THEATER
A lavish 'Carol'
A lavish production of Charles Dickens' perennial favorite, "A Christmas Carol," is being staged by Thunderbird Limited Inc. in the spacious Central Center auditorium in downtown Chambersburg, Pa. The elaborate show is under the direction of Baltimorean Carl Schurr, producing artistic director of the Totem Pole Playhouse. The play stars Baltimore actor Wil Love as the miser Scrooge. Performances are at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at 285 E. Queen St., Chambersburg, Pa. Tickets: matinee $10/$11; evening $13/$14. Call (717) 267-3582.
"The Naked Gun 2 1/2 : The Smell of Fear" is a very funny, gag-rich sequel to the original film that appeared three years ago. Leslie Nielsen continues as the oafish Lt. Frank Drebin, who wouldn't know a clue if he tripped over it. In the sequel, he is visiting Washington where he attends an energy conference that is about to be sabotaged by the bad guys. Priscilla Presley is in the cast. Language. Rating: PG-13. ***.
Lou Cedrone Barbra Streisand has done extremely well in bringing Pat Conroy's "Prince of Tides" to the screen. She has been extremely faithful to the plot. Nick Nolte plays the lead role, that of a Southern high school teacher who visits New York where his sister is being treated by a psychiatrist. Streisand plays the psychiatrist. The director is a bit self-indulgent in the love scenes, but that's the only sin she commits. Language, sex. Rating: PG-13. ****.
Lou Cedrone
TELEVISION
A story of love and healing
Gena Rowlands and Tyne Daly stand among the tall timber of TV actors. And they are together tomorrow night at 9 on WBAL-TV (Channel 11) in "Face of a Stranger." The made-for-TV movie is about the relationship that develops between a previously affluent widow (Rowlands) and a homeless woman (Daly), as they come together in adversity. It's a story of love and healing that showcases two actresses we see all too little of these days on TV.
David Zurawik To be honest, there aren't going to be a lot of surprises when the Ramones hit the stage at Hammerjacks tonight. After all, the band's sound hasn't changed appreciably since the mid-'70s, when the Ramones came up with the sound that would spark the punk revolution. But then, who needs change, when the tried-and-true works as well as it does for these guys? Gabba gabba hey, indeed. Tickets are $8.50, and the doors open at 8 p.m. Call (410) 659-7625 for more information.
J.D. Considine