Thanksgiving traditionally ushers in the start of the holiday entertainment season with an array of pops concerts, children's shows, plays and Christmas oratorios.
Among old and new holiday traditions are three musical versions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Colonial Players' oldest and usually sold-out version has lyrics written by Rick Wade and music by Dick Gessner. It runs Dec. 5 to Dec. 8 and Dec. 12 to Dec. 15. A limited number of seats remain. Tickets are $6. Information: 410-268- 7373.
Another long-standing traditional presentation of the Dickens tale is at the Annapolis dinner theater, Chesapeake Music Hall, where diners can enjoy Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carol on weekends from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21. Prices range from $30.50 to $33.50. Student, senior and group rates are available. Tickets: 410-626-7516.
A newer offering - begun only last year at Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts in Brooklyn Park - is Musical Artists Theatre's updated version of A Christmas Carol, with music by Doug Yetter and lyrics by Michael Hulett. Running from Dec. 6 to Dec. 22 in the Main Theater, tickets are $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Tickets: 410-636-6597.
Another holiday tradition, in its sixth year, is the Pasadena Theatre Company's stage version of the film classic It's a Wonderful Life, to be presented at Anne Arundel Community College's Humanities Recital Hall for three weekends, starting Saturday through Dec. 15. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Tickets: 410-969-1801.
And what would the holiday season be without a show by and for children?
The Talent Machine Company's Holiday Magic 2002 features a cast of 67 youngsters, ages 7 through 17, who will sing and dance to classic and new holiday tunes. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays from Dec. 13 through Dec. 22 at Key Auditorium on St. John's College campus in Annapolis. Ticket prices are $10; $6 for children 5 and younger. Tickets: 410-956-0512.
The Children's Theatre of Annapolis also has something ready for next month - Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, to be presented at Anne Arundel Community College's Pascal Center for Performing Arts, with matinee and evening performances Dec. 15 through Dec. 22. Tickets are $8; senior and group discounts are available. Information: 410-757-2281.
Among the most cherished holiday traditions are annual performances of Handel's Messiah, with two to be offered by the Annapolis Chorale at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Annapolis. At 8 p.m. Dec. 21, the complete work using the 1750 Covent Garden original version will be offered; at 3 p.m. the next day, Part I of Messiah will be sung.
The chorale will also perform a Celebration of Christmas Concert Dec. 13 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Information: 410-263-1906.
A few seats remain for the U.S. Naval Academy's two Messiah performances. Tickets: 410-293-TIXS.
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will provide an evening of holiday favorites with guest conductor Robert Moody, soprano Wendi Washington-Hunt and the All Children's Chorus of Annapolis at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Tickets cost $25, $30 and $35; $10 for students. Information: 410-263-0907.
The Annapolis Opera will continue a holiday tradition of offering its Mozart by Candlelight concert, with the venue moved to the Radisson Hotel in Annapolis. At 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, Artistic Director Ronald J. Gretz will accompany mezzo-soprano Grace Gori, soprano Mary Gresock and baritone Timothy Mix in a program of selected Mozart arias. Tickets are $35 for nonmembers, $32 for members, which includes a dessert buffet. Tickets: 410-267-8135.
Another local holiday tradition is Ballet Theatre of Maryland's presentation of The Nutcracker, with performances scheduled at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts on Dec. 6, 7, 8, and 14.
For the second year the dancers will be accompanied by the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra led by guest conductor Charles Rosekrans. Choreographed by the company's late founder, Edward Stewart, The Nutcracker will be staged by ballet mistress Leslie Bradley. Prima ballerina Zhirui Zou reprises her role as Clara and will also dance the role of Sugar Plum Fairy.
Tickets are $26 to $41. Information: 410-263-2909.
Those of us planning to gorge on these holiday festivities may need an antidote such as the zany comedy Beyond Therapy by New York-based playwright Christopher Durang. A new professional theater troupe, The Bay Theatre Company, is now in final rehearsals for a Dec. 6 opening date. Hoping to find a permanent downtown location, Bay Theatre Company founders Lucinda Merry Browne and Janet Luby for now will present their shows in the Griscom Building at Truxton Park. Beyond Therapy runs for two weekends Dec. 6 through Dec. 15. Information: 410-263-6671.