Holiday favorites at Old Town Temecula Theater

TEMECULA – Plan on celebrating the holidays by attending one or more of the festive performances at Old Town Temecula Community Theater. The theater, which just celebrated its ninth anniversary, prides itself on bringing world-class, family-friendly, and affordable performing arts to the area.

Nutcracker Ballet – Nov. 28 to 30

Inland Valley Classical Ballet Theatre will present the Nutcracker Ballet at the theater the weekend of Nov. 28 through 30. The performance on Friday, Nov. 28 is at 7 p.m .; on Saturday, Nov. 29, the ballet will be performed at 2 and 7 p.m .; and on Sunday, Nov. 30, the two shows will be at 1 and 4 p.m.

Enhanced by Tchaikovsky’s rich score, distinctive choreography, and dazzling performance, this extravagant production is ideal for children and those adults who can still be carried away to a magnificent world of beauty.

There are two productions of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet offered at the theater this season – the first by Inland Valley Classical Ballet Theatre and the second (see below) by The Ballet Studio and the Fine Arts Network Theatre Company.

A Christmas Carol – Dec. 4 to 14

Charles Dickens’ classic gets the full Broadway treatment by Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens, and Mike Ockrent. This spectacular musical extravaganza ran for 10 years at Madison Square Garden. A Christmas Carol retains its emotional power and pure joy thanks to the marvelously told story and beautiful score.

Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, the opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways.

Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his future will hold: death or redemption.

Southwest Women’s Chorus – Dec. 6 and 7

Southwest Women’s Chorus 15th annual Christmas In The Air: Our Favorites is the group’s annual Christmas concert. A true family affair, it covers a wide variety of Christmas music, both secular and sacred. This season, they will present a concert of their Christmas favorites from past years – including classic, contemporary, Celtic, and a great old-fashioned setting of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

The Nutcracker – Dec. 18 to 23

Close to Christmas, The Ballet Studio in association with Fine Arts Network Theatre Company will bring its version of the most-performed ballet in the world.

Enjoy the enchanting tale of a girl’s first love, a magician, a Rat King, a nutcracker, and a prince. The perfect holiday outing for the whole family.

Campanella Guitar Quartet – Dec. 14 and 21

Old Town Temecula Community Theater’s holiday tradition continues as they dress The Merc in seasonal finery and welcome back the Campanella Guitar Quartet, a favorite of Merc audiences. The program will feature the quartet’s very special arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite along with other music of the holiday season.

For more information on upcoming performances, or for tickets, visit http://www.TemeculaTheater.org or call (866( 653-8696. The theater and The Merc are located at 42051 Main Street in Old Town Temecula.