This Weekend’s Highlights:
Friday, December 6
Souvenir, by Stephen Temperley, directed by Wes Grantom, featuring Linda Mugleston (Florence Foster Jenkins), and Bob Walton (Cosmé McMoon), opens at Salt Lake City’s Pioneer Theater Company.
A Guide for the Homesick, by Ken Urban, directed by Shira Milikowsky, featuring McKinley Belcher III and Uly Schlesinger, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s DR2 Theatre.
Marathon private industry readings, by Kara Cutruzzula & Kristoffer Bjarke, directed by Tyrone L. Robinson, featuring Liz Callaway, Thom Sesma, Leana Rae Concepcion, Ethan Carlson, Stephanie Bacastow, and Tracy Sallows. Info: rsvp@mixandmatchproductions.com
The Cowards: A Marvelously Queer New Comedy industry reading at NYC’s Pearl Studios (time not reported), by Ryan O’Connor, directed by Michael Wilson, featuring Katrina Link, Ryan O’Connor, Taylor Schilling, Lawrence Coward, Eva Reign as Ruby Coward, Isaiah Standard as Spencer Coward, Veanne Cox, Brandon Uranowitz, Charlie Barnett, Ari Notartomaso, and Makai Hernandez. 
A queer, modern take on Noël Coward’s Hay Fever, centering on a four-person dysfunctional chosen family unit that each invites a surprise guest to join them in Provincetown for the weekend. Info: Info@MartianEntertainment.com
Harlem Holidays benefit concert, hosted by Kara Young, featuring Brandon Victor Dixon, at 8 PM at NYC’s Red Rooster Harlem.
Saturday, December 7
Holiday Regards concert, by Michael Colby, directed by Sara Louise Lazarus, featuring Linda Purl, Robert Cuccioli, Bethe Austin, and Steven Brinberg, with Celia Berk, Nikita Burshteyn, Eric Michael Gillett, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, and Megan Styrna, opens at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages.
Rebel with a Cause: The Artistry and Activism of Nina Simon concert, by Jocelyn Bioh, starring Amber Iman, opens at NYC’s 92NY.
A Cowboy Lullaby, world premiere written & directed by James O’Neil, featuring Sylvie Davidson and Trevor Wheetman, with Bill Flores, Dave Jackson, and Dan Wheetman, opens at Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre.
Ensemble Theatre Company‘s Million Dollar Quartet, directed by Brian McDonald, featuring Blake Burgess (Johnny Cash, Nick Voss (Elvis Presley), Will Riddle (Carl Perkins), Ian Fairlee (Jerry Lee Lewis), Janaya Mahealani Jones (Dyanne), Andy Hoff (Sam Phillips,) Jordan Lamoureux (Brother Jay), and Gus Graham (Fluke), opens at Santa Barbara’s New Vic.
Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish, world premiere by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Becky Lythgoe, featuring Sally Struthers (Madame Gothel), Darcy Rose Byrnes, L.J. Benet, Ralph Cole Jr., Douglas Ladnier, and Larry Saperstein, previews at Laguna Playhouse.
Strategic Love Play, by Miriam Battye, directed by Katie Posner, featuring Heléne Yorke and Michael Zegen, closes at Off-Broadway’s Minetta Lane Theatre.
Troubies’ Home Alone-ly Hearts Club Band opens at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
The Tempest, directed by Jamie Lloyd, featuring Sigourney Weaver (Prospero), Jude Akuwudike (Alonso), Jason Barnett (Stephano), Selina Cadell (Gonzalo), Mathew Horne (Trinculo), Mara Huf (Miranda), Forbes Masson (Caliban), Mason Alexander Park (Ariel), James Phoon (Ferdinand), Oliver Ryan (Sebastian), and Tim Steed (Antonio, begins previews at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
London’s National Theatre’s screening of Jack Thorne’s The Motive and the Cue, directed by Sam Mendes, featuring Mark Gatiss (John Gielgud) and Johnny Flynn (Richard Burton), at 3 PM at at UCLA‘s James Bridges Theatre.
I Happen to Like Cole Porter concert, hosted by Deborah Grace Winer, featuring Karen Ziemba, Margo Seibert, and Milton Suggs, at 5 & 7:30 (M, at Lincoln Center‘s Dizzy’s Club.
