Weekly Arts and Entertainment Highlights (Dec 08, 2011)

Christmas concerts and adaptations of holiday movies fill the next week with the season’s spirit.

“Dear Santa…The OK City Chorus and Friends Celebrate Christmas” takes place Sunday, December 11th beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Del City High School. The “friends” of the chorus are Edgar Cruz, a cappella quartets City SoundWave and Side by Side, and the Del Aires girls’ choir from Del City High. The performance includes pieces from Cruz CD’s, new songs from the OK City Chorus repertoire, and some traditional Christmas songs such as “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, “Mary Had a Baby”, and “Sing We Noel.” The finale of the show combines all performers for a rendition of “Go Tell It on The Mountain.”

The Chickasha Community Theatre performs a stage adaptation of “A Christmas Story” December 8th through the 11th. Shows begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at the historic Washita Theater in Chickasha. Adapted from the 1983 comedy, the story of Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Red Ryder BB gun he desperately desires has become a Christmas tradition.

Another stage adaptation of a beloved holiday movie happens December 8th through the 11th. The First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City performs “It’s A Wonderful Life – The Musical” at 7:00 p.m. nightly. Composer Bruce Greer is also producing this limited run along with his wife Kim Greer. Bruce Greer wrote the show in 1998 along with lyricist Keith Ferguson, who returns to play the role of Mr. Potter. All shows will have live accompaniment by an orchestra directed by Greer.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Oklahoma City hosts “Glory to the Newborn King,” a Nativity scene display and cantata performance December 9th through the 11th. More than 600 Nativity scenes from 30 countries are displayed daily from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Christmas Cantata performances begin at 7:00 p.m. nightly. Other activities during the display include a children’s room with interactive nativities, a Wise Men Star Search, and a live nativity. An additional cantata performance takes place December 18th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Edmond.

There are many other Christmas and Holiday events around the metro through the next week. Here are just a few:

Winter on Western takes place December 8th combining holiday fun, shopping, food, and charity.

Sonder Music, Dance, and Art in Norman holds the opening of the photography exhibit “Snowmen Are People Too: Norman's Whimsical Transient Winter Population.”

The OG+E Garden Lights at the Myriad Botanical Gardens offers complimentary admission to the Crystal Bridge Sundays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. through Christmas.

And the Oklahoma Handbell Ensemble performs “The Colors of Christmas” on December 10th in Choctaw.

For more events and holiday ideas, visit the calendar page of our website.