“Christmas at the Biltmore”

Get into the holiday spirit byseeing “Christmas at the Biltmore”

The holiday season brings a flurry of theatrical productions that remind us of the joy of sharing and caring with those we love and those who are less fortunate than ourselves. There are many shows that we tend to re-visit year after year because they just seem to kick off our holiday spirit and raise the charity and gift-giving bar another notch.

There have been many times at this time of the year that I'm just not in the Christmas spirit until I have watched another performance of “A Christmas Carol.” Get into the Christmas spirit with Contra Costa Christian Theatre and the Kinsella Theatre Group's production of “Christmas at the Biltmore,” a new, inspirational and delightfully well written Christmas story presented at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church throughout this weekend. I believe Steve Kinsella actually wrote the play a couple of years ago, but it has been evolving and growing and suddenly, all at one time, it is now being produced by three different theaters at the same time.

“Christmas at the Biltmore” is a heartwarming story that evolves around the people who come to the well-known and historic Biltmore Hotel in upstate New England to spend the holiday in a beautiful wooded resort area and to enjoy the annual locally-legendary Christmas caroling party at the nearby lake. Adding to the excitement, along with the bonfires and ice-skating and a joyful Christmas party atmosphere, this year's party is going to be broadcast over the local radio station so that families throughout the area can enjoy the festivities, even if they cannot get out to the Biltmore.

While the story is about the caring people who work at the hotel as well as their guests, it is primarily about their hopes, their relationships and their dreams. The story encompasses all the caring people who work at the hotel as well as their guests, and yet, more importantly, it focuses this Christmas on two couples, their daughters and one negative single guest who has neglected his own family in pursuit of personal wealth.

In a way, this story is like another “Christmas Carol” in that there is a crotchety miser and a hardworking and financially handicapped family. Further, there is a distraught family, crippled by a devastating event in their lives that subsequently has caused them to lose sight of the meaning and warmth of Christmas spirit. And yes, there is even a mysterious angel who tries to set the world right.

The cast is a huge group of 35 actors ranging from neophyte to near professional. The quality of the production is extremely high and the cast is highly motivated to deliver an outstanding production. While there are far too many actors who deserver kudos, I would like to specifically point out several key characters and the actors who played their roles exceptionally well.

Helen Dixon plays Louise, the hotel manager. Tim Biglow plays the hotel's bell captain, Joseph. Bill Dietz plays Hollis Vickery, the negative businessman and entrepreneur who professes to need no one or nothing other than his wealth. Dick Kellogg plays the mysterious handyman, Mike. Shawn Bonnington plays the quiet poet Walt, and Debbie Neisinger plays Walt's secret love, Nance.

The real star of the show is a delightful sixth-grader from Diablo View Middle School, Kristina Schoell, who plays the heart-mending Miss Julia. There are a lot of really talented and delightful actors in this cast who are members of 31 different churches in this area, and who make this a truly enjoyable evening, one that will truly put you in a joyful and upbeat mood at the start of your Christmas holiday.

The warmth and wealth of family relations are especially important at this time of the year. I strongly recommend that you get the season off to the right start by first calling 939-3200 or by going to the CCCT Web site at www.ccchristiantheatre.org to reserve tickets for “Christmas at the Biltmore.” Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church is located at 1801 Lacassie Avenue in Walnut Creek.

The remaining show times are this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m., closing on Dec. 15. Tickets are a reasonable $20, or $18 for seniors, and youth under 18, only $15 each.

“This Wonderful Life” in San Jose

One actor plays dozens of characters in rapid succession in “This Wonderful Life” in San Jose. Dan Hiatt, a longtime Bay Area actor, presents a tour de force of acting. The play takes place in the fictional community of Bedford Falls over a 30-to-40-year period ranging from George Bailey's childhood to a time shortly after World War II.

I would think that just about everybody is familiar with the 1946 movie, “It's a Wonderful Life,” from whence this show was created and it would certainly help if you had seen the movie before you see this production.

Hiatt is a nationally acclaimed actor who must be familiar to local audiences, as he has performed in numerous productions at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and San Jose Repertory Theatre. He superbly plays all 35 characters and encapsulates the entire movie in a very captivating, humorous and delightful evening of entertainment.

Hiatt is absolutely amazing as he captures the character, mannerisms and even in many respects the voices of the many actors and characters ranging from Jimmy Stewart (as George Bailey), to Lionel Barrymore (as Mr. Potter), to Henry Travers (as Clarence Oddbody, Angel Second Class), to Thomas Mitchell (as Uncle Billy), and even Donna Reed (as George's wife Mary). Hiatt even narrates the story, delivering an overall superlative experience.

