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12/02/2020 11:01 PMA Radio Play on Stage: You may have seen the move It’s a Wonderful Live many times, but have you seen the live radio play? You should. MTC in Norwalk is presenting it either in person or live stream from Friday, Dec. 11 to Sunday, Dec. 20. A 1940s radio station has assembled actors and sound effect people to present the classic story on the radio. For tickets, visit musictheaterofct.com.
Holiday Laughs: TheaterWorks is promising that its streaming production of Xmas on the Rocks will have some surprises. This is both a funny and heartwarming look at the adult lives of children who were famous for their appearances in holiday classics. It streams through Thursday, Dec. 31. Visit twhartford.org.
A More Serious Work: Playhouse on Park is streaming All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 from Wednesday, Dec. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 3. You can purchase access by contacting playhouseonpark.org. This work, which was filmed outdoors, reinforces the true meaning of Christmas.
Anne: Anne of Green Gables, the new musical that was scheduled for Goodspeed this year (and is now scheduled for next), has released a concept recording with nine tracks. It features a modern pop-rock score by Matte O’Brien and Matt Vinson. It’s available where you purchase music.
New Holiday TV Shows: Netflix is presenting three new holiday movies, two of which are musicals. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey stars Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose and featuring songs by John Legend and others. Christmas on the Square stars Christine Baranski, Dolly Parton, and Jenifer Lewis. Parton wrote the songs. Finally, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker spotlights Debbie Allen and a group of young dancers as they prepare for her production of The Nutcracker.
A Modern Christmas Carol: Estrella Scrooge: A Christmas Carol with a Twist, a new musical with some very experienced talent is streaming now. In this version, Estrella is a modern-day descendant of Ebenezer and a Wall Street tycoon. As usual she is haunted by three ghosts and discovers the real meaning of Christmas. Tickets are at Ticketmaster.com.
More Christmas Carols: At least two other Christmas Carol productions will stream. The Old Vic production that was on Broadway last year will be available Saturday, Dec. 12 to Thursday, Dec. 24. For tickets, visit www.oldvictheatre.com. Jefferson Mays will star in a one-man adaptation through Sunday, Jan. 3. Check AChristmasCarolLive.com for tickets.
Hallmark Spoof: It was bound to happen, a musical spoof of those Hallmark Christmas movies. Undertaking Christmas, a new musical, will stream on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8. Nick Holliday returns to his hometown of Sadness, Indiana to save a family funeral home from closing on the night before Christmas. Sounds like a hoot! For tickets, visit stellartickets.com.
Another Spoof: The Who’s Holiday! is a solo show about a middle-aged Cindy Lou Who preparing to host a Christmas Eve party. Life hasn’t turned out as she planned. It’s streaming free through Tuesday, Dec. 16 on BroadwayCares.org. Donations are requested.
Holiday Music: Kelli O’Hara, the Tony Award winning musical star is busy. On Monday, Dec. 14, she’ll be on PBS in Tabernacle Choir with Kelli O’Hara. She will also be part of Brickman for Broadway Christmas, which is now available.
Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident. To check out her reviews for New York and Connecticut shows, visit 2ontheaisle.wordpress.com. She’s a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle and the American Theatre Critics Association.