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Theater roundup
Fall and winter seasons are kicking into high gear on stages around the region. Here's a look at some year-end treats, roughly in chronological order. This list includes some holiday productions; we'll have more of those as the holidays near.Sterling Playmakers
'Twelfth Night'
The Sterling Playmakers promise the bard at his best this weekend and next with William Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night." Visit the fantastical setting of Illyria for the romantic comedy full of mistaken identities, secret letters, the hunger for power and debauchery galore. Performances are Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., at Sterling Middle School, 201 W. Holly Ave. Tickets are $12. Visit www.sterlingplaymakers.com.
Loudoun Lyric Opera
'HMS Pinafore'
Loudoun Lyric Opera presents a comic opera, "HMS Pinafore," this weekend at Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville. This humorous production by Loudoun Lyric Opera focuses on love between members of different social classes, and lampoons the British class system in general. The two-act performance features music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W.S. Gilbert. Performances are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20, seniors $15, students $10. Call 540-338-7973 or visit www.loudounlyricopera.com.
Warrenton Chorale
'An Almost Christmas Concert'
It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas already, as the Warrenton Chorale and the Salvation Army's National Capitol Army Band kick off the region's holiday productions along with "An Almost Christmas Concert" Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. The concert will be at the Faith Christian Church and Outreach Center, 6472 DuHollow Road, Warrenton. The concert is free but donations are accepted for the Red Kettle Program. Visit www.warrentonchorale.org.
Loudoun School of Ballet
Jazz and Company Dance
Loudoun School of Ballet’s Jazz & Company Dance will perform at Franklin Park Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $10, students and seniors $8. Call 540-338-7973 or visit www.franklinparkartscenter.org.
Pickwick Players
'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'
The Pickwick Players will perform "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for two November weekends in Sterling. The story is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the Book of Genesis. The play takes you through his childhood dreams to slavery to imprisonment to ruler. The performances will be Nov. 13-14 and Nov. 20-21 at 7:30 p.m. each evening with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., at River Bend Middle School, 45250 Algonkian Parkway. Tickets in advance are $11, 12 and younger and seniors $9. Families are $45 at the Nov. 14 matinee. Tickets are available at www.thepickwickplayers.org.
'Christmas Chocolate Carols'
In December, the Pickwick Players present "Christmas Chocolate Carols," two evenings of Christmas music, dance and scenes from stage, film and books, with appetizers and desserts served. The dates are Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12, at St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg. Tickets are $15, seniors and children 11 and younger $12. Reservations are required by Dec. 7; e-mail thepickwickplayers@gmail.com.
Loudoun Symphony
Chamber concert
Loudoun Symphony's Chamber Players will perform in concert Sunday, Nov. 22, 3, p.m., at Franklin Park Arts Center. Tickets are $12, seniors $10, 18 and younger free.
'Celebrate the Season'
On Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m., The Loudoun Symphony offers its holiday concert, "Celebrate the Season," at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn. This concert will feature a range of Christmas, Hanukkah and winter songs. Call 703-771-8287 or visit www.loudounsymphony.org.
Piedmont Singers
'Il Est Ne' holiday concert
The Piedmont Singers will present their traditional holiday concerts – this year with a French twist – Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Church 105 E. Washington St., Middleburg. The concert of sacred Christmas music is titled "Il Est Ne: Celebrating Christmas With Music From France." It will include the Baroque master work "Messe de Minuit pour Noël" ("Midnight Mass for Christmas") by Marc-Antoine Charpentier. This collection of French carols was first performed in Paris in 1694. The program will include familiar carols and an invitation for the congregation to sing with the choir. Free; a freewill offering will be received. Visit www.emmanuelmiddleburg.org and click on "Music."
Loudoun Ballet Company
'The Nutcracker'
The Loudoun Ballet Company's production of "The Nutcracker" is a Loudoun tradition that always sells out, and this will be its 20th annual full-length professional production. Performances are Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20; Saturdays at 1 and 5:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., at Park View High School, 400 W. Laurel Ave., Sterling. Tickets go on sale through the box office Monday, Nov. 9, with a special preview day of ticket sales Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Ida Lee Recreation Center in Leesburg. Advance tickets are $20, children 12 and younger and seniors $15; premium seating and all tickets at the door are $25. Call 703-771-8074 or visit www.loudounballet.org.
As a special preview, the Loudoun Ballet will offer a Nutcracker Tea Party on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. at River Creek Country Club, 43404 Westchester Square, Leesburg. This promises to be an enchanting afternoon for the family with costumed characters from "The Nutcracker," plus sandwiches, scones, hot chocolate and teas. Short excerpts from "The Nutcracker" will be performed. Tickets are $35, ages 3-12 $25. Reservations are required; call Debra Hare at 202-903-7244.
Dance Academy of Loudoun
'The Nutcracker'
Another "Nutcracker Ballet" production to look for is presented by Dance Academy of Loudoun with the Northern Virginia Performing Arts Company. This is a classic presentation of the classic tale. Performances are Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 and 5 p.m., at the Franklin Park Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12, seniors and students $10. Tickets go on sale Nov. 19. Call 703-443-1093 or visit danceloudoun.com/News_and_Events or www.franklinparkartscenter.org.
Master Singers of Virginia
'Christmas: From Chant to Carol'
The Master Singers ensemble is a Northern Virginia tradition. At this year's Master Singers holiday concerts, the program begins with early chants from the 15th and 16th centuries and moves through later pieces influenced by those chants, ending with what the ensemble promises to be breathtaking arrangements of traditional favorites such as “Coventry Carol,” “We Three Kings,” “Let All Mortal Flesh,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Silent Night.” Three concerts are planned:
• Sunday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Church of the Epiphany, 3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Herndon
• Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m., Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn
• Sunday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, Purcellville
Tickets are $17, seniors and students $14. Visit msva.choralmusic.org/concerts.html.
Franklin Park Arts Center
'Rudolph -- Behind the Red Nose'
"Rudolph -- Behind the Red Nose" is a Franklin Park original, full of holiday cheer. It was written by Tom Sweitzer and Benjamin Shoenberger who also play starring roles. The performance will be Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. Children will have a chance to visit the jolly old elf after the show, and patrons can bring gloves and mittens for the giving tree to go to the Loudoun Holiday Coalition. Tickets are $10, seniors and students $8. Call 540-338-7973 or visit www.franklinparkartscenter.org.
Theaterpalooza
Holiday performance camp
For kids who are into acting – or parents who need to keep them occupied during school vacations or parental shopping and wrapping marathons – Theaterpalooza is offering one-day holiday performance camps Dec. 12, Dec. 22-24 and Dec. 28-30 at its studio in Ashburn Technology Park. Children create a play in a day – from design to costumes to song and dance – and then perform an informal show for family and friends. Full-day hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ($50 per day), with part-time morning or afternoon sessions ($30 per day) also available. Call 703-728-4021 or visit www.mytheaterarts.com.
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