A dozen holiday shows to see in Wilmington
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TheatreNOW's Christmas dinner theater show stars Cathy Sanborn Street as Cactus O'Riley, a private eye in the midst of a hectic Christmas season involving her secretary, his protective mother, two justice-seeking fugitives and a dead detective by the name of Jake Marley. Billed as a combo comedy, mystery and romance, it's directed by Juan Fernandez and features a menu from TheatreNOW chef Denise Gordon. Details: 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23 at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington. $45-$48 dinner and show, $22-$27 show only. 910-399-3669 or TheatreWilmington.com.
'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol'
Big Dawg Productions presents the play by Tom Mula that tells the famous "Carol" from the point of view of Ebenzer Scrooge's late partner, Jacob Marley. Featuring Randy Davis in the title role, for which he won Best Actor in a Play at the StarNews Wilmington Theater Awards in March. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and 13-15, 3 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16 at the Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle St., Wilmington. $25, $22 for seniors, students and military. 910-367-5237 or BigDawgProductions.org.
Panache Theatrical Productions continues the Wilmington tradition of staging David Sedaris' saucy true story of the year he worked as an elf in Macy's massive Santland display. Kevin Wilson stars in the cracked Christmas classic, and he's joined by a trio of "Not Ready for Christmas" singers: Amy Carter, Jacy Coffman and Kaleb Bradley. Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and 13-15, 3 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16 at Thalian Hall's Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre, 310 Chestnut St. $22-$25. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.
'A Christmas Carol: The Musical'
Thalian Association Community Theatre presents a musical version of Charles Dickens' classic 19th century novella, with songs by Alan Menken (Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," "Little Shop of Horrors"). Wilmington's Tony Rivenbark plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, the 13th time he's depicted the iconic character. Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and 14-15, 3 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16, 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. $32. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.
'The Madness of George III'
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and UNCW's Office of the Arts present a rebroadcast from London of a live performance of Alan Bennett's drama as part of the National Theatre Live series. "The Madness of George III" is set during 1786, when King George III, who's played by Mark Gatiss, is exhibiting increasingly alarming and erratic behavior. As his lunacy builds, the ambitious men surrounding him start scheming against the king. Details: 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the OLLI Building Classroom, UNCW. $20, $18 OLLI members, $10 students/youth, $6 UNCW students with ID. 910-962-4034 or UNCW.edu/OLLI.
Billed as "a new twist on an old classic," this touring production from CMI Entertainment includes lots of familiar Christmas carols alongside the classic Dickens story. Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Odell Williamson Auditorium on the campus of Brunswick Community College. $35-$40. 910-755-7416 or bbowa.com
Cape Fear Community College’s Humanities and Fine Arts Department presents a music-filled stage version of the beloved Peanuts TV special. Details: 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at CFCC Wilson Center, 701 N. Third St., Wilmington. $10; $8 for CFCC faculty, staff and students; free for kids 12 and under. 910-362-7999 or CapeFearStage.com.
Turning Pointe Dance Company and the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts team up to tell the Christmas story through word, song and dance in what's being billed as "a worshipful Christmas experience." Details: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at CFCC Wilson Center, 701 N. Third St., Wilmington. $25 adults, $10 children and students, plus taxes and fees. 910-362-7999 or CapeFearStage.com.
Opera House Theatre Co. presents its 10th annual Christmas cabaret featuring both religious and popular tunes. Details: 5:30 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner and show Dec. 15-16, and noon cocktails, 1 p.m. brunch and show Dec. 16 at the Country Club of Landfall, 800 Sun Runner Place, Wilmington. $65, must be purchased in advance.
'The Great Wilmington Nutcracker'
The U.S. International Ballet and Wilmington Ballet Co. team up to present a version of the show that features more than two dozen professional ballet dancers, including Italian ballet stars Walter Angelini and Ines Albertini, along with area athletes from the Special Olympics. Details: 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Odell Williamson Auditorium on the campus of Brunswick Community College. $23-$35. 910-755-7416 or bccowa.com. 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at CFCC Wilson Center, 701 N. Third St., Wilmington. $25-$55, plus taxes and fees. 910-362-7999 or CapeFearStage.com.
Theatre For All, Wilmington's only theater company for people with disabilities, presents this original story about a community that comes together after a natural disaster. Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19 at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington. Donations accepted.
Opera House Theatre Co. will kick-start the new year with ABBA's jukebox musical about a young woman, her mother and the three men who might be the young woman's father. Sydney Smith Martin plays Sophie, the young woman, and Kendra Goehring-Garrett plays her mom, Donna. Featuring such hits as "Dancing Queen," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Take a Chance on Me" and more. Details: 3 p.m. Dec. 30, Jan. 6 and 13, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Jan. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19 and 2 p.m. Jan. 19. $32. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.
Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.