Arts Alive San Antonio

News Roundup –

If you want to get into the holiday spirit, San Antonio arts organizations are ready to get you there.

Begin by buying tickets for Miss Bennet:Christmas at Pemberley,which opens tonight, Nov. 22, at the Classic Theater of San Antonio. Last year, the entire run sold out and the theater had to add performances which also sold out.

Though written by contemporary playwrights, the story is set in Jane Austen’s time, just two years after the events described in Pride & Prejudice, and it focuses on the neglected and “invisible” Bennet sister Mary. In the new play, she is at the center of the action at the Christmas gathering at her sister’s Elizabeth new home, as she meets and develops a rapport with Lord Arthur de Bourgh, an awkward nerdy type like herself, but like her, educated and intelligent.

Reviewers have heaped praise on the script which sparkles with wit and humor and embraces the elegance of 19^th century England while also speaking effectively to audiences of today. (See feature article on this site.) (Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 1924 Fredericksburg Rd.; Nov.22-Dec.22, Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.; for tickets call 210-589-8450 or go to

A very different show is opening at the Public Theater of San Antonio though it, too, is based on something already familiar, namely the 2003 movie Elf. The stage version is called Elf The Musical and it pretty much follows the story of Buddy, who grew up believing he is an elf, as he discovers that he’s really a human and embarks on a journey to find his real father on Earth. The show has a huge cast headed by James R. Welch who plays Buddy. (Nov. 22 – Dec. 22; Russell Hill Rogers Auditorium, San Pedro Playhouse, 800 West Ashby Place, Friday-Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2 p.m.; for tickets call box office at 210-733-7258 or go to www.thepublicsa.org

The holiday season is, of course, Nutcrackerseason, too, for the vast majority of Americans and almost all professional and pre-professional ballet companies in the land. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio decided to inaugurate its new version of the ballet a little early this year, with four performances at the Lila Cockrell Theater this weekend. Artistic director Vanessa Bessler has set the classic tale in San Antonio, in the home of the Gonzalez family, where folks are busy setting up for their Christmas party while taking selfies and making tamales. Some 200 kids are in the cast, including 12 children with special needs. Though young, many of the CBSA’s members are remarkably accomplished dancers. (Nov. 22 at 7p.m., Nov. 23 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Lila Cockrell Theater, 200 E. Market St.; tickets available at the box office or through Ticketmaster) (See feature story on this site)

Ballet San Antonio will present its professional production starting the day after Thanksgiving but more about that in next week’s News Roundup.

At the always very active Magik Theater, they plan to celebrate the season not with one but with three new productions but only one is currently playing: Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol (through Dec. 19). It’s another new sequel to an old story, written by the funny guy Ken Ludwig and his son Jack. The story is based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. (Magik Theater, 420 S. Alamo St.; tickets at the Magik’s box office or call 210-227-2751 or go to MagikTHeatre.org)

The cultural traditions of Native Americans are spotligthted this weekend at the Yanaguana Indian Arts Market and Community Days held at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. The free family event features a collective of American Indian artists showing and selling their art, performing traditional dances, demonstrating various crafts and telling stories. It all starts with a special blessing, followed by a ceremonial drum circle that everyone can join. As a bonus, you can also visit the museum’s permanent collection. (Nov. 23, 10 am-5 pm; Nov.24, 10 am – 3 pm; 210 W.Market St.; www.BriscoeMuseum.com)

And here’s something non-Christmas-y but worth of attention. A new gallery, Space C7 has opened south of downtown and is presenting a remarkable inaugural exhibition through the end of the month. Called Countdown City, the show features an outstanding group of artists, including Cesar Martinez, Gary Sweeney, Ken Little, Chris Sauter, Andy Benavides, Cruz Ortiz, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Hiromi Stringer, Sarah Castillo and Mira Hnatyshun Hudson. Wow, all in one place! Definitely worth a visit.

Outside, two site-specific fiber-optic artworks are installed: Wavering Light by Justin Parr and Marfa Lights by Joan Frederick. Tonight, two poets, Laura Van Prooyen and Vincent Cooper, will enliven the gallery space with their poetry. (2450 Roosevelt Ave., open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; tonight open 6-9 p.m.)