Presentations showcasing two of the region's best-known storytellers -- Michael Jesse Bennett and Mark Gollaher, a touring company's one-night stand of a well-known children's story ("Ramona Quimby") and such traditional events as "The Rented Christmas" in Draper and "December Duet" in Cedar City are on this week's list of new theatrical offerings.
"IMAGES AND IMAGINATION," featuring actor and master storyteller Mark Gollaher, brings an evening of stories and song to Brigham Young University's Pardoe Drama Theatre stage.In addition to such roles as Lancelot in "Camelot," Rochester in 'Jane Eyre: the Musical," Zack in "A Chorus Line" and Aram in "Beast on the Moon," Gollaher has also become a regular at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and Salt Lake City's popular First Night celebration.
Using his considerable acting talents along with vocal modulations and what can only be called "facial gymnastics," Gollaher actually becomes the stories he tells, transforming himself into each character.
Part of BYU's Entr'Acte series, performances of "Images and Imagination" will be at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9-12. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for BYU students and faculty. For reservations, call 378-4322.
MICHAEL JESSE BENNETT is bringing his popular "An Evening With Dickens -- A Christmas Carol" to the Social Hall in Pioneer Trail State Park's Old Deseret Village as part of the park's annual Candlelight Christmas celebration.
Activities throughout the village will run from 6 until 9 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays.
Bennett's one-man portrayal of Dickens will be presented at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., with an 8:30 p.m. show added, depending on the number of patrons. The "Evening With Dickens" presentations and all other activities, including sleigh rides (wagon rides if there's no snow) and guided tours, are included in the admission to the park.
"Every Christmas, Old Deseret Village focuses on one year. This season it's 1868, the year Ulysses S. Grant was elected president . . . and Dickens came to America to read his 'A Christmas Carol' and other stories," Bennett said.
"He never came to Salt Lake City -- but he will this year," Bennett said, who has been performing his one-man Dickens show for 28 years, replicating the author reading his own work.
Admission to the celebration is $8 for adults and $6 for children and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the main entrance, 2801 Sunnyside Ave. (mouth of Emigration Canyon). For further information, call 584-8391.
"A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS," a program of poetry, prose and music, will be presented on Friday, Dec. 11, only by the Babcock Performing Readers in the Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane (located in Reservoir Park, just above 1300 East between South Temple and 100 South).
Featured performers will include Bryan Gardner, Beth Harris, Dick Anderson and Brian Fetzer, under the direction of Shirlee Shields.
BPR presents readers' theater program on the second Thursday of each month from September through May. There is no charge for admission.
"THE RENTED CHRISTMAS," a longtime yuletide favorite at the Draper Theater Playhouse, is back for a fifth season.
The musical revolves around John, a lonely bachelor who is inspired to stop into a rent-it shop -- and request to rent a Christmas.
The cast includes Steve English, Maurene English, Paul Roden and Nan McCulloch. Nancy McFall is directing.
The production includes five new musical numbers written by Bryan Linton and Kathryn England.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-12, 12, 14, 15, 17-19 and 21, with one matinee at 2 p.m. on Dec. 19. All seats are reserved. Tickets are $8 and $6 ($1 less on opening night only). The theater is located at 12366 S. 900 East. For reservations, call 572-4611.
"THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL," Hans Christian Andersen's classic fable of a lonely girl who finally finds peace and love in her grandmother's arms, will play at 7 p.m., Dec. 10-12 only, at the Murray Theatre, 4961 S. State.
The cast includes Caitlin Meyer in the title role with Greg Probst and Karli Martin as her parents and Ginnie Griffith as the grandmother.
Tickets for the Academy of Performing Arts production are $5 for adults and $4 for children, 10 and under. For reservations, call 265-2279 or 268-9400.
"DECEMBER DUET," an evening of drama and music with a Christmas theme, is scheduled for its fifth annual presentation on Monday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Randall L. Jones Theatre in Cedar City.
Performers include Douglas H. Baker (formerly with the Utah Shakespearean Festival and now playing Merlin in the Excalibur Hotel's "King Arthur's Tournament" in Las Vegas), Jack Miller, Christine Winterose, Ann Goddard, Steve Downs, the Master Singers, several children's choirs, the Southern Utah University Ballroom Dance Team . . . and Santa Claus. USF founder/executive director Fred C. Adams will host the event, along with Charles Metten, dean of SUU's College of Performing and Visual Arts.
There will also be a variety of holiday-related items and food available for sale. "December Duet" is a fund-raiser for the Shakespearean Festival.
Tickets, $8 each, are available at the theater box office or by calling 1-435-586-7878.
"RAMONA QUIMBY," adapted by Obie Award-winning playwright Len Jenkins from Beverly Clearly's book, is being presented by Theatreworks' productions at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S. Main, Logan.
Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $4.50 for children and students or $33.50 per family (two adults and up to five children/students). For reservations, call 1-435-752-0026.
"WINDING SHEET" (not "Winding Street" as published last week), will be presented as a staged reading at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Salt Lake Acting Company's Upstairs Theatre, 168 W. 500 North, as part of SLAC's New Play Sounding Series.
The free performance, directed by Barta Heiner, will include a post-play discussion with playwright Eric Samuelsen, the director and the cast.
Information on stage productions or auditions must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Compiled by Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News theater editor, 1-801-236-6017. Fax: 1-801-237-2550. Please do not send items via e-mail.