Holiday Entertainment Brings The Season To Life

Locals know that Annapolis Shakespeare Company can always be counted on to present top-notch entertainment any time of year — even during an especially stressful holiday season.

This year is no exception. The company will bring Christmas magic to life with its Helen Hayes Award recommended original adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” as well as a new musical revue, “Holiday Swing,” with the Unified Jazz Ensemble.

Fans of “A Christmas Carol” will love the heartwarming story retold in a fresh way, brought to life by enthusiastic and gifted performers.

“We are very excited to be performing our fourth season of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ It’s extremely true to Dickens’ original tale, but with singing and dancing,” said Sally Boyett, founding artistic director for the company. “It’s very uplifting.”

“Holiday Swing” also promises to rev up your yuletide spirit with swinging holiday tunes perfect for all music lovers.

Live shows will resume on November 28 and run through December 27, but the company will also offer livestream shows this year for both “A Christmas Carol” and “Holiday Swing.”

“We use a professional movie crew and three cameras for our livestream,” said Boyett.

Matinee and evening performances are available. Discounts are offered for seniors, students and Flexpass holders. For more information, visit www.annapolisshakespeare.org.

Everyone knows the holidays can be murder — especially when you choose to celebrate them with Do or Die Mysteries! This fun, engaging show guarantees a great time and a delicious dinner to wrap up your Christmas holiday in style.

“The Christmas show always gets a ton of laughs, and that’s something we definitely need these days,” said Do or Die Mysteries founder C.J. Crowe.

“Slay Ride” is an entertaining show full of hilarious holiday hijinks that answer the question, “What happens at the North Pole after Christmas?” The answer includes an “elfpreciation” party, where unrest among the elves is causing some serious trouble. Actors perform onstage and visit tables while wearing clear masks and ensuring proper social distancing standards.

The show follows dinner, which includes a salad, entrée (options include crab cake, jumbo fried shrimp, lasagna, gyro, chicken Couvlaki platter, or whiskey steak kabobs; all entrees are served with a generous side dish), and a chef’s choice of dessert.

For $60.50, guests get dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, gratuity and the opportunity to watch the show (cocktails are available for purchase).

Crowe said that in addition to adhering carefully to state and local food-handling and hygiene guidelines, the venue will practice social distancing by capping attendance at 40 patrons (the space seats 125). No more than six customers may share a table, although larger groups can request to sit at tables next to one another. Crowe also said that she has hired backup actors in case a cast member needs to call out; she doesn’t want anyone to feel pressured to come in if they’re feeling sick.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.doordiemystery.com.

Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis steadily provides customers with live, high-quality entertainment in a fun atmosphere. The Christmas shows this year are sure to boost holiday spirit and shake off any “bah, humbugs!” still lingering at the beginning of December.

“A Classic Case Christmas Show” on December 5 promises to ring in the festivities with a set of familiar holiday favorites presented in an upbeat and fun style. Several talented musicians will delight audiences with their engaging performance. Tickets are $20 and are available for customers 21 and over.

Fans of rock ‘n’ roll won’t want to miss the “Ho Ho Hoey” Gary Hoey Christmas show on December 9. Hoey, a guitarist who has released 21 albums and has worked with legends including Joe Perry, Roger Daltrey, Joe Satriani and KISS drummer Peter Kriss, will perform an exciting Christmas show at Ram’s Head On Stage in Annapolis. Attendees are sure to enjoy rocking out to Hoey’s upbeat versions of familiar Christmas classics from his “must have” holiday album. Tickets cost $30 per person and are available to customers over 21 years old. Doors open at 6:30pm for the 7:30pm show.

Even the Grinch couldn’t resist the charm of “Home for the Holidays,” an “uplifting and joyous celebration of the holiday season” at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland. Beloved, longtime Toby’s performers will enchant audiences with humorous, heartwarming dialogue and stunning musical numbers. The theater itself will be decked-out for the holidays with beautiful decorations that complement the special effects often used in Toby’s shows.

The traditional buffet served at this venue will be replaced by a plated dinner to adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols. Guests may choose between chicken pecorino, prime rib of beef au jus, roast salmon with honey citrus glaze, or ginger vegetable stir fry. Each entrée comes with a delicious side, and diners may choose cheesecake or chocolate cake for dessert. There are several kid-friendly options on the menu as well, and diners who prefer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or non-dairy options will have plenty to choose from.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Toby’s will take customers’ temperatures upon arrival. They will also carefully monitor employee and cast member health, practice social distancing throughout the venue, and require face masks unless customers are eating or drinking.

“Ventilation/air handlers throughout the entire facility have been cleaned and outfitted with new ultraviolet germicidal lighting to help target any airborne viruses,” according to the Toby’s management team. “We have truly missed our Toby’s family and friends. Although we have had to make these temporary changes, you will still experience the same exceptional dinner and performance.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 410-730-8311.