An award-winning theater company will bring two holiday-themed shows to Memorial Hall on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17. The company, Weathervane Theatre, based in Whitefield, NH, will stage its own productions – “Who’s Holiday!” and “Winter Wonderettes.”
“We want to expand the brand,” said artistic director Ethan Paulini. “We’re doing some Christmas shows that have a little bit for everyone.”
While the company attracts an audience of summer visitors and locals at its home in the White Mountains, Paulini has roots in Massachusetts. His father lives in Plymouth, a friend works for the town, and the director himself has seen live shows at Memorial Hall.
“We were looking for a venue for this season,” he said. “A lot of our patrons are tourists from the Boston area.”
First up on Saturday 7 p.m. is “Winter Wonderettes,” which the theater company says is a “family-friendly jukebox musical” written by Roger Bean. “A rockin’ holiday party packed with your favorite ’60s versions of holiday classics” such as “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Winter Wonderland,” the show is described by Weathervane as a holiday treat appropriate for all ages.
This show will be performed a second time on Sunday, at 2 p.m.
Weathervane’s second production – curtain up at 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening – “Who’s Holiday!” is an “adults-only” comedy. It’s a one-character play centered on Cindy Lou Who, the sweet young thing from Dr. Seuss’s enormously popular “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Who – so it goes – “is now all grown up and lives in a trailer park,” Paulini said.
Written by Matthew Lombardo, the show premiered five years ago in New York. Critics called it both ‘wildly funny” and a “heartfelt comedy.” It takes place at a party in which Who recalls the Christmas Eve when she met the Grinch and “the twisted turn of events her life has now taken,” the company said.
The star of this one-actor show is Marisa Kirby. Her stagecredits include six seasons at the Weathervane, featuring roles ranging from Miss Adelaide (“Guys and Dolls”) to Alice Murphy (“Bright Star”), a role for which she received a New Hampshire Theatre Award nomination.
“As a Massachusetts native,” Paulini said of Weathervane’s arrival in Plymouth, “this is a personal homecoming.” He also called it “an honor to spend the holidays with new audiences.”
For tickets, go to weathervanenh.org or memorialhall.com.
Also happening this week
Plymouth artist Susan Ste. Marie will exhibit her “ZenDoodle Art,” which she creates using fine markers on watercolor paper, sometimes adding watercolor, as well as other mixed media effects. The paintings can be seen at Something for Your Dust, at 16 Court St. The artist has also exhibited her work at the Plymouth Center for the Arts and offers workshops for teens and adults in ZenDoodle Art. “It’s like yoga for your brain!” she said. She also offers handmade journals and cards for sale.
“Something For Your Dust is a unique shop on Court Street that sells up-cycled vintage, antiques, and art,” Ste. Marie said. She praised the store’s owner Dan Contrino, and said that foot traffic on Main Street has made it a successful venue for selling art.
Ste. Marie retired from her work as a special needs paraprofessional, but still works as a substitute teacher for the Plymouth schools. She “discovered” ZenDoodle Art, “as a way to help kids as well as adults relieve stress and anxiety.”
Monday, Dec. 11
The Artisan Pig, 66 Court St., is presenting a night of “Decorating Gingerbread Houses, Christmas Movies, Good Food, and Sweet Treats.” Tickets cost $40 and include a gingerbread house to decorate, frosting, and candy. A limited food menu and a full bar will also be available. For more information visit artisanpig.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 12
The Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce holds its December holiday “Ugly Sweater Party – Networking Luncheon!” at Proof 22, on 22 Main St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. The chamber invites participants to “wear either your favorite, funniest or ugliest holiday sweater!” Non-members may attend. You can register here.
Plymouth G Pub, 101 Carver Road, presents “Tuesdays in the Taproom” with comedian Mike Murray & Friends, starting at 7 p.m. The laughs are free.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
The Church of the Pilgrimage will offer a Service of Peace and Comfort beginning at 7 p.m. Sometimes called “Blue Christmas” or a “Service of the Longest Night,” this is a brief service with readings, music and the lighting of candles. The service acknowledge that the holiday season may be especially difficult for those who have suffered losses and experience a lack of desire to celebrate with others. The church is located at 8 Town Square. The phone number is 508-746-3026; or visit the website.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums offers holiday-themed activities including a children’s lantern-making session and a story hour, from 4 to 5 p.m. today. For more information visit plimoth.org.