Royal Shakespeare Company’s Pericles, directed byTamara Harvey, featuring Zach Wyatt (Prince Pericles), Miles Barrow (Thaliard/Boult), Philip Bird (Helicanus), Jacqueline Boatswain (Cerimon/Bawd), Rachelle Diedericks (Marina), Chyna‑Rose Frederick (Antiochus’ Daughter/Lychorida/Diana), Leah Haile (Thaisa), Felix Hayes (Anitochus/Pander), Kel Matsena (Lysimachus), Chukwuma Omambala (Cleon), Sam Parks (Escanes, Leonine), Christian Patterson (Simonides), and Gabby Wong (Dionyza), with Miriam O’Brien, Emmanuel Olusanya, and Sasha Ghoshal, at 5 PM at Chicago Shakespeare Company.
Sunday, December 8
Diary of a Tap Dancer, written & choreographed by Ayodele Casel, directed by Torya Beard, featuring Ayodele Casel, Naomi Funaki, Afra Hines, Quynn L. Johnson, Funmi Sofola, Liberty Styles, Annaliese Wilbur, and Ki’Leigh Williams, opens at Cambridges A.R.T.
Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish, world premiere by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Becky Lythgoe, featuring Sally Struthers (Madame Gothel), Darcy Rose Byrnes, L.J. Benet, Ralph Cole Jr., Douglas Ladnier, and Larry Saperstein, opens at Laguna Playhouse.
A Merry Little Christmas Carol, by Mark Shanahan, directed & choreographed by Jordan Setzer, featuring Adalee Alt (Ghostly Chils), Beatty Barnes (Ebenezer Scrooge),Ella Beshears, Patrick Halley, Dave Hobbs, Sarah Manton, Steve Pacek, Miri Quaintance, Greta Scott, Wyllow Smith, Anna Sosa, Refiye Tappan, Russel Teagle, Stormie Treveiño, and Margo Von Buseck, opens at Virginia Stage.
The Coward: A Marvelously Queer New Comedy invitation-only NYC reading, by Ryan O’Connor, today at Pearl Studios, Directed by Michael Wilson.
Steve Ross and Jed Distler Birthday Bash concert, at 2 PM at NYC’s Klarierhaus (790 11th Ave), offering both live & livestreamed options.
Tammy Faye, by Elton John, the Scissor Sisters, Jake Shears & James Graham, directed by Rupert Goold, featuring Katie Brayben (Tammy Fay), Christian Borle (Jim Bakker), Nick Bailey (Paul Crouch), Charl Brown (Steve Pieters), Mark Evans (Billy Graham), Allison Guinn (Jan Crouch), Ian Lassiter (Jimmy Swaggart/Ronald Reagan/Archbishop), Raymond J. Lee (John Fletcher), Max Gordon Moore (Thomas S. Monson/Marvin Gorman), Alana Pollard (Jessica Hahn), and Andy Taylor (Pat Robertson/Ted Turner), and Autumn Hurlbert (alternate Tammy Fay), with Amanda Clement, Michael Di Liberto, Jonathan Duvelson, Lily Kaufmann, Denis Lambert, Elliott Mattox, Brittany Nicholas, Kevin Quillon, Aveena Sawyer, Allysa Shorte, TJ Tapp, Daniel Torres, and Dana Wilton, closes at Broadway’s Palace Theatre.
The Hills of California, by Jez Butterworth, directed by Sam Mendes, featuring Laura Connelly (Joan/Veronica), Leanne Best (Gloria), Ophelia Lovibond (Ruby), Helena Wilson (Jill), Nancy Allsop (Young Gloria), Sophia Ally (Young Ruby), Lara McDonnell (Young Joan), and Nicola Turner (Young Jill), with Bryan Dick, Richard Short, David Wilson Barnes, Richard Lumsden, Ta’Rea Campbell, Sawyer Barth, Ellyn Heald, Cameron Scoggins, and Max Roll… and understudies Erin Rose Doyle, Sadie Veach, Liz Pearce, Jessica Baglow, Liam Bixby, and Q. Smith, closes at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre.
Holiday Regards: A Revue to Celebrate concert, directed by Sara Louise Lazarus, featuring Linda Purl, Robert Cuccioli, Bethe Austin, and Steven Brinberg, with Elia Berk, Nikita Burshteyn, Eric Michael Billett, Stephanie Pope Lofgren, and Megan Styrna, closes at Off-Broadway’s Urban Stages.
Hughie, by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Michael Rothaar, featuring Anthony Foux and Stuart W. Howard, closes at Venice CA’s Pacific Resident Theatre.
