The first couple weeks of December in Palm Coast offer a couple of “fun” choices for those interested in theatre and comedy as well as the sounds of the holidays. Then in January, both local playhouses are back in action as well as a long list of top quality performances at the Flagler Auditorium. You won’t be bored.
The Sounds of Christmas
This event is presented on Friday, Dec. 9 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church located at 5400 Belle Terre Parkway. The free event presented by the Choral Arts Society features a variety of contemporary and religious holiday music. Donations to aid the CAS are accepted. Call (407) 474-1437 for more information. This is a popular event; be sure to arrive early to get a good seat.
City Repertory Theatre
The Palm Coast-based community theater group kicks off December with its presentation of, “A King and Two Queens.” Subtitled, “A Royal Revue.” Marie Antoinette, France’s infamously wanton aristocrat of the 18th century is the play’s lead character. As anyone with even the teeniest knowledge of history might expect, Antoinette makes foolish moves and statements and is severely challenged to “understand” the plight of the average French citizen. Get ready to laugh at her audacity.
The show runs Thursday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 4. Shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday begin at 7:30 PM; Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for students. CRT is located at 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207. Obtain tickets at CRT’s website: www.crtpalmcoast.com. Scroll to the show on the website’s main page and click on the green button with the words, “buy tickets” in white lettering. Tickets are also available via phone: 386-585-9415.
In mid-January 2023, CRT presents “Honky Tonk Angels,” which is the story of three ambitious gals with diverse backgrounds who decide to follow their country western singing dreams and head to Nashville in hopes of becoming star of the music scene. Fans of country western music, recognizing the tunes in the musical — Tammy Wynette’s, “Stand By Your Man,” from 1968, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” from the 1980 movie by the same name, the theme song from the “Harper Valley PTA” and many more.
The show runs Friday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 22 with presentations on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and on Sunday at 3 PM. Cost is $30 for adults; $15 for students. Obtain tickets at the CRT website listed above.
Flagler Auditorium
For December, there is only one show on the docket, and it is expected to bring down the house in laughter. If you need to take a break from the holiday rush, this is your fix.
It is Steve Solomon’s s “Home for the Holidays” and the wording of its advertising graphic gives more than a hint to its side-splitting content: “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, I’m Home for the Holidays … The Therapy continues.”
The cast of characters the audience will meet via Solomon’s wacky telling of holiday happenings within his family are Uncle Willie, Stuttering Cousin Bob, Demented Cousin Kenny, Solomon’s new therapist Cousin Sal and a bunch of other characters sure to remind you of at least one person from within your own family. Solomon’s claim throughout the show is that its cast of characters is what drove him to therapy. Audience throughout the United States and Europe have identified with Solomon’s twisted, yet compelling accurate, presentation of the antics accompanying the collision of family with the holidays.
Solomon is a gifted actor with the ability to transition quickly from different voices and sound effects.
This is a one-night only show on Thursday, Dec, 8 at 7 PM. Tickets available via the Auditorium’s website: www.flaglerauditorium.org or by calling the Auditorium Box Office at (386) 437-7547. Ticket prices range from $44 to $54.
Flagler Playhouse
The Bunnell-based group takes a break in December but returns toward the end of January with its presentation of the blockbuster Broadway hit, “RENT.”
This one really isn’t kiddo-appropriate as its plot deals the grownup topics of relationship infidelity, HIV/AIDS diagnosis and young adults — specifically artists and musicians — struggling to find their way in the world in the setting of Lower Manhattan’s East Village of New York City. Characters Angle, Mimi, Roger and Tom deal with the complications of disease. Maureen tries to use performance art to help her deal with being chronically unfaithful to her partner, Joanne, who begins to wonder if the relationship is worth all the heartache. Benny is considered a “sell-out” to the Bohemian ideals and lifestyle of the others in the group of friends as he has recently taken a job with a hefty income and Mark, who is an aspiring filmmaker, feels isolated from his friends and life in general.
The rock musical first appeared in 1993 at the New York Theatre Workshop – an off Broadway organization from which numerous on Broadway hits have made the jump from. “RENT” began playing on Broadway in 1996 earning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for Best Musical during its 12-year run grossing more than $280 million.
“RENT” opens Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 5 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and on Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets are available at the FP website: www.flaglerplayhouse.com.