{"id":44583,"date":"2019-12-18T08:41:07","date_gmt":"2019-12-18T13:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=44583"},"modified":"2019-12-18T08:42:06","modified_gmt":"2019-12-18T13:42:06","slug":"on-stage-little-red-robin-hood-at-peoples-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=44583","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Little Red Robin Hood at People&#8217;s Light"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span lang=\"EN\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <\/span><em><span lang=\"EN\">Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10775\" style=\"width: 240px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/little-red-robin-hood.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10775\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10775\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/little-red-robin-hood-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10775\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Little Red Robin Hood: A Musical Panto!<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Now is a great time to take a break from the holiday frenzy and enjoy a few hours of watching a stage production. It\u2019s a great time because there are great options \u2013 several classic ballet productions of \u201cThe Nutcracker,\u201d two holiday-themed stage shows and a brand-new panto.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Now through January 5, People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, <a title=\"Protected by Outlook: http:\/\/peopleslight.org. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeopleslight.org&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb965cedcb847488a36d308d768736cd1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637092717262279910&amp;sdata=KgXlOJNrFh5jdGDvRfcO7ZBAaZ8W8auId6PKkLgtoSU%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">peopleslight.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cLittle Red Robin Hood: A Musical Panto!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This might sound confusing \u2013 is it about Robin Hood or about Little Red Riding Hood?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Actually, it\u2019s a production in which fairy tales collide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Each year, the People\u2019s Light holiday panto transforms a beloved children\u2019s story into a musical extravaganza filled with outrageous characters, toe-tapping original music, slapstick comedy, and topical humor for both kids and adults. For the first time, People\u2019s Light adapts not one, but two classic stories \u2013 the Robin Hood legend and Little Red Riding Hood \u2013 to create a holiday show like nothing you\u2019ve ever seen.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">If you\u2019re wondering what a \u201cpanto\u201d is \u2013 here\u2019s the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Emerging from commedia dell\u2019arte, the Twelfth Night holiday, and the Festival of Fools, the Christmas \u201cpantomime\u201d dates back to the 18th century and remains the most popular theatre form in Great Britain. In a single year, 19 pantos played in London and 187 in the rest of the country. Over the past 16 years, People\u2019s Light has tailored the British form into its own unique brand of holiday hilarity, attracting thousands of visitors every holiday season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Traditionally, pantos typically take a well-known fairy tales or other favorite children\u2019s story and turn it on its ear. Favorite stories, which have inspired countless different pantos, are Aladdin, Robin Hood, Cinderella, Dick Wittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks and Snow White.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">These familiar stories form the basis for exaggeration, variation and topical social commentary, as well as outrageous jokes, humorous songs, sprightly dances and, sometimes, a strangely affecting love story. The tradition has developed some fairly rigid conventions of plotting, casting and story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Here are some of the familiar elements that audiences at People\u2019s Light have come to relish: The Dame: a boisterous yet benevolent matriarch played by a man in a fabulous dress; a hero (sometimes played by a woman); a heroine; and a stock villain; \u201cSkin roles,\u201d animal pals who help our hero in his or her adventures; a comic duo; A basic story that explores themes of love, friendship, and good vs. evil; music, dance, and slapstick; audience participation: boo, cheer, even argue with the characters onstage; satire of local events, government policies, and famous people; a \u201cslosh scene\u201d or \u201cmessy bit\u201d: a slapstick routine with something wet, gooey, and\/or slippery; a \u201ccandy bit\u201d: the actors throw candy into the audience, sometimes by the villain\u2019s lackeys to get information about the hero; and silly songs that the audience joins in singing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Since the 18th century, audiences have gathered in droves to enjoy the songs, jokes, costumes and treats of this Christmas celebration. At People\u2019s Light, we\u2019re having great fun joining this tradition, adjusting it to our culture and aesthetic, bringing it to our time and place. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">In this world premiere panto, Robin Hood is dead, his merry men are in hiding, and Nottinghamshire is taken over by greedy villainess Lady Nottingham. When young Amelia, a bow-wielding orphan raised by outlaws, is sent on a mission to save \u201cthe Granny in the woods\u201d from Lady Nottingham\u2019s right-hand wolf, an epic adventure begins. The show is set in the 1940s with a dash of the medieval.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show features Viveca Chow as Amelia (Little Red Riding Hood herself), Mary Elizabeth Scallen as a villainous Lady Nottingham, Mark Lazar as Maud (The Dame), and Tom Teti as Friar Tuck. This marks the fifth collaboration between playwright Kathryn Petersen and composer\/lyricist Michael Ogborn. Petersen and Ogborn are joined by award-winning director Bill Fennelly, whose work has been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt\u2019s always exciting to be creating something,\u201d said Chow, during a phone interview last week from Malvern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThis is my first panto but not my first experience with panto. I grew in Hong Kong, which was a British colony. So, the English art form was strong there. I remember seeing a panto of \u2018Sleeping Beauty\u2019 when I was young.