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Video: Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club music video of Adam Lambert performing “I Don’t Care Much.”
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Industry presentations of Michael Roberts & Shannon Hunt’s London Swings will take place Dec. 10 & 12 (both at 4 PM) at Off-Broadway’s Theater 555, directed by Christopher Scott, with music direction by Michael Roberts. 
& 
: Boxoffice@theater555.com.
Anne Brummel, Nikita Burshteyn, Andrew Robin Cekala, Katie Emerseon, Kate Loprest, Geena Quintos, and Joey Sorge.
It’s 1966 and London is swinging. Into this world of artists and hedonists comes Helen on her fortieth birthday, direct from a privileged Long Island life. Amid the swingers and the highflyers, the musicians and the pleasure seekers, Helen seeks to discover her right place.
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Speakeasy Stage will present Jordan E. Cooper’s Ain’t No Mo Jan. 10 – Feb. 8, 2025 at Boston’s Calderwood Pavilion, directed by Dawn M. Simmons.
Schanaya Barrows, Dru Sky Berrian, MaConnia Chesser, Grant Evan, De’Lon Grant, and Kiera Prusmack.
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Union Station, written & directed by Ron Harner, will run Jan. 23-26 at the Broadwater Mainstage (1078 Lillian Way), directed by Ron Harner.
Mary Simmons, Chad Skiles, Thea Lux, and Charlie Wood.
A talented musician who finds solace in Mitchell’s lyrics as she searches for the right words to express herself. At a crossroads, she boards a train to visit her favorite aunt, hoping to gain a new perspective on life. Along the way, unexpected characters become companions on her journey, helping her discover the answers she’s been looking for.
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John Buchan’s The 39 Steps will run Dec. 11-22 (opening Dec. 12) at CA’s Coachella Valley Rep, directed by Jamie Torcellini.
Louis Lotorto (Clown 1), Matthew Floyd Miller (Richard Hannay), Ashley Morton (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret), and Christopher Shaw (Clown 2).
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Simply Barbra: The Holiday Show, starring Steven Brinberg, will take place Wed. Dec. 11 at 9 PM at Off-Broadway’s Urban Stages, with music direction by Michael Lavine.
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A Musical Christmas Carol, byLynn Ahrens & Mike Ockrent, will run Dec. 13-22 at Pittsburgh CLO, directed by directed by Scott Evans.
Charles Shaughnessy (Ebenezer Scrooge), Theo Allyn (Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig),
Christian Clausnitzer (Did Wilkins/Peter Cratchit), Allison Dorser, Justin Fortunato (Fred), Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Bob Cratchit), Lisa Ann Goldsmith (Mrs. Cratchit), Kat Harkins (Belle/A.lice), Daniel Krell (Marly’s Ghost), Aubree Liscotti (Tiny Tim), Saige Smith (Ghost of Christmas Past), Saige Smith (Ghost of Christmas Past), Aria Meinert (Melinda), and Leah Piccolino) Belinda), with Allison Dorsey, Kylie Edwards, Ted Guzman, Tim Hartman, Alex Manalo, J. Alex Noble, Brady D. Patsy, Benjamin Kent Pimental, Alexander Podolinski, Jason Shavers, Andrea Weinzierl, James Hopkins Coogan, Ramirra Jackson, and Emmett Kent.
Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and a host of colorful characters for A Musical Christmas Carol. With dazzling special effects, holiday charm, and ticket prices even Scrooge would approve of, this Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way for the whole family to celebrate the season.
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The Avett Brothers’ Swept Away, directed by Michael Mayer,will close Dec. 15 at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre, after 20 previews and 32 regular performances.
John Gallagher Jr. (Mate), Stark Sands (Big Brother), Adrian Blake Enscoe (Little Brother), and Wayne Duvall (Captin), with Hunter Brown, Matt DeAngelis, Cameron Johnson, Brandon Kalm, Michael J. Mainwaring, Orville Mendoza, Tyrone L. Robinson, John Sygar,Josh Breckenridge, Rico LeBron, John Michael Finley, Chase Peacock, Robert Pendilla, and David Rowen
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Laguna Playhouse will present 2 holiday shows:
Sister’s Christmas Catechism (Dec. 10 & 17 (both at 7:30 PM). Details here.
Listen to the Seventies (Dec. 31 at PM), featuring Molly Bergman & Jason Feddy Details here.