PALMDALE – The Palmdale Playhouse, located at 38334 10th St. East in Palmdale, has announced its 2016 fall lineup, which features art, music, dance, stage productions and holiday fun.
ART
Leading things off will be the Generations Art Exhibit, which will run from Friday, Sept. 23, through Monday, Nov. 7, in the Playhouse Gallery. The exhibit will open with a free reception on Sept. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., at both the Playhouse and Legacy Commons for Active Seniors. The opening will include live music, beverages and light snacks, and the exhibit will feature the best of local artists, with the winners of the Generations juried art competition announced and prizes awarded at the Playhouse at 7:30 p.m.
“Stop by to view local art, get acquainted with the artists and see who wins the juried art competition,” stated Palmdale Recreation Supervisor Annie Pagliaro.
COMEDY
Returning for an encore performance, the Ambassador of Americana Charles Phoenix will bring his Retro Disneyland Slide Show to the Playhouse on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. Phoenix’s laugh-out-loud comedy takes you back in time when Disneyland, the granddaddy of all theme parks, was new.
With his keen expertise, eagle eye for oddball detail and joyous enthusiasm, Phoenix lavishes fun and fact-filled commentary of the very best of his colorful collection of ‘found’ Kodachrome slides taken in Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Main Street USA in the ’50s and 60s. Phoenix also showcases Freedomland USA, the ill-fated Disneyland-wannabe theme park in New York City, plus over-the-top Disneyland area themed-motels, and much more. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under. This show is expected to sell out, so get tickets early.
STAGE
Switching from comedy to the stage, the Palmdale Repertory Theatre will present The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14, 15, 21 and 22, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 23, at 2 p.m.
The production features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. She confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for students, seniors, military and $12 for children 12 and under.
SANTA CLAUS
The Palmdale Playhouse’s 2016 Holiday Extravaganza begins with a Holiday Open House with Santa. St. Nick will meet and greet attendees on Tuesdays, Nov. 22 and 29; Dec. 6 and 13, from 3 to 8 p.m., and Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission is free. Photos with Santa are $5 and include a complimentary photo frame gift pack. “With the Playhouse decorated for the season, this is a perfect time to give yourself a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and experience the sights, sounds and scents of the season,” Pagliaro stated. “We’ll also have complimentary refreshments for you to enjoy.”
On Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., there will be live carolers and refreshments as part of the second annual Singalong with Santa. Santa’s elves will help kids handcraft special keepsakes, then attendees will join Santa and The Sunday Night Singers for an interactive performance. Tickets are $6 and include a souvenir songbook to use during the show.
DANCE
Dance comes to the forefront on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 and 7 p.m., as the Palmdale Junior Ballet and Theater Dance present The Nutcracker Story and Christmas Celebration. The toymaker Herr Drosselmeyer will tell the enchanting tale of Clara and her Nutcracker in The Nutcracker Story Ballet. Palmdale Junior Ballet will present an abridged version featuring dancing toys, mischievous mice, waltzing flowers and sparkling snowflakes. Palmdale Theatre Dance will celebrate the season with music, featuring “Hey Santa Claus,” “Silent Night,” “Christmas Party” and “No Christmas For Me.”
Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under.
MUSIC
Music finishes up the 2016 Holiday Extravaganza, led by a rousing concert by The Tony Capko Rockin’ Holiday Big Band on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. The concert combines the excitement of a modern day big band with high energy sounds of the season. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under.
Next on tap is a Cozy Smooth Jazz Holiday on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under.
Attendees can purchase tickets for both the Cozy Smooth Jazz Holiday and The Tony Capko Rockin’ Holiday Big Band at a discounted price of $25 for adults and $19 for students, seniors, military and children 12 and under.
The West Coast Classical Beginning Strings, Beginning Band and Jazz Combo will present a Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children 12 and under.
On Friday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m., the West Coast Classical Flute Choir, Saxophone Choir, Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra present Making Spirits Bright. Comic character Charlie Brown is remembered in this musical montage of holiday favorites, including “Christmas Time Is Here,” “O Tannenbaum,” “Skating,” and “Linus and Lucy.” Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children 12 and under.
The West Coast Classical Concert and Symphonic Orchestras will present Sounds of the Holidays on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Mendelssohn’s Italian “Symphony No 4 in A Minor” is included, along with many orchestral holiday classics. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children 12 and under.
Tickets for all Palmdale Playhouse events may be purchased online at www.cityofpalmdale.org/playhouse, or at the Box Office beginning two hours before each show, at 38334 10th St. East. For more information, call 661-267-5684.
[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]
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