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Chow is an actress known for the films \u201cThe Country Club\u201d and \u201cThe 71st Annual Tony Awards.\u201d She also performed in \u201cMiss Saigon\u201d on Broadway in 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI left Hong King when I was 18,\u201d said Chow, who is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI came to America and got a BFA in music theater from Point Park College in Pittsburgh. Then, I moved to New York.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cEarlier this year, I got a call from Steven Purdy, my vocal coach in New York, who said \u2013 my friend Bill Fennelly is looking for an actress to play Amelia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI was working in a show \u2013 \u2018Grease\u2019 \u2013 up in the Finger Lakes so I sent them a tape. After watching the tape, the wanted me for a callback. I still was unable to come to New York, so I did the callback via Skype. Being able to do it via Skype was very special.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Obviously, the team of Fennelly, Ogborn and Petersen felt Chow was something special and they offered the part.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cAt the end of August, most of the cast got together at People\u2019s Light and read a very-close-to-final draft,\u201d said Chow. \u201cWe started rehearsals in late October.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cBecause these songs were never sung before, some things were changed during rehearsals. One thing was finding the perfect key for me as Amelia. This show has a lot of room for improv \u2013 and the audience is in on the improv. There is a lot of \u2018yes, and\u2026\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cYes, and&#8230;\u201d thinking is a rule-of-thumb in improvisational comedy that suggests that a participant should accept what another participant has stated (\u201cyes\u201d) and then expand on that line of thinking (\u201cand\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">While \u201cLittle Red Robin Hood\u201d delivers exciting new characters, music, and adventures, People\u2019s Light audiences can expect those same signature panto elements they know and love \u2013 the Dame: a boisterous and benevolent matriarch played by a man in a fabulous dress, heroes to cheer, villains to \u201cboo\u201d, animal sidekicks, candy for the crowd, a \u201cmessy bit\u201d, and audience participation that brings everyone into the action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt\u2019s been rewarding because you have to think quickly on your feet,\u201d said Chow, who spent time a few years ago teaching English to kids in Cambodia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cBill gave us a very detailed description of the panto process. Certain roles such as heroine and villain have to be in there. The heroes always have to enter from stage right and the villains from stage left. There is always a messy bit and it always has to be based on a fairy tale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for \u201cLittle Red Robin Hood: A Musical Panto!\u201d &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZqqLVwFoaBI\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZqqLVwFoaBI<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at People\u2019s Light will through January 5. Tickets range from $21.50-$53.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10776\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pa-ballet.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10776\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10776\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pa-ballet-350x217.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"217\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10776\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Pennsylvania Ballet<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s annual production of \u201cGeorge Balanchine\u2019s The Nutcracker\u201d has been one of the premier Philadelphia holiday traditions for more than a half-century. For thousands of people, a trip to Philadelphia to enjoy the lavish presentation by the world-famous Pennsylvania Ballet is an integral part of the holiday season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This year\u2019s production, which is running now through December 31 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-893-1999, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paballet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.paballet.org<\/a>), is the 51st annual staging of the classic ballet. The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman\u2019s tale \u201cThe Nutcracker and The Mouse King\u201d and set to a score by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Featuring lively dances, colorful costumes and elaborate sets, \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a production that appeals to audiences of all ages. The original version of the timeless classic was first presented in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892. This is the sixth season artistic director Angel Corella has been doing \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d with the Pennsylvania Ballet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Dancer Adrianna de Svastich has an even longer history with the show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThis is my 11th season doing \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 with the Pennsylvania Ballet,\u201d said deSvastich. \u201cBut it hasn\u2019t been 11 years in a row. I took a couple years off to freelance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIn my first year in the show back in 2005, I was in party scene, dolls, snow, flowers and marzipan. This year, I have party scene, snow, flowers and marzipan \u2013 and I dance the lead in Spanish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Adrianna de Svastich began her training under Leonid Kozlov in Ramsey, NJ and then continued at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City. During her final year at SAB, Adrianna performed with New York City Ballet in George Balanchine\u2019s Serenade\u201d and \u201cChopiniana,\u201d as well as Susan Stroman\u2019s \u201cDouble Feature.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">She joined Pennsylvania Ballet in 2005 as a member of PBII. She was hired as an apprentice in August 2007 and promoted to corps de ballet in 2009, where she remained through the 2010\/2011 season before rejoining our corps de ballet in May of 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">While with Pennsylvania Ballet, de Svastich has performed in a wide range of ballets, including George Balanchine\u2019s \u201cThe Four Temperaments\u201d and \u201cSerenade,\u201d Jerome Robbins\u2019 \u201cThe Concert,\u201d and Christopher Wheeldon\u2019s \u201cCarnival of the Animals.\u201d Her featured roles include Cygnets in Christopher Wheeldon\u2019s \u201cSwan Lake\u201d and the second pas de deux in Hans van Manen\u2019s \u201cAdagio Hammerklavier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">From 2011-2016, de Svastich performed with numerous companies, including Ballet Fleming and Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet in Philadelphia, Barak Ballet in Los Angeles, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, Kathryn Posin Dance Company, and MorDance in New York. She has choreographed for the School of American Ballet Student Choreography Workshop, Shut Up &amp; Dance, BalletFleming, and the Koresh Artist Showcase. She received her Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012, having graduated with honors (magna cum laude).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cI was going to the University of Pennsylvania part-time while I was dancing with the Pennsylvania Ballet,\u201d said de Svastich. \u201cI was a history major and did two archive digs in Tuscany, Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWith \u2018The Nutcracker, my favorite roles are demi-flower in \u2018Waltz of the Flowers\u2019 and the lead in \u2018Spanish.\u2019 It\u2019s a lot of fun to do \u2018Spanish.\u2019 It\u2019s the first dance of the second act so we come out with a burst of energy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Corella<\/span><span lang=\"EN\"> has also appeared as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet in London, the Kirov Ballet in Russia, and New York City Ballet. From 2008-2014, he served as director for his own company, the Barcelona Ballet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cBallet is full-time\u2014for me and for the dancers,\u201d said Corella. \u201cWe try to refresh \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 every year \u2013 to bring a new direction and a new energy to it \u2013 to have new dancers and old dancers in new roles. I try to bring in new elements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe energy and dynamic of the company are changing. It\u2019s very exciting now. With \u2018The Nutcracker,\u2019 it might be the first time for audience members, so dancers have to go onstage like it\u2019s the first time. It\u2019s very important that the theatrical part of the show is there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe challenge is to keep it fresh. But no-one would dare to change the choreography. It\u2019s always true to Balanchine. We have to record all the shows and send them to the Balanchine Trust.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Balanchine\u2019s choreography plays a major role in the Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s annual production of \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d The company has been doing both acts by Balanchine for more than three decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">George Balanchine, who was named Giorgi Balanchivadze when he was born in Russia in 1904, was one of the last century\u2019s most celebrated choreographers. He was a primary developer of ballet in the United States in his position as co-founder and ballet master of New York City Ballet. Balanchine created his version of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d for the New York City Ballet in 1955.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s production of the ballet features over 100 performers and has an annual audience attendance of over 50,000. The company\u2019s production is big, colorful and elaborate. And, it is staged in one of the most beautiful performance halls in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The version of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet features everything audiences associate with the timeless ballet\u2014a cast of 19th-century families celebrating Christmas Eve, a little girl\u2019s dream of her Nutcracker Prince, the Prince\u2019s toy soldiers battling a fleet of mice led by the Mouse King and the crowd-pleasing second act of dances in the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cRight now, we\u2019re still doing Balanchine\u2019s \u2018Nutcracker\u2019 because it works,\u201d said Corella. \u201cBalanchine\u2019s \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 is one of the best in the world. At the Pennsylvania Ballet, I\u2019ve gotten my first chance to do Balanchine\u2019s choreography. I\u2019ve always done other versions \u2013 even when I was a dancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt has nice choreography. It\u2019s great to be able to do this show and give it justice. I haven\u2019t made any changes to the choreography. We stay respectful to Balanchine\u2019s original choreography. We just make sure the dancers stay under control.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt\u2019s a classic that dancers love. A good way to change it is to have a different approach. When I danced, the approach would be different every night. I think every dancer can make it special and different every day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">One thing that never changes is the audiences\u2019 love for \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d It is a spectacular production that turns everyone\u2014adults, children and seniors\u2014into wide-eyed kids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s production of \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 is a tradition \u2013 a time for everyone to come together,\u201d said de Svastich. \u201cAnd, we have the tradition of doing the Balanchine version for a long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s \u201cGeorge Balanchine\u2019s The Nutcracker\u201d &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/WrGAwSk6tVY\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/WrGAwSk6tVY<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Evening, matinee, and morning performances are scheduled now through December 31. Ticket prices start at $35.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10777\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/bwine-ballet-nut.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10777\" class=\"wp-image-10777 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/bwine-ballet-nut-350x272.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"272\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10777\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brandywine Ballet<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Another annual top-flight production of the classic ballet \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is presented by the Brandywine Ballet (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.brandywineballet.org\/\">www.brandywineballet.org<\/a>). The 2019 production marks the 40th year the local company has been presenting its version of \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The ballet is based on the timeless tale \u201cThe Nutcracker and The Mouse King\u201d and set to a score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. With its familiar music and energetic dance numbers, \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a show that appeals to audiences of all ages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">This performance is one of Chester County\u2019s signature holiday events, and features original, traditional choreography by David Kloss and Donna L. Muzio, integrated with new choreographic elements by Nancy Page. Brandywine Ballet\u2019s eight-performance run of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d continues to delight audiences each December with a tour de force of beauty and elegance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The Brandywine Ballet\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a professional show that features skilled dancers, lively choreography, colorful costumes and sparkling sets. The show will run now through December 22 at West Chester University\u2019s Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall (700 South High Street, West Chester, 610-696-2711, <a title=\"Protected by Outlook: http:\/\/www.brandywineballet.org\/. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brandywineballet.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C6cc9090339484b217b4508d77ff462ee%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637118560179691351&amp;sdata=Z6gpXRh76ABmiKpdfaipU1qQs8uL0CrdTdYiyLE2Bf4%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.brandywineballet.org<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Performances of the ballet are scheduled for December 19 at 10 a.m., December 21 at noon and 4 p.m., and December 22 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/first-state-ballet.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10778 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/first-state-ballet-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thegrandwilmington.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>) is hosting a quartet of performances of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d by the First State Ballet Theatre.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The production is a ballet in two acts with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreography by Pasha Kambalov. The ballet, which had original choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa, had its premiere on December 18, 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Performances by the First State Ballet Theatre are scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. on December 21 and 1 and 4:30 p.m. on December 22.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for First State Ballet\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ceun9LRWy_A\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ceun9LRWy_A<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Ticket prices for the shows at The Grand Opera House range from $14.99-$50.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The New Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0<a title=\"Protected by Outlook: http:\/\/www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org\/. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.candlelighttheatredelaware.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C46a0f39bb9c849981b1608d76f14bf78%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637100007344243816&amp;sdata=GkR8hlYpxhZMckHcOjNLrBqk7qJHFzXLgINw4RVMSbY%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) celebrates the holiday season with special dinner theater show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/candlelight-theatre.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-10779\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/candlelight-theatre-298x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"298\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>\u201cChristmas by Candlelight\u201d is the theater\u2019s heartwarming celebration of the yuletide season \u2013 a bi-annual event that is back by popular demand. The show features classic holiday tunes, as well as some new surprises \u2013 all performed by fans\u2019 favorite \u201cCandlelighters.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $63 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12). All seats are reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-648-4102, <a title=\"Protected by Outlook: http:\/\/www.AMTshows.com. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.AMTshows.com&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C46a0f39bb9c849981b1608d76f14bf78%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637100007344253821&amp;sdata=R8heXCx%2F2azHpsL%2FH%2B58ugJtA53%2F%2BhYYBQbB5j48jNs%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.AMTshows.com<\/a>) has its holiday show running now through December 30.