Scene from Orange County
So what’s your fondest holiday moment? Dinner after a thrilling morning of opening package after package - of things you didn’t want? Or cleaning the kitchen when it looks like Florida after hurricane -or election - season? Or how about packing up all those ornaments, candles and lights for the 50th time? Or trying to return those gifts? No, I’m not an old Scrooge. I’m a Swede and Swedes love Christmas, but it doesn’t really matter which holiday you celebrate, isn’t it the food and people that make it all worthwhile? Ok, there are the decorations. The excuse to shop. Or for us Christmas celebrators, the idea of snow and sleighs that we never see unless you’re prodded by family to leave the sunshine for some bitter cold part of the country. Let’s face it, sometimes you just need some entertainment to get through it all. So here are a few things to do this month.
One of Orange County’s favorite productions is South Coast Repertory’s A Christmas Carol, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Art Koustik is one of the founding members of SCR and is once again playing in Dickens’ tale of redemption, He’s played Mr. Fezziwig for nearly every one of the 25 years (only missing due to a motorcycle accident), but times, they are a-changin’.
“I believe they’re changing some of the casting this year, artistic choices by the director (John-David Keller) and dramaturg Jerry Patch. This time I’ll probably be Joe the Cider Man among other roles, which I’ve also done in the past,” says Koustik.
SCR’s holiday production began in 1980 with the then novel idea of adapting Dickens’ 1843 novella for the stage. Patch wrote the script and Keller directed and both have worked on all 25 productions. Now a holiday tradition for successive generations of Orange County residents, “A Christmas Carol” has become an annual reunion for people on stage, back stage and in the audience. The show has changed drastically over the years because the concept changed.
“First we did it as a fun thing, almost caricatures, very broad comedy. But over the years it’s become a more realistic production,” says Koustik. “As I get older, I like the way it is now. I can’t do all the physical jumping up and down like I used to!”
But he does know all the lines by heart, and only needs a day’s warm-up to jump back in, figuratively speaking. And he’s certainly done his share of jumping up and down, in probably over 150 productions at SCR alone, not counting his other acting work. His first production, he says, was “when we were a truck and bus thing. I understudied one of the characters in Tartuffe at a woman’s club in Costa Mesa in 1965 or 1966.”
At 68, what keeps Koustik going? “It’s been a long haul but a great adventure. As an ex-Marine from Chicago, I never thought I’d be in theater. But I’ve been fortunate to make a living. And I’ve been with same group for 40 years. We were all in college together, we’ve grown up together and have that kind of family feeling.”
Koustic was stationed at El Toro Marine base in 1954 after Korea. “Then I hopped around a bit and returned to OC in 1964 and lived here since. It’s certainly changed since then and I fight with it sometimes because I’m more of a traditionalist. I liked it (OC) better back then. It was simpler. Up by the Marine base there used to be deer where the houses are now.”
At this time of year, the only deer you’re likely to find is lit up on your lawn, and not from too much liquid cheer!
Changes aside, he does think highly of the recent study that said OC women were the healthiest in the country. “I think it’s terrific women are healthier in OC. Gosh, when I go back east you see a lot of men and women not in very good condition. Out here grandmothers are jogging. Not when I was a kid - grandmothers wore cotton stockings up to their knees! Yes, California has its pluses.”
Performances begin Saturday, November 27 and run through Saturday, December 26 at South Coast Repertory. Tickets are $20-$46, (714) 708-5555 or www.scr.org.
And who else could bring back memories of Christmas Past? Why sparkling blue-eyed Andy Williams, of course. He’ll be in concert at the Cerritos Center December 16. Tickets are $40-75.
Or, also at the Cerritos Center, you could catch the “Colors of Christmas” December 18/19. Tickets are $45-77. Or for something different, there’s the New Shangai Circus Dec. 26-30. Tickets are $30-40. For all three events, call (800) 300-4345 or (562) 916-8500, or on the web at ticketoffice@cerritoscenter.com.
Here are some other choices:
Christmas at the Mission (San Juan Capistrano, that is), December 4.
The evening features entertainment, refreshments and a life-sized nativity scene. Admission is free for the evening.
The Christmas Boat Parade, December 15-19.
For the past 96 years, Newport Beach has decked their hulls for the Christmas Boat Parade. This fun outing of more than 150 various vessels decorated from stem to stern, ranks as one of the top 10 holiday happenings in the nation by the New York Times. Call 949-719-6100 or visit www.christmasboatparade.com.
At the Orange County Performing Arts Center, here are some treats. For tickets to all events, call CenterTix at (714) 556-2787.
-Orange County Chanukah Concert, December 5
-Ok, if you haven’t been tuned in and turned on by singer Steve Tyrell, you’re really missing something. The voice of KLAC radio, Tyrell has breathed new life into wonderful old standards, so much so that he sells out as soon as his shows are announced. His latest CD is “This Guy’s In Love,” and the title song is a fabulous rendition of Herb Alpert’s classic. So if you miss him Dec. 4, keep an eye out for a performance next year. Concert held in Segerstrom Hall at 8pm. Tickets range from $34-69.
-Matthew Bourne’s “Nutcracker,” December 7-12.
This family-friendly, festive treat, is filled with Matthew Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and theatrical magic, but puts a new spin on the traditional telling of this holiday tale. Tickets: $25-$75.
-”Oliver,” December 21-Jan 2.
Some of Charles Dickens’ greatest characters, including Oliver, Fagin and Artful Dodger, spring to life in ths classic musical. The show’s songs include "Where Is Love?" "As Long As He Needs Me," "Consider Yourself," and "Food, Glorious Food." Call for performance times. Tickets: $21.25-$58.25.
Ok, I know you’ve been waiting…The answer to last month’s cliffhanger: The obvious physical difference between seals and sea lions is that sea lions have ear flaps. You knew that all along, right?
This month’s quizlet? Since it’s holiday time, who said these immortal words?
“I will hold Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year”?
Until we meet here again…Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Melikalikimaka and all other holiday blessings possible to you and yours.
Debbi K. Swanson