Wednesday evening La Vie Luna Apothecary, 65 Main St., hosts a Taylor Swift-inspired candle-making class (birthday version) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Participants pour their own 12 oz. non-toxic candle inspired by their favorite Taylor Swift era. Tickets are $65, available here on Eventbrite.
Thursday, Dec 14
Learn how the Pilgrims would have treated the holiday season at a lunchtime program from noon to 1 p.m. at Pilgrim Patuxet Museums. Malka Benjamin, the museum’s director of colonial interpretation and training, will explore the background of Christmas in old England and explain why reformed Christians didn’t celebrate the day as a holiday. For tickets visit eventbrite.com.
The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee of Plymouth (SEPAC) has scheduled a dyslexia awareness presentation featuring Joanna Roderiques, a certified dyslexia interventionist and Orton-Gillingham tutor. The event will be held at the Plymouth Public Library from 5 to 6 p.m. and is free. More information about SEPAC is here.
The Spire Center hosts Say Darling in its 70-seat lounge called “the lobby” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit spirecenter.org to reserve.
Friday, Dec. 15
The popular and engaging Celtic music ensemble Cherish the Ladies perform tonight at the Spire Center, 25½ Court St. from 8 to 10 p.m. The group has shared Irish musical traditions with worldwide audiences for more than 30 years and also performs classic carols such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” in arrangements that highlight Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, and spectacular step dancing. Cherish the Ladies has released three holiday albums, including “Christmas in Ireland.” For tickets visit spirecenter.org.
Plymouth Public Library offers “Books with Balance,” a family yoga class designed around a children’s yoga story, held the library’s Fehlow meeting room from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The class is intended for children age 3 and up includes an interactive “read aloud’ with poses and games to engage children and adults of all ages. Participants are encouraged to bring a favorite stuffed animal. Yoga mats are available to borrow or you can bring your own.
Also, Dec. 15 is the last day for poets to nominate themselves, or for others to nominate a poet, to become the next Plymouth Poet Laureate. The new laureate’s term will begin in April 2024. America’s Hometown Laureates, Inc., a nonprofit organization, requests applicants to submit a 1-page “Poet’s Statement,” describing your vision for the responsibilities of the Poet Laureate position; a resume or curriculum vitae; and three published original works. Applications can be submitted online (in PDF form) to Hometownlaureates@gmail.com. Paper submissions can be mailed or dropped off at the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, 100 Armstrong Rd., Suite 204, Plymouth, MA 02360. For more information, contact Jennifer Harris at hometownlaureates@gmail.com.
Saturday, Dec. 16
3V Restaurant, located at 10 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 253, presents a live performance by Munk Duane. A Boston-based recording artist, producer and film composer, and a New England Music award winner, his style is deeply rooted in late 60s and early 70s Soul and Pop. He performs from 6 to 9 p.m. For more info visit threevrestaurant.com.
The Spire Center hosts Lunasa: Christmas from Ireland with Dave Curley, the show starting at 8 p.m. Ticket are $36-$40. Visit spirecenter.org.
Sunday, Dec. 17
Actor Neil McGarry performs his award-winning, one-actor rendition of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Spire Center, 25½ Court St. this afternoon, beginning at 3 p.m. Using a few props on a bare stage, McGarry plays all the characters in the morality tale of the meaning of Christmas. For tickets visit spirecenter.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Three V Restaurant, located at 10 Cordage Park Circle, hosts “Musical Bingo!” with Good Thomas from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Bingo cards will be single use. For more information, call the restaurant’s Derek Nickerson at 508-927-4046.
Thursday, Dec 21
Plimoth Patuxet Museums hosts a lunchtime lecture on “Christmas in Plymouth Colony” from 12 to 1 p.m. Visit plimoth.org.
The Spire Center’s TD Bank Lobby series – the center’s lobby is transformed into a 70-seat “lounge” – showcases local and regional musicians in a relaxed setting, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Diesel and Lulu’s, a women’s clothing store at 23 Sandwich St., presents a jewelry “trunk show” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Manomet Origami Club meets at the Manomet branch library, 12 Strand Ave., from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Dec. 17
Plimoth Cinema, located at137 Warren Ave., is screening the 1989 Christmas classic, “Prancer,” from 2 to 4:30 p.m., followed by a holiday sing-along led by singers from the Plymouth North High School vocal music program. The festive afternoon will also include hot chocolate and seasonal treats. Refreshments are included in the ticket price. Tickets are $5 and available here.
To submit a listing, contact Robert Knox at rc.knox2@gmail.com.