Christmas is in the Air at Theaters Throughout the County

"Welk Musical Christmas"

Entertainment Report by Ruth Lepper

"Welk Musical Christmas" returns to the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido for its 10th year. The entertainment gets better every year and stronger with each performance. The production is the creation of Mary Lou Metzger with direction and choreography by Cheryl Baxter.

Metzger previously performed on the Welk television show, as did Latin singer/dancer Anacani and pianist Big Tiny Little who also are in this production.

Little has an amazing talent on the piano, with his fingers flying over the ivory keys in a medley of tunes with a Hollywood Bowl setting. His wonderful singing voice is heard at the end when the entire cast gathers in red and white suits in various styles to sing favorite holiday tunes, mixed in with an audience sing-along.

Metzger shares a duet with Anacani, singing "Sisters" while dressed in matching powder blue outfits complete with large, feather fans.

Anacani entertains on the guitar along with singing several songs in Spanish. Carlos Mendoza takes over the Latin segment with "Feliz Navidad" and "Mambo Santa." Baxter will be replacing Anacani at the end of the run, from Dec. 24 to 31.

Another beautiful duet is "Merry Christmas Darling" sung by Chloe Stewart while Grant Rosen sings "Please Come Home for Christmas."

Costumes designed by Mia Gyzander are extraordinary.

"Welk Musical Christmas" plays at 1:45 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, through Dec. 31 at Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive. Tickets are $51 to $56, for buffet lunch or dinner and show or $38 to $41 for show only. For more information, call the box office at (760) 749-3448.

Two different musical versions of Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" are competing for audiences at San Diego Repertory and Julian Town Hall.

San Diego Reps version was adapted by D. W. Jacobs with traditional holiday music. Original music composed by Steve Gunderson has been added. Todd Salovey directs. Broadway actor Peter Van Norden stars as Scrooge.

Performances run through Dec. 26. Call (619) 544-1000 for more information or check the Website at www.sandiegorep.com.

Kinney Productions is staging Don Winslows adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" at Julian Town Hall on weekends through Dec. 19.

Winslows version incorporates traditional Christmas carols to fit in with the storyline. The audience is more involved with this production.

Winslow directs, with Bette Gorton as the musical director. Poway attorney John Culver stars as Scrooge.

The first weekend will be a benefit for Julian Pathways, a nonprofit group established in 2000 that provides physical, mental and emotional health services for local school students.

Tickets for the first weekend are $35. Tickets for other performances are $15 adults and $8 children. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Julian Town Hall is at 2129 Main St. For more information, call (760) 765-2119.

Christian Community Theater celebrates the 12th anniversary of "Traditions of Christmas A Musical Spectacular" at the East County Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. A cast of more than 100 present a variety of production numbers ranging from high-stepping precision kick-line dancers to Christmas elves singing and dancing in Santas workshop. The show concludes with an inspiring Nativity pageant, complete with a camel, donkey and sheep.

There will be 14 performances from Dec. 10 to 22 at 210 E. Main St. Tickets are $20 to $37 for adults and $15 for children. For more information call the box office at (619) 588-0206.

Ruth Lepper is a member of San Diego Theatre Critics Circle and the National Theatre League.