Times Leader

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BEST BET: With its 20th anniversary performance this year, The Great Russian Nutcracker, as performed by the Moscow Ballet, will deliver dazzlingly new choreography with the ‘Dove of Peace’ (in which two dancers become one soaring bird), a Christmas tree that grows to seven stories, falling snow and a Troika sleigh escorted by Russian folk characters. Watch for local dancers portraying snowflakes and mice. The Christmas tradition is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday at the F.M. Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Tickets are $68, $48, $37.50, $27.50. Call 826-1100 to reserve your seats.

THIS WEEK: NOV. 30 to DEC. 6, 2012

Nuncrackers, a musical comedy about the Little Sisters of Hoboken preparing a holiday program for cable television. Presented by Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Through Dec. 16: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. All-you-can-eat buffet served 90 minutes before show time. $16, $14 seniors, $10 children. With buffet: $32, $28 seniors, $20 children. 454-5451.

A Christmas Carol, a one-man interpretation of the Charles Dickens classic by The Rev. Timothy Coombs. First Presbyterian Church, 300 School St., Clarks Summit. 7 tonight. Free but donations accepted. 586-6306.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., the musical about mermaid Ariel wishing she could live above the waters on dry land. Performed by children age 11 to 18 at the KISS Theatre Company, 58 Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. Through Dec. 9: 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12, $6. 829-1901.

A Coal Country Christmas Carol, a classic, old-time radio show with performers summoning the spirits of 19th-century industrial Appalachia to tell a tale of redemption and hope. Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe. 7 tonight; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 15; 7 p.m. Dec. 22. $15, $10 seniors, $5 children. 325-0249.

A Christmas Carol, the holiday story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey through his past, present and future. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theater, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Through Dec. 28: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Special matinee 2 p.m. Dec. 29. 784-8181.

It’s a Wonderful Life, a live radio-play version of the holiday classic. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Through Dec. 16: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Dinner served 90 minutes before show time. 283-2195.

La Clemenza di Tito, one of Mozart’s final operatic masterpieces set in ancient Rome with Giuseppe Filianoti as the noble Tito. A live screening from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Saturday. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

The Joy of Christmas, a holiday revue by students from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Academy of Dancing with a Nativity scene and candy giveaway. Wyoming Area Secondary Center, 20 Memorial St., Exeter. 7 p.m. Saturday. $12. 287-7312.

Annie Jr., performed by students at Lake-Lehman High School, Old Route 115, Lehman Township. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $10 advance; $7, $6 students at the door 675-1761.

Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker,’ a filmed presentation from the Russian Imperial Mariinsky Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Monday at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre; 2 and 7:30 p.m. in 3D at Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 961-5943 or 825-4444.

Dietrich Radio Players, holiday episodes from old-time radio plays including Fibber McGee and Molly, My Friend Irma and Abbott and Costello. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 996-1500.

Live from Bloomsburg: A Very Special Christmas Special, a holiday musical variety show with stories of Christmases gone by in Bloomsburg along with singing and dancing and heartwarming moments of holiday cheer. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Moose Exchange, 203 Main St., Bloomsburg. 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday (Dec. 7); 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8. $15. 784-8181.

A Christmas Carol, a semi-staged reading of the Charles Dickens novel by Actors Circle. Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday (Dec. 8); 2 p.m. Dec. 9. $12, $10 seniors; $8 students. 342-9707.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Dramatic Society’s Production of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ a holiday production by Little Shiny Things about a group putting on the Dickens’ classic Christmas tale. Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409-411 Main St., Duryea. Dec. 7 to 15: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12. 457-3589.

An Evening of One-Act Comedies, with Agnes Cummings and Bob Schlesinger of Scranton Public Theatre. Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market St., Scranton. 8:15 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and 14-15. $12, $10. 344-3656.

Un Ballo in Maschera, Verdi’s dramatic opera of jealousy and vengeance with Marcelo Alvarez as the conflicted king and Sondra Radvanovsky as the object of his secret passion. A live screening from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Dec. 8. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

The Santaland Diaries, humorist David Sedaris’ hilarious recounting of a holiday season spent working as an elf at Macy’s Department Store. Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Moose Exchange, 203 W. Main St., Bloomsburg. 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 14 and 16; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Dec. 15. $15. For mature audiences. 784-8181.

The Nutcracker, the traditional holiday event performed by Ballet Northeast. Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 16. 821-8525.

The Winter Wonderettes, a holiday musical comedy performed by Applause Theatre, 64 Church St., Pittston. 8 p.m. Dec. 14-15; 3 p.m. Dec. 16. $15. 430-1149.

