One of the region's longest-running Christmas productions and two one-person productions, including a one-night-only appearance by film/TV actress Anna Deavere Smith, are among this week's highlights for theatergoers.

ANNA DEAVERE SMITH, hailed by Newsweek magazine as "the most exciting individual in American theater," will bring her one-woman show to Park City's Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, 1750 Kearns Blvd., for one performance at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Smith explores the issues of race, class, gender and community in "Snapshots: Glimpses of America in Transition."

The actress, best-known for her TV and film performances in "The West Wing," "The Practice," "Dave," "Philadelphia" and "The American President," describes her stage performances as being "like jazz . . . starting with a song we know and taking off in a million directions." Tickets range from $15-$50. Smith will also be signing her new book, "Talk to Me," following the performance. For reservations, call 435-655-3114.

"THE RENTED CHRISTMAS," a musical about a turn-of-the-century bachelor who impulsively procures an entire family from a rental shop for Christmas, is back for the seventh year in the Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 S. 900 East.

Directed by Nancy McFall, the cast includes Kevin Burtenshaw as the bachelor; Tricia Cunningham and Cecy Burtenshaw double-cast as Ann, the rent-it shop owner; Stephen McBridge as Briggs, the feisty butler; and Pat Prather and Maxine Summers, alternating as Martha, the maid.

Also in the cast are Tyson Johnson, Amber Eastman, Cassie Jensen, Cameron Marsden, Chase Reavely, Shyann Redd, Julie Reavely, Caithlyn Burtenshaw, Roselyn Woolfenden and Tat Christensen.

"The Rented Christmas" was first produced at Promised Valley Playhouse in 1972, then was moved to Temple Square for two years, after which the Draper Historic Theatre picked it up. Written by Norman Ahern, it was adapted into a musical four years ago by Kathryn England and Brian Linton.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m., Dec. 7-9, 11, 12, 14-16, 18 and 21, with one matinee on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $6 to $10. For reservations, call 572-4144.

"THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER," a holiday comedy revolving around a small church's annual Nativity program suddenly overtaken by the meanest kids in town, will play Dec. 8-31 in the Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main, Park City.

The Egyptian Theatre Company production is being directed by Jerry Rapier, with Kirt Bateman as musical director. The cast includes Kurt Proctor as Bob Bradley, Colleen Baum as Grace Bradley, and Paige Keiter and David Glenn as their children, Beth and Charlie, with Devin Adair, Hillary Mammen, Dylan Ragland, Rebecca Sands and Eliza Perkins as the Herdmans. Other cast members are Kirt Bateman as Rev. Hopkins, with Matt Mercereau, Hayden Yogman, Luz Violeta Gonzalez, Melissa Rasmussen, Chelsi Stahr, Gabrielle Dougherty, Jonathan Draxton, Cassie Palmacci, Alex Braden, Siena Palmacci, Elizabeth Braden and Janessa Colton in other roles.

Evening performances are Dec. 8 and 9, 14-16, 20-23 and 26-31, with curtain at 7:30 p.m. on weeknights and 8 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for students and senior citizens, and $10 for children. There will also be four matinees at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16, 23, 30 & 31. For reservations, call 435-649-9371 or 888-243-5779.

"ONE CHRISTMAS CAROL," Doug Baker's one-man adaptation of the Dickens classic, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 6 in the Randall Jones Theatre at Southern Utah University, Cedar City.

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Baker, who attended SUU and was involved in development of the Utah Shakespearean Festival's first Royal Feaste, is best known for his portrayal of the magical Merlin in the Excalibur Hotel's "Tournament of Kings" in Las Vegas — which he also created. Tickets are $7 each (or $2 for SUU students with valid activity cards). For reservations, call the box office at 435-586-7876. Baker is also bringing "One Christmas Carol" to Utah State University's Morgan Theatre in Logan on Dec. 14 and 15.

TWO MURDER MYSTERY DINNERS are scheduled this weekend: Hunt Mystery & Company's "Through the Window Glass" Dec. 7 at the Salt Lake Hilton, and Chameleons, the Whodunit Company's "Murder Under the Mistletoe" Dec. 7 (and also Dec. 15) at Snowbird Resort. Reservations are required for the former, with tickets $35 each, including dinner and audience participation mystery. Call 569-1482 for reservations.

Both performances of "Mistletoe" are sold out; call Snowbird at 800-742-2222 in case there are any cancellations.


Information on stage productions or auditions must be submitted at least three weeks in advance. Compiled by Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News theater editor, 1-801-236-6017. Send material to Deseret News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110 (Attn: Ivan Lincoln), or send it via e-mail: ivan@desnews.com or fax to 1-801-237-2550.

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