Sing, Dance and Dig

American Theatre Company (ATC) presents its 34th musical rendition of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Children who were brought to see Christmas Carol are now bringing their children, if not grandchildren, to visit or revisit the family tradition of A Christmas Carol.

"A Christmas Carol has been my Christmas tradition for the past ten years. It's not just a show to me, it's my second family. I am thrilled to play the Ghost of Christmas Past this year. I've had a great time playing with this character and figuring out how I want her to be portrayed. Also, every year I see so many talented young children begin their love of theater. I love seeing them grow as actors. Just like me, most can't get enough. They keep coming back for more! I love it," said Anna Neal who has grown up in the American Theatre Company family.

"I really enjoy being a part of A Christmas Carol because it makes Christmas complete for me and it is really just fun having the opportunity to be in such a great show. I am excited to play Turkey Boy this year and had a phenomenal experience playing Tiny Tim last year. My favorite song is 'So Much to be Thankful For' because even though the Crachit family has no money they are so thankful just to have each other and that is something that many people overlook," said Jet Armstrong, a rising star in the ATC family.

Bah, Humbug!

Musical Director, Jeremy Stevens, describes what brings audiences back year after year and what to expect from this year's performance. "The show has many 'feel good' moments in it, plus it deals with issues that are still very current, even though this story is told from the 17th century. We have a few new cast members and some wonderful new choreography by the incomparable Christina Jenkins. It really looks like a new show. Plus with some new lighting designs and changes in the music, this year's show will enthrall and entertain even more than before."

A Christmas Carol plays in the Williams Theatre of the Tulsa PAC, Dec. 8-23. Curtain time is 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets range from $24 to $30, with half price children's tickets and group discounts available. Tickets may be purchased online at MyTicketOffice.com or by calling 918-596-7111.

Naughty Nick

The unscrupulous deeds of St. Nick, as told by his eight reindeer, will fill the halls of the Charles E. Norman Theater of the Tulsa PAC, as Theatre Pops performs The Eight: Reindeer Monologues.

Dave Garcia, who is playing one of the tell-all reindeers, shares his perspective on presenting this work at such a holly-jolly time of year. "First let me say that I love Christmas. Love It. Christmas Carol, Nutcracker, It's A Wonderful Life -- I'm a total sap. Then there's The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Monologues is not a jab at Christmas as much as a jab at the modern day Santa Claus phenomenon. In an age when Black Friday is as much or more a part of the season as midnight mass, Monologues is at least one person's (two, if you count me) stiff-arm to the excesses of modern life. When joy and giving gives way to consumerism and greed, I don't feel the least bit bad about delivering a badly-needed kick to the butt of the offending institution. Did I say I love Christmas?"

"This is great Adult Entertainment for the Holidays. I'm having a hard time not cracking up just delivering some of the lines. Santa has been a tad bit naughty...or not, and the Reindeer are testifying to that. It's juicy," said Phredi Tate, another reindeer-scorned.

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues run Dec. 8-11 and 15-18. Visit tulsapac.com to purchase tickets online.

Captain Planet

Living Arts of Tulsa presents a new exhibit based on the four elements of earth, water, air and fire that runs through Dec. 22 at the Living Art Space Gallery, 307 E. Brady. Curated by Living Arts Artistic Director, Steve Liggett, the exhibit of new works features Kevin Byrne, Jean Ann Fausser, Susan Hammond and Tulsa Glassblowing Studio Glass Artists Rachel Haynes, David Anderson, Matthew Everitt and Rory McCallister.

"Many philosophies and worldviews have a set of classical elements believed to reflect the simplest essential parts and principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution and fundamental powers of anything are based. From the four areas: earth, water, air and fire, I have taken a few liberties of how I interpret them pertaining to the art and craft of four exceptional artists who have thought of these elements through their touch of the earth's materials and through the processes of the creation of artworks from the concepts that they are fascinated by," Liggett said about the concept behind the exhibit.

Living Art Space Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1-5pm; and Thursday 1-9pm. Call 918-585-1234 for more information.

Light the Lamp

After watching A Christmas Story for days on end via seasonal television marathons, see the classic cautionary tale come to life.

Will Ralphie really shoot his eye out after scoring his dream Christmas present of a 200-Shot, Range-Model Air Rifle? Find out at Tulsa's Little Theatre, 1511 S. Delaware Ave, when Encore! Theatre Arts presents A Christmas Story based on the movie by Jean Shepherd.

Performances are Dec. 9-11 at 7:30pm, with additional matinees on Dec. 10 and 11 at 2:30pm. Tickets range from $8-16 and can be purchased at encoretulsa.com.

Send all comments and feedback regarding Arts Experienced to jratliff@urbantulsa.com