Verdi’s Aida, the ancient Egyptian drama with Liudmyla Monastyrska as the enslaved Ethiopian princess caught in a love affair with the heroic Radames (Roberto Alagna). A live screening from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Dec. 15. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Les Troyens, Berlioz’s vast epic (5.5 hours) set during the Trojan War with Deborah Voigt, Susan Graham, Marcello Giordani and Dwayne Croft leading the starry cast. A live screening from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Jan. 5. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

A Chorus Line, the long-running Broadway musical following 17 dancers through training for an audition of a lifetime. Winner of nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Jan. 11. $60, $50, $30. 826-1100.

Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic with Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, the Incredibles, Nemo, Stitch, Pinocchio and more. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 7 p.m. Jan. 16 to 18; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 19; 1 and 5 p.m. Jan. 20; 1 p.m. Jan. 21. $55, $25. 800-745-3000.

Busybody, a murder mystery with a detective superintendent plagued by two busybodies, a corpse that vanishes and an office cleaner who insists she saw a body. By Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Jan. 18 to 27: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Preview performance 8 p.m. Jan. 17. $12, $10 seniors; $8 students. 342-9707.

Maria Stuarda, the second opera in Donizetti’s Tudor trilogy with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato taking on the virtuosic bel-canto role of the doomed Mary Queen of Scots. A live screening from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Jan. 19. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

As You Like It, Shakespeare’s comedy about a high-spirited young girl, disguised as a boy, on the run from a tyrannical duke resulting in romantic mayhem, gender bending, witty barbs and power struggles. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theater, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. Jan. 25 to Feb. 2. 784-8181.

Monty Python’s Spamalot, the national Broadway tour in the outrageous musical comedy about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail. Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. Feb. 8. $34.50, $19.50 children. 389-4409.

The Addams Family, a magnificently macabre musical comedy about the weird TV family. Performed by a national touring company and presented by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. 8 p.m. Feb. 15; 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 16; 1 and 6 p.m. Feb. 17. 342-7784.

Rock of Ages, the five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical celebrating the music of the 1980s while following two performers hoping to make it big in the Los Angeles music industry. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Feb. 15. $62.50, $52.50, $35. 826-1100.

Verdi’s Rigoletto, a new production of the towering tragedy set in 1960s Las Vegas with Piotr Beczala as the Duke of Mantua and Zeljko Lucic as his tragic sidekick Rigoletto. A live presentation from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Feb. 16. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Parsifal, with Jonas Kaufmann in the title role of the wisdom-seeking innocent in Wagner’s final operatic masterpiece. A live presentation from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Noon on March 2. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

STOMP, the explosive, sophisticated and utterly unique percussion fest with the eight-member dance troupe using unconventional instruments including wooden poles, garbage cans, hubcaps and Zippo lighters. Performed by a national touring company and presented by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. March 5 and 6. 342-7784.

Flood Stories, Too, tales of the heartbreak and survival that came about after the 2011 flooding by Tropical Storm Lee. Written by Gerald Stropnicky and performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, the Bloomsburg University Players and the Bloomsburg Bicentennial Choir. Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. March 7 to 17. 784-5530.

Francesca da Rimini, Zandonai’s compelling opera inspired by an episode from Dante’s Inferno with Eva-Maria Westbroek and Marcello Giordani as the doomed lovers. A live presentation from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Noon on March 16. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Cathy Rigby Is Peter Pan! The Tony Award-nominee takes flight in an all-new production of the classic children’s story. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. 8 p.m. April 5; 2 and 8 p.m. April 6; 1 and 6 p.m. April 7. 342-7784.

Hair, the exuberant 1960s musical about young Americans searching for peace and love. Performed by a national touring company and presented by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. April 15 and 16. 342-7784.

Giulio Cesare, David McVicor’s lively production of the Handel opera starring countertenor David Daniels opposite Natalie Dessay as an irresistibly exotic Cleopatra. A live presentation from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. April 27. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

DreamGirls, the Broadway musical about the triumphs and tribulations of an up-and-coming 1960s girl group. Performed by a national touring company and presented by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. 8 p.m. May 10; 2 and 8 p.m. May 11; 1 and 6 p.m. May 12. 342-7784.

The Temptation of the Muses, a dance and chamber-music performance by Asian-American choreographer Nai-Ni Chen and the Ahn Trio. Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. May 11. $34.50, $19.50 children. 389-4409.

Cinderella, performed by Ballet Northeast. Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. May 31; 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 1; 2 p.m. June 2. 821-8525.

Auditions for ages 5 to 12 for the March production of Two Dumb Dogs. Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409-411 Main St., Duryea. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Auditions for the Music Box Dinner Playhouse’s February production of Annie. 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Monday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for girls age 6 to 12 and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for age 13 and older; Tuesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for ages 13 and older. 283-2195.

Auditions for the Phoenix Kids’ production of the musical Annie. For ages 5 to 13. Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409-411 Main St., Duryea. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12. 457-3589.