Spirits of Christmas at PCPA's 'A Christmas Carol'

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• ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ brings festive song and dance to the Clark Center

  ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ brings festive song and dance to the Clark Center

  ‘Jingle Bell Rock — A Raucous Holiday Revue” is described as high-energy, fast-moving and fun by three enthusiastic members of the company. Andy Ferrera, producer and director of the show, and performers Alli Navarro and Jeff Payton talked about their experiences during a telephone interview.

  “As ‘Saturday Night Live’ is a little bit of music with a lot of comedy, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ is a lot of music with a little bit of comedy,” Ferrara said.

  A live band accompanies three men and three women singers and dancers, and Frank Macial, an improv actor, facilitates audience interaction in a program that includes an array of more than 30 holiday songs from carols to contemporary tunes. The show also includes a two-minute send-up of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and an audience-participation version of “A Christmas Carol.” The interaction is an important part of the program, Ferrara said.

• What makes a holiday movie?

  What makes a holiday movie?

  If you’ve ever wanted to write a screenplay but couldn’t decide on a plot, you might consider penning a Christmas movie.

  After all, the plots of holiday films are usually pretty formulaic. In fact, all you need to do is include some of these 12 key story elements, add a little snow and — “Merry Christmas!” — you’ve got yourself a yuletide blockbuster.

  An anti-commercialism message

• 'Forbidden Broadway' pokes affectionate fun at hit musicals

  'Forbidden Broadway' pokes affectionate fun at hit musicals

  'Forbidden Broadway' has been spoofing musical theater greats — shows, songs and stars — for three decades, changing with the times and the shows on Broadway stages.

  The performers, two men and two women, change as well, as “Forbidden Broadway” perennially tours the country and the world. In telephone conversations from New York, three of the performers and the musical director who are bringing the revue to the Clark Center described the comic fun for audiences and for themselves.

  The satirical pieces are short, fast-paced, and funny. Performer Gina Kreiezmar describes it as “eye candy” because of the costumes and facial expressions, and said she loves singing the clever lyrics.

• Letters to the Editor 12/16

  Letters to the Editor 12/16

  In name of ‘no taxes’

  California budget shortfalls this fiscal year are on target to trigger additional deep cuts to state colleges and social services. CSU universities have traditionally responded to funding cuts with increases in yearly tuition and fees — they have approximately tripled the past 10 years.

  Funding cuts to social services such as mental health, however, have no offset, and so an already heavy burden on those suffering from mental disorders and their caregivers will increase once again. Our legislators, instead of providing for relatively “low-cost” preventive treatment today, would inadvertently sentence many mentally ill to a “high-cost” prison term in the future. This makes no sense, economically or morally.

• 'A Christmas Story' at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre

  'A Christmas Story' at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre

  Christmas is all about traditions. As Dec. 25 nears, many of us will decorate trees, rattle sleigh bells and assemble with families, devouring ham and exchanging sweaters, just as our ancestors did before us.

  But for the past quarter of a century, another yuletide tradition has emerged: The annual viewing of “A Christmas Story.”

  “I think for this generation— and maybe ours too — it’s kind of replaced ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ ” said Mike Mesker, a San Luis Obispo resident who appears in the stage version of “A Christmas Story” at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre.