By George Basler
the holiday season is filled with annual performances from local arts organizations. From pop and classical music to holiday-themed plays, the schedule is a full one designed to heighten your holiday spirit whatever your tastes.
Last week, Broome Arts Mirror began highlighting some of those performances. We conclude today with events for Dec. 7-11 and Dec. 14-17.
Cider Mill Stage: ‘A Christmas Carol’
As much a part of the holiday season as a bowl of wassail or a feast of roast goose and flaming brandy pudding, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will return to the Cider Mill Stage for its 42nd year.
The original production debuted in 1979, adapted by John Bielenberg, a Binghamton University professor. Susan J. Peters and Ken Martinak provided original music. To quote Cider Mill Stage’s website, Bielenberg’s adaptation “infused the Dickens tale with warm and unique qualities that brought joy to generations of theatregoers and have kept the production timeless.”
This year’s production, which runs Dec. 8-17, will feature veteran actor Chris Nickerson as Scrooge. Nickerson has acted in numerous productions across the region.
“A Christmas Carol is always a big hit, with many of the performances selling out,” said Kate Murray, executive director of BLAST (Bold Local Artists of the Southern Tier), which is staging the production.
“It’s an honor to share this cherished local holiday tradition with our audiences. Our version of A Christmas Carol is a great show for children of all ages,” she noted.
IF YOU GO: Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 and 17 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at Cider Mill Stage, 2 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott. Tickets are $28 (12 and under, $20) at https://cidermillstage.thundertix.com.
Vienna Boys Choir at BU
The world-famous Vienna Boys Choir will perform “Christmas in Vienna’ at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 7) at Binghamton University’s Anderson Center for the Performing Arts.
The choir is one of the best- known boys’ choirs in the world. The boys, ages nine t0 14, are divided into four touring choirs. Combined the choirs perform about 300 concerts each year.
The choir’s holiday concert features Austrian folk songs, classical pieces and Yuletide favorites.
IF YOU GO: Tickets for the Vienna Boys Choir are listed as $10 to $60 on the Anderson Center website. They are available at http://www.anderson.binghamton and the Anderson Center box office (607-777-ARTS).
Binghamton Downtown Singers: ‘Messiah’
The Binghamton Downtown Singers and Orchestra’s traditional holiday season presentation of a (nearly complete) Handel’s Messiah will be Saturday (Dec. 9) at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, 308 Main St., Johnson City. The full oratorio covers not only Jesus’ birth but His passion and resurrection.
Interim Artistic Director Robert J. Manners will conduct the concert featuring soprano Martha Guth, mezzo-soprano Dawn Pierce, tenor Vale Rideout and baritone Steven Stull. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.downtownsingers.org.
IF YOU GO: General admission tickets are $20 at www.downtownsingers.org/tickets, 607-205-8741, tickets@downtownsingers.org or at the door. One student is admitted free for each paid adult
Bill Carter and the Presbybop Christmas Eve Band will present Jingle Jazz at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Schorr Family Firehouse Stage, 48 Willow St., Johnson City.
Presbybop Music is a musical venture of Bill Carter, a jazz pianist and Presbyterian minister who wanted to integrate his strong Presbyterian faith with the rhythms of bebop. The musical group has presented concerts and jazz worship services in churches and venues around the country. They’ve recorded 11 compact discs to date.
This special edition Presbybop Christmas Eve Band presents annual holiday concerts featuring holiday jazz hits.
IF YOU GO: Tickets for Jingle Jazz are $17 at www.firehousestage.org or at 607-772-2404.
The concert, “Winter Wonderland,” will feature “Merry Christmas” from the movie Home Alone 2; “’Twas the Night before Christmas.” narrated by NewsChannel 34’s Jim Ehmke; selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite; Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride”; Strauss’ “Radetsky March”; Mason’s “Christmas Eve Festivities,” and Blake’s “The Snowman” with an encore performance by treble soloist Luca Thomas.
The program will conclude with a rousing Christmas sing-along with Tri-Cities Opera resident artists.
IF YOU GO: Winter Wonderland adult ticket prices are $25, $35, $45, $55, and $65. Student rush tickets are 50 percent off with a student ID. Go to the www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org or call the box office at 607-723-3931. Children 17 and under get in for free, courtesy of Visions Federal Credit Union, the Philharmonic’s season sponsor. Call the box office for free kids’ tickets.
EPAC: ‘The Nutcracker’
The Endicott Performing Arts Center will present The Nutcracker ballet in partnership with FUSE Dance Center of Binghamton the weekend of Dec. 14-17.
In addition to classical ballet, the performances with feature tap and acro dance. Performers from the EPAC Repertory Company will do the first act, and dancers from FUSE will do the second.
IF YOU GO: Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A Sunday matinee is at 3 p.m. All tickets are $22 and are available at www.endicottarts.com or by calling 607-785-8903.
Tri Cities Opera
You can bring a holiday performance to you. Tri-Cities Opera’s resident artists are available Dec. 7-17 in Binghamton and other Southern Tier communities to provide a 25- to 30-minute programs of holiday carols. If you are interested in having TCO come to your event or organization, email TCO’s Cate Berger at bravofund@tricitiesopera.org.
