”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’ll be much
mistletoeing and candles for glowing and songs of good cheer. It’s
the most wonderful time of the year!
”
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’ll be much mistletoeing and candles for glowing and songs of good cheer. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
The words of this popular holiday song always brings a smile to my face. Memories of choir concerts, dance recitals, holiday plays, “Jingle Bells”, Ebenezer Scrooge and the “Hallelujah Chorus”, enjoyed with family and friends, are traditions that I treasure and look forward to year after year.
This year, you won’t have to travel farther than Gilroy High School to enjoy “The Fabulous Frosted Follies”. This Communities Services sponsored production, written and directed by John Bisceglie, promises tradition, fun and glitz. With a cast of 82 performers ages 5 to 23, it is a fast paced singing and dancing salute to the holidays. The extravaganza will present the Grinch, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Santa and Mrs. Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, Suzie Snowflake, Tina Tinsel, Christmas Barbie, North Pole Live, Felice Navidad, Hanukah, a sing-a-long with the audience and more. The set, always amazing in a Bisceglie show, will feature 20-foot snowmen, 15-foot candy canes and an 8-foot gingerbread man. All this for the $13 ticket price looks to be a shoe-in for family fun.
Lacking a venue for his first holiday show, “Tour d’ Frost” in 1996, Bisceglie and company would pull up in parking lots around town and perform. Now, Bisceglie is able to realize his dream of the past 18 years. “Fabulous Frosted Follies” is his Las Vegas-style electric Christmas card to the community.
Bisceglie believes in giving kids not only the opportunity to perform on stage, but also teaching them responsibilities and goals. With this in mind, he grooms promising leaders who act as assistants, teaching the new crop of actors in the unique Bisceglie style. Jackie Moon, a Gilroy High School graduate, is presently acting as assistant director; Emily Dolph, a Gilroy High School senior, is acting as assistant choreographer; and Josh Fargher, another Gilroy High School senior who started performing in Bisceglie shows when he was 5, is acting as choreographer.
If you prefer a more intimate theater experienced with adult actors, be sure to reserve your seat for “Christmas Belles” at Pintello Comedy Theater. I sat in on a rehearsal and can’t wait to go back for another evening of hearty laughter and good fun. The costumes of Roz Farotte and Barbara Bottini really gave me a tickle as did Peter Mandel in red Santa pants and Ericka Rizzi in an orange jump suit. Christine Wanish with a Southern accent and attitude, Denee Lewis Bohnsack delivering monologues with the appropriate calm of a woman about to give birth, and Matt Haluza as the young, confused lover add to the mayhem of this holiday romp. Rounding out the cast are Deanna McGill, Valerie Vanni, Gary Glasspool and Rob Langford.
Just a few miles north, South Valley Civic Theater is offering “Bugsy Malone, Jr.” at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. Forty two children, grades two through eight, are dressed to the nines in this ’30s-style tongue and cheek gangster musical. Clever sets and costumes, and upbeat singing make this production perfect for the entire family. This one may sell out so don’t wait to get your tickets.
Also on deck is the annual Gilroy and Christopher High School winter choir concert, Dec. 8 and 9 at Christopher High School. Having an international theme, this year’s concert will culminate with “Carol of the Bells” and the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Your $5 includes international cookie treats after the show.
There is still time to buy a ticket for the Dec. 10 “Give the Gift of Art” fundraiser to benefit the Gilroy Kids Discover Arts events. Your $35 ticket includes tapas, wine, live music, entertainment, a silent auction and a raffle with a chance to win a stocked wine fridge with bottles signed by local Gilroy celebs. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the lives of Gilroy’s children with the gift of art.
Finally, for “Messiah” fans, Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill will host its annual Sing Along Messiah on Dec. 5. The Advent Chancel Choir together with the DeAnza College Orchestra invite you to sing along or simply listen and enjoy the music. Bring your own score if you can.
Enjoy a wonderful music filled holiday!
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‘Fabulous Frosted Follies’
Gilroy High School Theater
Friday Dec. 4 and 11 at 8 p.m.; Saturday Dec. 5 and 12 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday Dec. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m.
Details: (408) 846-0449
‘ChristmaS Belles’
Pintello Comedy Theater, 8191 Swanston Lane, Gilroy
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; through Dec. 12
Details: (408) 776-8004 or www.PintelloComedy.com
‘Bugsy Malone, Jr.’
Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill
Dec. 4, 11, 12 at 8 p.m.; Matinee Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Details: (408) 842-SHOW or www.svct.org
Gilroy and Christopher
High School annual
choir concerts
Christopher High School
Dec. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m.; $5 at the door
Annual Sing Along Messiah
Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave, Morgan Hill
Sat. Dec. 5, 7 p.m.; Free
‘Give the Gift of Art’
Lizarran Tapas Restaurant in Old City Hall, 7400 Monterey St., Gilroy
5:30 to 8 p.m.; $35
Details: (408) 842-2095
