Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/612945
DECEMBER 9-15, 2015 UCW 19 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Cape Fear Regional Theatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Dec. 4-20. This holiday classic celebrates 25 years as a local favorite this year. Find out more at http://www.cfrt.org. Gilbert Theater is mixing things up this year with a new holiday show – It's a Wonderful Life. This Christmas favorite runs through Dec. 20. Find out more at http://www.gilberttheater.com. Christmas was also an exciting time in the 19th century. From Nov. 24 until Jan. 10, the 1897 Poe House will be decorated with historical accuracy. Admission into the Poe Hour is free. Tours are Tuesdays through Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Saturdays, tours start on the hour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sundays. The Poe House is located at 801 Arsenal Ave. For more information call 486-1330 or visit http:// museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/1897-Poe-House. Sweet Tea Shakespeare brings something new to the holiday season with a production of Behold , a musical Christmas story on Dec. 10 and 11. Featuring Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God and music and readings by the artists of Sweet Tea Shakespeare, this piece is a refreshing telling of the advent and Christmas story. It takes place at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Find out more at http://www. sweetteashakespeare.com/event/behold-the-lamb-of- god/ Christmas in the Park turns Arnette Park into a beautiful expression of Christmas spirit. It offers a ½ mile stroll though the decorated park. There will be pictures with Santa available for $5, train rides for $1 per person, craft projects for $1 per person and marshmallow roasting with $1 per stick and $1 for 4 marshmallows. Entry is $10 per family vehicle. Christmas in the Park will be held Dec. 4 - 20 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. For more information call 433-1547 or visit http://www.fcpr.us/special_events.aspx. Another fantastic display of Christmas spirit is the annual Rotary Christmas Parade. Since 1999, the Rotary Club has held the Christmas Parade as an annual community service project. The first parade had 50 entries, but there has been incredible growth. There is expected to be 110-120 entries this year. Each year community members and businesses generously support the parade. The Rotary Christmas Parade will be held on Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The route will be from Person St. to Hay St. to Railroad Station. For more information visit http://www. rotarychristmasparade.com/index.php. Every year, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers perform Handel's Messiah – The Hallelujah Chorus. It is a free performance and the public is invited to participate or to watch. It happens on Dec. 12 at Berean Baptist Church. Find out more at http://www. singwithcos.org. Ballet fans look forward to seeing The Nutcracker each holiday season. This year, the N.C. Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Crown Dec. 12-13. Find out more at http://crowncomplexnc.com. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers a can't –miss event during this festive season – Holiday Lights in the Garden. It is open Dec. 11–23, and 26- 27. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Last admission is at 8:15 p.m. In addition, to the fantastic lights, the event includes: A mile-long stroll featuring light displays; new synchronized musical light show; photos with Santa (Dec. 11th- 23rd); free crafts for children; S'more roasting over the fire pit; holiday movies in the Orangery; refreshments and drinks from Mrs. Claus's Kitchen; and, holiday shopping in the Garden Gift Shop. Find out more at http://www.capefearbg.org/holiday- lights-in-the-garden. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops performance features feature Kaitlyn Lusk, vocal soloist of the Lord of the Rings Symphony. Bring the family out and celebrate the season with the FSO for an evening of traditional holiday music and a special surprise for the kids! It takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Methodist University. Find out more at www.FayettevilleSymphony.org Fort Bragg's Smith Lake invites the public to the Polar Bear Plunge on Dec 12. The fun starts at noon. Call 396-5979 or for information. Participants receive a T-shirt. Holiday costumes are encouraged. Every year the Downtown Alliance hosts The Candlelight Loft Tour. It is a chance to take a peek at the many beautiful lofts in downtown Fayetteville. This year, the event falls on Dec. 13. The tour runs from 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Find out more at http://www. visitdowntownfayetteville.com/event/candlelight-loft- tour/?instance_id=3355451. Ryan's Reindeer Run is a great way to celebrate the holidays in a healthy way. The run celebrates the life of Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh. It takes place on Dec. 19, but registration is open now at http://www. ryansreindeerrun.com. Disney fans won't want to miss Disney on Ice Dec. 16-20 at the Crown. Find out more at http://crowncomplexnc.com. Holiday Events a STAFF REPORT The Gilbert Theater shines this Christmas season with the debut of It's a Wonderful Life, a family friendly treat with a cast as talented as any you will come across. The actors truly make the screen adaptation their own on a stage simply decorated in typical black box fashion. The warmth they exude on stage is true as you feel the family atmosphere from the stage to the audience filling the chairs in front. This small cast with a repertoire that ranges from first time performers to seasoned artists, fills your heart with joy as they deliver lines and sing subtlety throughout the show. It's A Wonderful Life is onstage now through Dec. 20. Lead Ken Griggs, who is reminiscent of actor Campbell Scott, commands the stage as he lives the life of George Bailey, the downs and ups as he becomes truly thankful for family, friends and life. His chemistry with James Dean, who is well-known in the Fayetteville community for his performances at the Gilbert Theater and Cape Fear Regional Theatre, is uncanny. Dean plays Clarence, the wingless angel who you cheer on as you wait for the bell to ring and his wings to be granted. Yes, that favorite tear-inducing scene is still a part of the play and as an onlooker, you wait for it, taken in by each scene until you hear it. Griggs' dialogue with Chris Brown, who plays Mr. Potter, should also be noted as their interactions are cold, desperate and eventually forgiven, as Bailey learns the importance of his place in life. Also, noteworthy, is Jessica Osnae, who plays Mary Hatch Bailey. She is a strong, loving support to her George Bailey and is a welcome addition to the Gilbert Theater family. Each character plays an important role, and more importantly, is perfectly cast by the delightful director Robyne Parrish. Her passion for the stage and position shines. She has taken the reins given by the amazing Lynn Pryer and has lent Fayetteville her enthusiasm for theatre for the last four years. If this Christmas showcase is anything to be judged by, the spring season will be a pleasure with Titus Andronicus, Women of Manhattan and The Vagina Monologues. The Gilbert Theater is a gem in Downtown Fayetteville offering a variety of shows and educational opportunities each year. Showtime is at 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Visit http://www. gilberttheater.com for tickets and information. It's a Wonderful Life: Remembering What's Important by JAMI MCLAUGHLIN JAMI MCLAUGHLIN, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200 It's a Wonderful Life is on stage through Dec. 20 at the Gilbert Theater.