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The AMT\u2019s 2019 show \u201cJoy to the World\u201d is an all-new presentation of favorite sacred and secular holiday songs performed by professional artists from across the country. The show will feature spectacular vocal harmonies, lively musical arrangements, impressive dancing and the music of the AMT Orchestra.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Also featured will be elaborate scenery, elegant costumes and a theater decked out with holiday decorations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show will have both matinee and evening performances each week with the addition of 10:30 a.m. performances on Saturdays throughout December. Show length is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Tickets are $46 for adults and $23 for children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">There is aslo a one-night only event taking place at a rock club in Philly \u2013 a concert by Moniker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The word \u201cmoniker\u201d means \u201ca name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">What\u2019s in a name?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Well, a lot actually if you\u2019re talking about Moniker as a band name.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10780\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/moniker.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10780\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-10780\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/moniker-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Moniker<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Moniker as a band name could refer to a rock trio from Richmond, Virginia or to a rock band from Wellington, New Zealand. It could refer to a jazz\/hip hop band from Atlanta or an EDM band from Australia. It could refer to a soul band from LaCrosse, Wisconsin or it could refer to The Moniker, a singer\/songwriter from Sweden.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On December 18, Century Bar (1350 South 29th Street, Philadelphia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/centuryphila\/\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/centuryphila\/<\/a>) is hosting a show by Moniker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Which Moniker will be performing in South Philly Wednesday night?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The answer is Moniker from Richmond &#8212; a trio featuring Jordan Scott, Ro-Derrick Branch and Madison Hinson.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The project of songwriter Jordan Scott, Moniker began from some home recordings he made while living in New York and working odd jobs, with the \u201cMONiKER EP\u201d and \u201cAll Things Excellent\u201d both released in quick succession in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt started out as a solo project,\u201d said Scott, during a phone interview last week from his home in Richmond.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cIt was more by necessity \u2013 as an outlet for my songwriting. It made sense to give it a band name. It\u2019s been a slow evolution since then,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">In 2016, the first full album \u201cMONiKER LP\u201d was released.\u00a0 Dealing with the loss of a friend, \u201cGood Bye Waste Land\u201d was written by Scott in 2016, using the sounds of rock music to evoke bygone memories of teenage years in suburban Virginia. The album came out in 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Afterwards, he returned Moniker to Richmond and assembled a new lineup while continuing to tour and record. With Ro-Derrick Branch joining the project, Moniker\u2019s new album, \u201cPrivate Prophet,\u201d was released on Good Eye Records in early 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cRo-Derrick and I met in college \u2013 at William &amp; Mary University,\u201d said Scott.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWhen we were at William &amp; Mary, we played in a Middle East music ensemble. I played oud. We went on a trip together to Morocco.\u00a0 New York was the first place I moved after college.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cThe \u2018MONiKER EP\u2019 was a home version. I had a group of songs and I was trying out some different styles. I spent some time teaching in the Alsace region of France. When I came back, \u2018Good Bye Waste Land\u2019 was the first real Moniker album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Scott eventually returned to Richmond where began working with Branch. He also he works as a substitute teacher there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cRo-Derrick and I have been playing together in this band for about two years now,\u201d said Scott.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">On March 1, 2019, Moniker officially released its \u201cPrivate Prophet\u201d album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">\u201cWe recorded the album at the end of 2018,\u201d said Scott. \u201cWe recorded it using Logic and then used mixing gear in a studio. We spent a few months mixing and mastering it and the pressed CDs early this year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">Video link for Moniker \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/8db_ox9RVnk\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/8db_ox9RVnk<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN\">The show at Century Bar, which also features The Bad Bees and Birdspotter, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Now is a great time to take a break from the holiday frenzy and enjoy a few hours of watching a stage production. It\u2019s a great time because there are great options \u2013 several classic ballet productions of \u201cThe Nutcracker,\u201d two holiday-themed stage shows and a brand-new panto. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[1973,10721,7426,6214,12702,12703,8000,7825],"class_list":["post-44583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-brandywine-ballet","tag-candlelight-theatre","tag-featured","tag-first-state-ballet","tag-little-red-robin-hood","tag-moniker","tag-pennsylvania-ballet","tag-peoples-light"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44583"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44584,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44583\/revisions\/44584"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}