Fairfield playwright Joe Landry’s take on Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life” brings the action to a radio station, where a group of performers come together to present the popular story. In Landry’s take, the audience not only gets to enjoy the story itself, but also the story of the performers telling the story. (You can see the film at the Bridgeport Library on Monday.)
Landry’s adaptation, which plays in Westport, on Saturday, has made its way across the country, with 100 theaters having staged it last year and 150 planning to stage it this year. The local production will serve as a benefit for the Music Theatre of Connecticut.
Other musical events are planned to celebrate the holidays, including a community carol sing-along in Bridgeport, a benefit concert in Danbury, a Hanukkah concert, a show by Debbie Gravitte, a candlelight concert in New Canaan, Marion Meadows (who grew up in Stamford) Jazz Christmas show, and an appearance by the Turtle Island Quartet, which will be celebrating the season’s celebrations, as well as the winter solstice.
Other musical acts are set to perform in the area, as well, including hip-hop producer Tony Simon (who is known as Blockhead), Eric Hutchinson, The Rascals (who will reunite for these performances), Abbamania, The Declassfied, the Celtic Tenors, John Fullbright and Chris Botti.
If you still want a taste of the holidays, you can enjoy a holiday open house at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum or visit a “B-Merry Holiday mARkeT” in Bridgeport. There also are a number of places Santa will be stopping by to make a visit and reconnect with the younger set. Two area dance companies will be putting on their productions of Nutcracker this weekend. “Scenes from the Nutcracker” will be playing in Darien. Dreidel games will be taking place at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk. And, a laser jam show is scheduled to give some pop to the season’s songs. And, you can get a look at some tasty gingerbread houses in Stamford and Westport. And, you can see trains in various forms in Stamford, Fairfield, Danbury and Wilton.
Art can be found throughout the area from community self-portraits and studio-inspired pieces in Greenwich to an opening reception at the Silo Gallery in New Milford. Ongoing art exhibitions can be found in New Canaan; Katonah, N.Y.; Stamford; and Wilton. And a new production of “Sunday in the Park with George” opens in New Haven.
Until next time …
