Holiday show open on New Orleans-area stages, and new opera gets ‘cheesy’ at SoFab museum

Holiday fun explodes onto the stages of the Crescent City and surrounding areas with holly jolly times and some magical moments.

“Just hear those sleigh bells …”

‘Wonderful’ times at Rivertown

The idea of setting the story of the holiday classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” in New Orleans is yuletide brilliance.

And leave it to local auteur and entertainment personality Ricky Graham to put pen to paper and come up with “It’s A Wonderful Life, Y’all.” The show opens Friday at Rivertown Theaters in Kenner.

The original movie, based on a short story, is a spin on the “Christmas Carol” genre. George Bailey, a man who feels trapped in his life, ponders suicide. But an angel-in-training shows him what life would be like if he were not there. Heartwarming, harrowing and holiday hefty, the movie has become an essential part of tradition for many.

And now, Graham takes aim with his unique talents (“And the Ball and All” and “Scrooge in Rouge”) and spices the story with a hearty serving of Crescent City flavor.

Tickets start at $41. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Sundays plus 6 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 22; Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, 325 Minor St., Kenner. Visit rivertowntheaters.com.

Nefarious nativity-napping

Who took Baby Jesus from the Second Trinity Victory Church’s manger scene? Was it the First Salvation villains?

Head over to Playmakers Theater to find out exactly what happens when the Covington company goes for holiday hilarity with “The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular” opening Friday.

Directed by Arden Dufilho, the show, described as a “Steel Magnolias” and “Maltese Falcon” mashup, features Elizabeth Humbert, Cara Bovet, Stephanie Sayles, Esther Trosclair and Julie Bowling.

The 1970s-set show, by Bo Wilson, focuses on a women’s church group preparing for their annual spectacular but getting sidetracked by the missing infant and a bit of whodunnit mixed in with the skits and carols.

The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 15 at 19106 Playmakers Road in Covington. Visit playmakersinc.com.

A ‘Carol’ in Slidell

Ronald Brister is “Scrooge” in this musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic as Slidell Little Theatre opens the holiday show Friday.

The stage show was written by Leslie Bricusse, who penned the Oscar-nominated music for the 1970 film version of the show starring Albert Finney. Most of the songs from the movie have been carried over.

The 1990s stage show debuted in Birmingham, England, and follows the Dickensian tale of the miser, a dead partner, three ghosts and a turn of the conscience.

Joining Brister in the cast are Lucas Bissett, Jason Smith, Olivia Loomis, Abby Merkle, Benny W. Rhodes III, Jack Tomasich, Adeline Devereux, Lukas Jepson, Rick Malasovich, Sarah Milasovich, Wyatt Bissett, Kylie Babin, London Hauck, Aleena Bowman, Genevieve DeLaney, Brinlee Golemon, Laney Lauga, Ella Wallace, Edward McGeehan, Zoey Bendic, Heather Orgeron, Logan Chitwood, Ginny Davis, Brayden Heritage, Danny Jepson, Finnegan Smith, Kimberly Nichols, Jayden Johnson, Rey Leon, Reese Benedic, James Devereux, Maria Chin, Laura Chin, Whitney Schultz, Amelia Chin, Ashlynn Landry and Madison Johnson.

Lee Dukes is director. The show runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22 at 2024 Nellie Drive. Tickets start at $25. slidelllittletheatre.org.

A pasta premier

An opera about mac and cheese? Why not? New Orleans is one of the globe’s culinary hot spots and an opera pioneer in the early days of European colonization.

“The Cook-Off,” a comic opera in English about the origins of the perennial favorite side dish, will see its Crescent City premiere Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, the earlier show includes a VIP brunch.

With music by Shawn Okpebholo and text by Mark Campbell, three contestants in a TV food show vie for honors in crafting the culinary keepsake.

The show, in cooperation with the New Orleans Opera Association, comes during the celebration of the food museum’s 20th anniversary and the retirement of founder Liz Williams. Members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will provide the accompaniment.

The museum is located at 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans. Visit neworleansopera.org.

Opening this week Dec. 5-11

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: Opening 7:30 p.m. Thursday and runs Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 15 at Marquette Theatre at Loyola University, Marquette Hall, 6363 St. Charles Ave. A cast of four plays all the characters in Patrick Barlow’s adaptation except one — Michael Newcomer breathes life into the hollowed husk of Scrooge as he moves through a Dickensian version of “This is Your Life.” Tickets start at $10. crescentcitystage.com.

In production

“ELF”:  7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. An eye-popping colorful extravaganza, the musical is frothy fun as Buddy (a standard-size fellow raised by elves, acclimates to the real world, meets his father and half-brother (who doesn’t believe in Santa) and becomes an infectious charmer who spreads cheer. Tickets start at $40. saengernola.com.