A Christmas Carol at Parker Theatre 2025

Last year I saw five productions of A Christmas Carol and, honestly, it turned into a chore to get through all of them. This year I decided that I only wanted to see one so that I could really enjoy it (I also wanted to have more time to spend with my family) and I picked Parker Theatre's version because it is my favorite (it is so atmospheric and dramatic). I had the chance to see it last night and I think I made the right decision because I loved every minute of it! This tells the familiar story of how Ebenezer Scrooge (Mark Knowles) is redeemed after the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley (Stuart Mitchell) arranges for him to be visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Helene Parker), Present (David Hansen), and Future (Helene Parker). However, there are many original elements specific to this particular production that make it my favorite. I love that Marley is shown haunting Scrooge at their counting house and other locations before he appears to him in his bed chamber because it is so foreboding. I love that many of the characters Scrooge interacts with in the present, such as a poor child singing carols (Eloise Hohl), his nephew Fred (Truman Schipper), and his clerk Bob Cratchit (Chris Last), appear to him as if in a dream when he interacts with characters from his past, including his younger self (Tristan Curtis), his sister Fan (Samara Douros), and his employer Mr. Fezziwig (Jim Dale), respectively, to soften his heart because it gives depth and meaning to his eventual redemption. I love the romantic dance between the young Ebenezer (Spencer Hohl) and Belle (Isabelle Purdie) because it provides a sharp contrast to the later scene when she releases him from their betrothal. I also love how Scrooge learns the truth by opening his coffin in the cemetery because it is incredibly dramatic (especially when chains emerge from the coffin to claim him). The sets are much more minimal than other productions I've seen (Scrooge's counting house and bed chamber are the most elaborate) but I love the use of scrims, projections, fog, and atmospheric lighting and sound design to create an otherworldly mood. It was fun to see many in the cast reprise the same roles from previous productions and, while I loved every performance, I was most impressed by Knowles, because his gradual transformation from the bitter old miser at the beginning of the show to the more lighthearted character we see at the end is brilliantly conveyed through facial expressions and body language, and by Hansen, because I found his sudden change from a jolly spirit who brings the joy of the season to Scrooge to one who accuses him of ignoring his fellow man to be absolutely devastating (especially since his delivery is very quiet). Seeing A Christmas Carol has always been an important tradition for me and I am so glad that I picked this production to celebrate the season this year! I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) for one of the performances on Fridays and Saturdays (or on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the final week) through December 24.

'Twas the Night Before at the Eccles

I really enjoyed the Cirque du Soleil shows that I have seen (Mystere and Love in Las Vegas) so I was excited to see their first ever Christmas show, 'Twas the Night Before, last night at the Eccles Theatre. As expected, it is a dazzling spectacle that is sure to give you a big dose of Christmas cheer! Isabella (Elodie Sanna) and her Father (William Borges) always read "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore together but this year she feels that she has outgrown the tradition and even rejects the bicycle he gives her as a present. Then a winter storm separates them and they are transported by mischievous elves into a magical world inspired by the poem and brought to life by whimsical aerialists, jugglers, and acrobats. They are eventually reunited by Santa Claus (Chris Aguirre Aceituno) and his reindeer with a new sense of joy and wonder for the holiday. The stage features a glittering backdrop of tinsel and lights with a large ramp (which I thought would be used more) connecting an upper level to the main level. The show also includes really fun remixes of traditional Christmas songs (my favorite was "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" performed by a cello during an aerial routine) with choreography that is perfectly in sync with the beat. The performances are nothing short of amazing and there were multiple times when I wondered how the cast members were able to execute such impressive stunts (the audience broke out into spontaneous applause in the middle of almost every number). The highlight for me was when a group, including Shih-Rong Huang, Yi-Fang Chen, Yu-Hui Teng, and Shih-Wei Huang, toss illuminated diabolos, or spinning tops on wires, across the stage and into the audience because it looks so cool (I have no idea how they were able to catch them on the wires). I also loved seeing an aerialist (Victoria Baudry-McPherson) spin on a rotating hotel cart, a group of reindeer (Aaron Blomme, Esteban Masco, David Tanner, Lucas Costa De Souza, Mohamed Conte, Changzheng Xu, and Shane William Minerich) jump and perform somersaults through impossibly high rings, and Isabella balance on a moving bicycle. This show is not quite as immersive as the ones I have seen in Las Vegas (which are performed in the round) but it is a lot of fun and it is perfect for families during this holiday season. It runs at the Eccles Theatre through December 14 with multiple shows on Saturdays and Sundays (go here for tickets).

Festival of Trees 2025

The Festival of Trees is an event I look forward to all year because it is so much fun to volunteer and it is such a worthwhile cause since every single penny raised goes to benefit Primary Children's Hospital!  Various groups and individuals decorate trees, usually to commemorate someone who is or has been a patient at Primary Children's Hospital, and then donate them.  The trees are put up for auction and then displayed at the Mountain America Expo Center for the duration of the festival.  In addition to the trees, there are centerpieces, wreaths, quilts, and gingerbread houses on display with lots of activities for kids (even Santa) and treats to purchase (I may or may not have had two cinnamon rolls).  This was my fifteenth year volunteering as a hostess and when my shift was over I got to look around.  Here are some of my favorite trees.

Wicked was very "popular" at the festival this year.

This was my favorite.

The Festival of Trees runs at the Mountain America Expo Center through December 6.  Go here for more information and tickets.

Gentri Christmas at the Eccles 2025

I love hearing Christmas music performed live so I was really excited for the Gentri Christmas concert last night.  This was my fourth year attending this concert and it has become one of my favorite traditions!  Casey Elliott, Brad Robbins, and Bradley Quinn Lever, better known as Gentri (short for The Gentlemen Trio), began with "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "He Is Born, the Heavenly Child," "We Three Kings," and "Away in a Manger."  Then they were joined by the Rise Up Children's Choir for "Ave Maria" (the children carried candles and sounded like angels) and "Do You Hear What I Hear."  In between these songs, three of the boys from the choir, who have formed their own trio called the Junior Gents, performed "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and they were really good (the gents joked that they could take over for them when they become the Geriatric Gents).  Next came their original song "Finding Christmas" and then "O Holy Night" which I absolutely loved because their arrangement is so beautiful (this has been my favorite Christmas song since I was a little girl and I always hope to hear it performed live every year).  They concluded their first set with "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" which was very powerful.  After the intermission, they performed a mash-up of "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and "Joy to the World" featuring David Halliday on saxophone.  This really got going with lots of audience participation!  They continued with "Little Drummer Boy," which is one of their most popular songs, with Nick Johnson on acoustic guitar followed by their original song "All is Well" with the Rise Up Children's Choir.  Their music director Stephen Nelson arranged a piece on the spot using a movie score and a Christmas song suggested by the audience (they do this every year and it is extremely popular with the crowd).  Our audience picked the theme from Mission: Impossible and "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and it was surprisingly good!  They continued with their version of "Silent Night" and then their original song "Somewhere in Your Silent Night" which is one of my favorite Gentri songs.  They performed "Welcome to Our World" from their latest Christmas album Emmanuel and then ended with a rousing rendition of "O Come, All Ye Faithful."  The gents were as amusing as ever and it was a wonderful concert!  I thoroughly enjoyed it and got a big dose of Christmas cheer!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I finally put my tree up a few days ago (I usually put it up a lot earlier but I've been a bit lazy) and now that it is up I am really excited for Christmas!  This year I have decided to slow down and not see so many shows (last year I saw five different productions of A Christmas Carol and it got to be a chore to get through all of them) so I can spend more time with my family.  We are planning on a craft night, a baking night to make Christmas treats for our neighbors, a night to make gingerbread houses, a night to go see Christmas lights, and lots of movie nights (we are compiling a list).  I am also really excited because my niece and her husband are coming on Christmas Eve for a week!

I really love this time of year (I especially love sitting in my living room with just the light from the Christmas tree) and I am determined to enjoy every minute of it!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!