If you love the movie, and I certainly do, then you would be hard pressed not to enjoy this very clever and professionally executed “abridged” version of the show.

“This Wonderful Life” continues through Dec. 23. Ticket prices range between $37 to $59 dollars. Call the box office at (408) 367-7255 or visit the Web site at www.boxoffice@SJRep.com for information.

The theater is located at 101 Paseo de San Antonio in San Jose between south 2nd and 3rd streets. There is free public parking available after 6 p.m. each day in a multistoried garage (at the corner of East San Carlos Avenue, between south 2nd and 3rd streets) adjacent the theatre. Drive south on highway 680 (which becomes hwy 280) to the 7th street off ramp, in San Jose, were you will exit and drive the short distance to the theater, near the parking garage at East San Carlos and 3rd streets.

December Special Events sponsored by the Recreation Department

The following are the December Special Events sponsored by the Rossmoor Recreation Department. For more information on any of these events during the month, check the Special Events listing on the calendar page each week, look for the article in the Arts and Leisure section of the News, or call the Recreation Department at 988-7732. Events are free unless otherwise noted. This information is posted throughout the month of December on the Rossmoor News Web site at www.rossmoornews.com.

Bonnie Weiss to discuss the history of comic song

Popular presenter Bonnie Weiss will return to Peacock Hall at Gateway on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 1:30 p.m. to present the first program in her new series “Make 'Em Laugh: Great Comic Songs From the Stage and Screen.”

“Christmas at the Biltmore”

Get into the holiday spirit byseeing “Christmas at the Biltmore”

Diablo Symphony Children's Chorus presents music of the holiday season

Joined by dozens of youthful voices of the Contra Costa Children's Chorus, the Diab1o Symphony will perform traditional and contemporary holiday music in two concerts this month.

Foreign Film Club shows “Chusingura” with clear subtitles

“Chusingura,” the Japanese epic film of revenge and honor, will be shown at Peacock Hall, Monday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. This will be the last of the 2007 Foreign Film Club presentations.

“Hairspray” shows Thursday, Friday

The 2007 musical comedy “Hairspray” will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. and again on Friday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The showings at 10 and 1 will feature language captions.

Heartsong Women's Chorus will present holiday music in the Fireside Room

A special holiday concert, featuring the Heartsong Women's Chorus, will be presented in the Fireside Room at Gateway on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.

Help keep ambience of Redwood Room by following simple guidelines

The Redwood Room at Gateway is a pleasant room that is centrally located and open every day and evening. It is that way in part because there are rules to follow.

Police thriller with star Jackie Chan to be shown by the Chinese-American Association

“New Police Story,” a thrill-packed police drama starring actor Jackie Chan, will be shown on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Peacock Hall at Gateway. This movie is sponsored by the Chinese-American Association of Rossmoor and is free to all Rossmoor residents.

Ralf Parton to fully escort Excursion to East Africa

The Rossmoor Recreation Department announces that Ralf Parton will once again direct a wildlife adventure to East Africa from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1, 2008. After a number of requests from previous safari clients, he has consented to fully escort this next one, his sixth to Kenya.

Rossmoor Community Chorus presents festive music on Sunday

The Rossmoor Community Chorus will present an eclectic medley of festive music on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

Saturday Movie feature is “Horse Feathers”

The 1932 comedy “Horse Feathers,” starring the Marx Brothers, will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The showing at 1 will feature language captions.

Shakespeare Society presents ballet film “Othello”

For the sixth film in the ongoing ballet series, the Rossmoor Shakespeare Society will present the ballet film, “Othello,” on Monday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. on the large screen in Peacock Hall at Gateway.

Sierra Chamber Society to present Haydn, Rachmaninoff and Schubert

The Sierra Chamber Society will hold its second concert of the 2007-08 season on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek.

“The Apartment” shows Sunday

The 1960 classic comedy “The Apartment,” starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, will be shown at Peacock Hall at Gateway on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 4 and 7 p.m. The showing at 4 will feature language captions.

Vocalist Jack Pollard to perform for Fun Day

Vocalist Jack Pollard will perform at Fun Day on Thursday, Dec. 13, at noon in the Sierra Room at Del Valle Clubhouse.

Young musicians group Applause will perform holiday program at Hillside

The exciting young musicians group “Applause” will perform holiday favorites in the Diablo Room at Hillside on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.

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