A Grimm opera comes this way; Hume Cronyn never walks ‘Alone’; sharing holiday stories

Sunday

“Live From the Lincoln Center” / 2 p.m. KCET

Weary from all that Christmas shopping? KCET gives you the chance to unwind for three hours as Lincoln Center presents the Juilliard Opera Center’s production of “Hansel und Gretel,” with sets and costumes designed by illustrator Maurice Sendak. Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Marquette and soprano Sari Gruber sing the title roles of this telecast, based on the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

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“Alone” / 8 p.m. Showtime

Melancholy and leisurely paced, this TV movie written by Horton Foote stars Hume Cronyn as John Webb, a lifelong farmer and recent widower offered money by a Texas oil company for the mineral rights to his land. The possibility of striking it rich sparks high hopes--and an undercurrent of greed--among the family members, well played by Chris Cooper, Shelley Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Joanna Miles and Ed Begley Jr. James Earl Jones plays Webb’s friend.

Monday

“Great Performances” / 9 p.m. KCET

Beverly Sills and Derek Jacobi lead the “San Francisco Opera Gala Celebration” toasting the recent reopening of the War Memorial Opera House. The structure, which opened in 1932 with the SFO’s inaugural production of “Tosca,” was closed for renovation in 1996 to fix the damage resulting from the Bay Area earthquake of 1989. Jerry Hadley, Carol Vaness, Samuel Ramey and Deborah Voigt sing selections from “La Boheme” and “Boris Godunov.”

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“Life’s Greatest Holiday Stories” / 10 p.m. CBS

A picture, it’s been said, is worth a thousand words. In this hourlong special, we get Life magazine photographs blended with interviews and archival footage that illustrate an assortment of inspirational stories: Bob Hope entertains overseas troops for the USO, Apollo 8 astronauts travel to the dark side of the moon on Christmas Eve 1968 and friends recount the life of Jimmy Stewart.

Tuesday

“Behind Closed Doors With Joan Lunden” / 10 p.m. ABC

No longer obligated to rise and shine each morn, the low-key Lunden can concentrate on prime-time specials. In the fifth edition of this periodic show, she takes part in training exercises with the Secret Service and practices with Las Vegas showgirls. The latter assignment involves training a role in Sin City’s glitzy production of “Jubilee!” Eat your heart out, Elizabeth Berkley!

Wednesday

“Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration” / 3 p.m. KCET

The 38th annual festival brings together singers, dancers and chorale groups from across the Southland. The six-hour broadcast, to be co-hosted by Times columnist and “Life & Times” anchor Patt Morrison, will be simulcast on KUSC-FM (91.5). Grupo Alegria, Celtic Traditional Music & Dance and the Opera California Youth Choir are a few of the first-time performers. Returnees include the Verdugo Hills Chapter of Sweet Adelines and the Pasadena Dance Theatre.

Thursday

“Merry Christmas, George Bailey” / 8 p.m. KCET

It’s a wonderful cast. Bill Pullman (as the distraught Bedford Falls resident), Nathan Lane (his guardian angel Clarence), Martin Landau (Mr. Potter), Penelope Ann Miller (Mary), Sally Field, Hal Holbrook and Christian Slater (George’s mother, father and brother, respectively) appear in a benefit performance taped Dec. 8 at the Pasadena Playhouse. The production suggests an old-time radio broadcast, with sound effects created on stage and the original Dimitri Tiomkin themes from “It’s a Wonderful Life” played throughout.

Friday

“Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts” / 9 p.m. CBS

Lauren Bacall, Charlton Heston, Bob Dylan, Jessye Norman and Edward Villella are recognized for their lifetime achievements at the 20th annual gala. Lynn Redgrave says Heston “truly becomes the great men he’s played before the world.” Joanne Woodward confesses, “I’ve been an Eddie Villella groupie since before the word was invented.” Sidney Poitier proclaims that Norman “has a voice that spans the skies,” Sam Waterston calls Bacall “a once in a lifetime actress” and Gregory Peck speaks of Dylan as “Lincolnesque.”