Get an early start on the holidays with Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet,” running Nov. 16-17 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek; Nov. 3 through Dec. 1 in Carmel; Dec. 5-9 in Mountain View and Dec. 13-24 in San Francisco. Celebrating its silver anniversary, Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s Christmas gift to the community features classical ballet in Act I and red-hot contemporary numbers in Act II.
Many original pieces from founder Michael Smuin, including his nod to Hanukkah with “Licht bensh’n,” his iconic “Santa Baby” featuring the world’s longest feather boa and a dashing cameo by Elvis in the lively “Blue Christmas.” The production also includes two festive world premieres. Regardless of your favorite dancing style, you’ll find it in this production as ballet, tap, jazz, sock-hop and swing share the stage. For tickets to the Walnut Creek performances, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.smuinballet.org, where you can also access the other venues.
San Francisco Playhouse is also getting into the magic of the holiday spirit with a production of “Mary Poppins” directed by Susi Damilano. The “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” musical runs Nov. 14 through Jan. 12 on the second floor of the Kensington Park Hotel at 450 Post St. in San Francisco.
“It’s a cherished memory of mine —as a 5-year-old huddled with my cousins, captivated in front of the television watching the Disney film version,” recalls Damilano. For tickets, call 415-677-9596 or go to www.sfplayhouse.org.
What could be better than having an ice cream named after you? As a lover of all things sweet, this is on top of my list. And, that’s exactly what has happened to celebrate Cirque Du Soleil’s upcoming production of “Volta.” Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream created the limited-edition flavor featuring an Earl Grey ice cream base with a jolt of burnt lemon folded in. The “Volta”-inspired ice cream is now available at 2790 Harrison St. and 1 Ferry Building, both in San Francisco, and at 2335 Broadway in Oakland.
The flavor seems to go well with the character of Cirque Du Soleil’s latest extravaganza. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, “Volta” is a story of transformation and not-to-be-forgotten amazing acrobatics! The big top event runs Nov. 15 through Feb. 3 at AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, before moving to San Jose and running Feb. 13 through March 10. For tickets, go to www.cirquedusoleil.com/volta.
El Cerrito: Most people don’t think of assisted living facilities as a great setting for a comedy, but those people haven’t seen David Lindsay-Abaire’s hilarious play, “Ripcord.”
Running Nov. 16 through Dec. 9 at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 951 Pomona Ave., this sparkling new comedy tells of Abby, a resident at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility who has done a great job running off every roommate the facility attempts to place in her shared room — until the bubbly, enthusiastic Marilyn arrives. Needless to say, the two very different roommates don’t get off to a great start. Soon a high-stakes bet takes place that escalates out of control into a war of comic proportions.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright does a masterful job of weaving lots of humor and just the right amount of pathos to make this a compelling look at families and friendship. Daren AC Carollo directs a cast headed by veteran performers Ann Kendrick (Abby) and Sandi V. Weldon (Marilyn). The cast also includes Kim Donovan and DC Scarpelli as Marilyn’s daughter and son-in-law; Peter Budlinger as the health care worker and David Bogdonoff as a mysterious stranger from Abby’s past. For tickets, call 510-524-9012 or go to www.ccct.org.
Martinez/Clayton: You can still catch Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker” presented by Onstage Repertory Theatre at the Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. in Martinez. This comedy that inspired the musical “Hello Dolly” continues through Nov. 18. Kim Doppe directs. For tickets, call 925-325-3770 or go to www.campbelltheater.org.
Clayton Theatre Company is auditioning for one of my favorite shows: “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.” I had the pleasure of doing this comedic thriller a very long time ago at the old Moraga Playhouse under the direction of the wonderful Cliff Beyer, and everyone in the cast had a blast. There are so many twists and turns and funny lines that this show is a pleasure to do or to see.
Auditions take place Nov. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. in Clayton. Five men and five women are needed. No audition appointment is necessary, but be sure to bring your resume and headshot and prepare a two-minute monologue. The show will be performed March 28 through April 13. For more information, go to www.claytontheatrecompany.com.
Hayward: Yipes! Halloween might be over, but the Douglas Morrisson Theatre is getting ready to put a scare into people with its next production, “Dracula.” Running Nov. 15 through Dec. 2, the show features Kyle Goldman as Count Dracula, Geoffrey Colton as Van Helsing, Anya Cherniss as Lucy and Tim Garcia as the insect-eating Renfield. Kendall Tieck directs the scary fun as Van Helsing tries to save Lucy from her mysterious illness. For tickets, call 510-881-6777 or go to www.dmtonline.org.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Search for “Curtain Calls” by Sally Hogarty at eastbaytimes.com to read more of her reviews online.