Chorus shares holiday show with friends

JOYCE RUDOLPH

The Gay Men’s Chorus has invited its friends to join them in a

nostalgic holiday concert this weekend at The Alex Theatre.

Special guests for the “Holiday In and Out” musical extrava- ganza

are Joanna Gleason and VOX Los Angeles, who have appeared with the

chorus in many shows over the years, said Artistic Director Bruce

Mayhall.

“It’s a really warm and fuzzy holiday celebration,” he said. “We

thought we’d start our 25th anniversary season inviting dear friends

of the chorus.”

Gleason will stage the production with the overriding theme being

a take on the classic 1942 Christmas film, “Holiday Inn,” starring

Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds.

The chorus will sing a selection of Irving Berlin songs including

“Happy Holiday” and “White Christmas.”

VOX Los Angeles, a women’s chorus of lesbian, bisexual and

heterosexual women, will combine with the Gay Men’s Chorus to sing

the piece “Kindred Spirits,” which was commissioned by the chorus.

The music is by Jon Bailey, the former artistic director of the

Gay Men’s Chorus. The text was written by Bill Bowersock, a member

and producer of the Gay Men’s Chorus concerts. In it, Bowersock talks

about finding commonalities between people of differing groups.

“It explores the differences between men and women,” Mayhall said.

“But pertinent to these choruses, the differences between gay and

straight people. It says we’re all the same, no matter the sexual

orientation or political beliefs. We’re still people. And it relates

the importance of bridging the gaps between all people.”

An hourlong family perfor- mance is at 2 p.m. today and features a

visit from Santa Claus. Tickets range from $10 to $20.

Other performances are 8 tonight and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are

$15 to $45. For reservations, call (800) 636-7464 or 243-2539.

SPECIAL EVENTS

ROAD’ERS CAR CLUB

COLLECTING TOYS

A visit from Santa Claus is the highlight during the Road’ers Car

Club Christmas Cruise In from 6 to 9 tonight at Bob’s Big Boy, 1407

W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to

the Glendale Police Department’s Cops for Kids program. Oldies but

goodies music will be spun by D.J. Jim. There will be raffles, 50/50

drawings and nine trophies to be awarded to the best classic

vehicles.

Last month’s Best of Show trophy was awarded to Chris and Melinda

Christensen and their 1934 Ford Tudor.

The Road’ers Car Club was able to donate $300 to the fund for

slain Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka.

RESIDENT IS CLARA

IN ‘NUTCRACKER’

Deana Beasom, 13, of La Canada Flintridge, is playing Clara in

the Pasadena Dance Theatre’s 24th anniversary performances of “The

Nutcracker,” finishing its run this weekend at the San Gabriel Civic

Auditorium.

More than 70 dancers and guest artists are cast for the

performances. Guest artists are Julia Ortega (formerly with the

Ballet Nacional de Cuba) and Hesen Weiren (formerly with the Hong

Kong Ballet) today and Sunday.

Other local company members are Gregory Arakelian of Glendale and

Andrea Beasom and Jessica Luttkus of La Canada Flintridge.

A nonprofit organization founded 45 years ago, this highly

acclaimed company offers a full season of dance throughout the year

under the artistic direction of Cynthia Young and Laurence Blake.

Tickets range from $12 to $35. Performances are at 2 p.m. today

and Sunday. The auditorium is at 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel.

For reservations, call the box office at (626) 308-2868.

CANDLELIGHT TOURS

AT DOCTORS’ HOUSE

A Candlelight Tour through the Victorian Doctors’ House Museum,

decorated for the holidays, is planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today.

Docent actors from the Glendale Historical Society will be

stationed in all rooms portraying a personality from the past. There

will be live yuletide music and refreshments.

Admission is $1 per person. Tours run continuously. There will be

a bake sale and ornament sale, and only cash and checks are accepted.

The museum is in Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale.

The museum will be closed Sunday and Dec. 28. For more

information, call 242-4290.

‘SNOW QUEEN’ BALLET

AT GLENDALE COLLEGE

The California Theatrical Youth Ballet presents “The Snow Queen --

Ballet Redefined” this weekend at the Glendale Community College

Performing Arts Theatre.

The ballet showcases a cast of 60 dancers and gymnasts from the

foothills and the surroun- ding communities. The ballet is based on

the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and features choreography

by Erin Holt and music by Randall Michael Tobin.

Shows are 7:30 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday. The theater is at 1500

N. Verdugo Road, in Glendale.

Advance tickets are $18, $12 for students, and can be purchased

by calling 790-7924. If available, tickets will be sold at the door.

