mary: A Love Story," among others.
- "THE FARLEY FAMILY XMAS" - Newcomers to Utah may not be very familiar with this wild collection of hilarious relatives, who just keep tumbling out of a somewhat disjointed family tree, but there are legions of fanatics who just can't get enough of the far-fetched Farley foibles.The family has had countless summer runions - but what about Christmas?
Playwright/actor James Arrington rectifies that oversight this season by inviting audiences into Parley Farley's expansive mansion for the holidays.
Arrington is quick to point out that the "Xmas" usage is intentional - to distance this free-wheeling comedy from the more traditional Christmas fare around.
Arrington is hauling out some familiar Farleys and a few new ones as well, including Queezie Dean's brother, Lonnie Jack, a Texas dude who's seeing the family one more time before traveling on to an army assignment; Delbert, a little boy who plays the kazoo, and the Crafts Lady, who creates Christmas gifts from everyday household items.
Arrington is also holding a "Farley Family Xmas Ornament Contest," inviting elementary schoolchildren to create ornaments for the Farleys' tree.
"We'll hang every one of them all over the theater - anywhere we have space, and winners will get free tickets to the show," said the actor/playwright.
There will also be contests during each performance - one with awards to those with birthdays closest to Christmas and the other for those who come dressed in the best holiday costumes (elves . . . Christmas trees, etc.).
Performances will be Mondays and Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Queen Theatre, 460 W. 500 South, Bountiful (two blocks east of the 500 South I-15 exit). Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 on the day of the show, with group rates available. Ticket outlets include Temple View Book & Tape in Bountiful and Fernwood's Chocolates, adjacent to the theater. To purchase tickets with a credit card call 1-800-254-5483. For further information, call 532-5339.
- "JOSEPH AND MARY, A LOVE STORY" is a warm and intimate look at the courtship of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph, the holy infant's earthly guardian.
The musical drama is adapted from the biblical drama of the first Christmas. It was written and directed by Ralph G. Rodgers, who has written more than 20 other productions for the LDS Church, mostly during his previous times as manager of Promised Valley Playhouse and the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Most roles are double-cast, including David Marsden and David Peterson as Joseph, Emily Shaffer and Elizabeth Noyes as Mary, and Chris Brown and Meredith Gibson as Mary's mother.
Phil Edmunds will portray Mary's father in all performances.
"Joseph and Mary" will play Mondays and Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, with one matinee at 3:30 p.m. on the closing Saturday. Admission ranges from $6 to $8. Group rates are available. For reservations, call 298-1302. The theater is located at 292 E. Pages Lane, Centerville. Also playing at the Pages Lane Theatre is . . .
- "THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER," the classic comedy about the rambunctious Herdman boys and the impact they have on a community's Christmas play. It will be presented on Saturdays at noon, Nov. 25 through Dec. 23. All sets are $4.
As an added treat (for a nominal extra fee) a limited number of guests will be able to have lunch on Saturday afternoons with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, along with guided tours of the theater, prizes, gifts and special musical numbers.
- "THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS" starring Robert Peterson, is back by popular demand at the Promised Valley Playhouse.
Peterson again portrays the famous Innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away on that historic first Christmas - then he meets a modern-day family and learns the signficance of that special birth that is still celebrated nearly 2,000 years later by millions of Christians around the globe.
The Innkeeper's journey takes him from Santa's workshop to the streets of Dickensian London and into the land of The Nutcracker in a story that ranges from the hills of Bethlehem to the ice rinks of Salt Lake City.
Directed by Randy Boothe, the production includes music by Michael McLean (who also collaborated with Boothe).
With a montage of sights, sounds, songs and stories of Christmas, the production is similar in concept to the spectacular Radio City Music Hall holiday extravaganzas.
Except there are no Rockettes.
Performances are Tuesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 22, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 19, 16 and 20-22. Tickets range from $7 to $14, with a $1 discount for groups of 20 or more, for matinees and for senior citizens. Box office hours are from 9 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Tickets may be charged to Visa or MasterCard by calling 364-5696.
- THE VALLEY CENTER PLAYHOUSE in Lindon is also presenting "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," with performances on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 20-Dec.20. The show is alternating with "Christmas in Coloradod" (playing Thursdays-Saturdays).
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students, children and senior citizens and $20 per family. Group rates are also available. Call 785-1186 for reservations.