ON STAGE

A NOISE WITHIN PRESENTS ‘A WILDE HOLIDAY’

A Noise Within of Glendale has brought back from last holiday

season its successful “A Wilde Holiday,” featuring fairy tales by

Oscar Wilde.

Tickets range from $26 to $40 and can be reserved by calling

240-0910. The theater is at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.

A special Victorian Tea to raise funds for the theater’s outreach

and educational programs will be from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Celebrities, including actor Ed Asner, will perform readings from

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are from $35 to $45 or from $55 to

$65 including the play.

‘A FEW GOOD MEN’

ENDS AT THIRD STAGE

The run of Aaron Sorkin’s military courtroom drama, “A Few Good

Men,” ends today at the Third Stage in Burbank.

The play is directed by David Blanchard, who also is playing the

role of Lt. Jonathan Kendrick. Co-producing the play are Birdman and

Old Country Productions.

Before the film, the play was on Broadway and even though it went

on national tour, it was never produced in Los Angeles.

Show time is 8 tonight. Tickets are $20, $15 for students and

seniors. The theater is at 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. For

reservations, call 842-4755.

‘LATE NIGHT CATECHISM’ PRODUCED AT FALCON

“Late Night Catechism” is continuing in an open-ended run at 7:30

p.m. each Sunday at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.

It was written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. Directed by

Marc Silvia, the interactive comedy features an irrepressible

“Sister” teaching a class of “students” (the audience).

The Falcon is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Tickets are $25.

For reservations, call 955-8101.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

AT CENTRE THEATRE

Glendale Centre Theatre is presenting its 38th annual production

of the family musical “A Christmas Carol.”

Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and a host of spirits set the stage for

Scrooge to mend his miserly ways and discover the true meaning of

Christmas. This uplifting production features music, dancing and

colorful costumes that combine to warm your heart during the

holidays.

Tickets range from $15 to $22. There is a $1 processing fee per

ticket. The play runs through Tuesday. For reservations, call

244-8481. Glendale Centre Theatre is at 324 N. Orange St., Glendale.

Reservations are also being taken for the New Year’s Eve

production of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.” Ticket prices for the

shows are $32.50 for the 6:30 p.m. show and $37.50 for the 9:30 p.m.

show. There is reserved seating for the 9:30 p.m. show only.

Guests can choose from the decadent dessert bar and take home a

souvenir mug.

REALLY SPONTANEOUS

GROUP APPEARING

The Really Spontaneous Theatre Company continues its

improvisational shows at 7 p.m. each Sunday at the Third Stage, 2811

W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.

Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling (323) 969-4991.

THEATRE BANSHEE’S

‘BUTLER’ ENDS SUNDAY

The run ends Sunday for Joe Orton’s play “What the Butler Saw,”

produced by Theatre Banshee at the Gene Bua Theatre in Burbank. Sean

Branney of Glendale directs the production.

In a quaint British mental hospital, a string of ill-timed

seductions, ill-conceived exchanges of clothing and ill-minded

psychiatrists unleash a bizarre and hysterical chain of events. Sane

and insane, doctor and patient, and even law and order become

hopelessly confused in one of the great farces of the modern theater.

Show times are 8 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The theater is at 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Tickets are

$15, $12 for student, senior and group tickets. For reservations,

call 628-0688.

‘THE PRICE’ RETURNS

TO A NOISE WITHIN

Arthur Miller’s “The Price,” produced by A Noise Within, will

return for four encore perfor- mances, 8 p.m. Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 and

2 and 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

Tickets range from $20 to $40 and can be reserved by calling

240-0910. A Noise Within makes its home at 234 S. Brand Blvd.,

Glendale.

ALLIANCE EXTENDS

‘SHYNESS IS NICE’

The Alliance Repertory Company is extending the West Coast

premiere of “Shyness Is Nice” through Feb. 1 at the Alliance

Theatre in Burbank.

Playwright Marc Spitz is a senior writer at Spin magazine. His

writing on rock ‘n’ roll has also appeared in the New York Post, GQ,

the Washington Post, Nylon and Maxim.

Suzan Fellman directs the play about two very shy 30-year-old male

virgins who find out who they really are and what is truly important

to them after a drug deal goes wrong.

Shows are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. There

are no performances Dec. 27, 28 and 29. Tickets are $20 and can be

reserved by calling (800) 595-4849. The theater is at 3204 W.

Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.

* If you have news releases for the 48 Hours column, please call

JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax

them to 241-1975.