The revival of
Our New Girl by Nancy Harris at the Gate was a welcome slice of the urban contemporary. First produced at the Bush in 2012, this psychological drama in which the idea that a woman can have it all gets a spectacular kicking. Directed by Annabelle Comyn, the show had a strong thriller-ish edge, with genuine uncertainty about how the story would twist. The dominant uncertainty was offstage however, and having opened in March, it halted its run early as the country went into its first lockdown. In the words of Druid director Garry Hynes, companies started “unproducing”, scrambling to cancel and rearrange their plans while at the same time trying to invent a new way of serving the theatre audience during a pandemic.
Through Dec. 31:
Victorian House Holidays at the Mansion, 484 Wooster Road., Millersburg. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 1-4 p.m., Saturdays 1-8 p.m., and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. The Victorian House is closed Mondays, and is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Admission is $10, with a senior discount (for guests 60 and over) at $9. The mansion is decorated inside and out, and features self-guided tours. The Millersburg Glass Museum will be open Friday and Saturday, 1-4 p.m., only during the season.
Ongoing: Holiday Fair, Mansfield Art Center, 700 Marion Ave., Mansfield. The fair showcases local artists and artisans. The theme is Making Spirits Bright. From art in the Upper Gallery and Gallery Shop to the Art to Go craft kits for kids in the Foundation Gallery, attendees will find fine art, fine crafts, jewelry and gifts. For more information on the Holiday Fair visit mansfieldartcenter.org.
AREA HAPPENINGS
Staff Report
Community Christmas Celebration: A live nativity with the story of Christmas using a combination of animals, scripture reading, song and candlelight will take place Dec. 23, at 6:30 p.m. This community Christmas celebration will take place at the Savannah Ball Fields, which are located on State Route 545. This event is free of charge with hot chocolate and candy canes. There will be handicap parking available.
The Nutcracker: Ashland Regional Ballet’s The Nutcracker has been performed annually in the Ashland area since 1992. The Ashland Regional Ballet dancers invite you to join them virtually beginning on Dec. 19, when mice and soldiers battle the brave Nutcracker, and ballerinas dance in the snow. All of the parts of the annual classic are present in this virtual movie. Ashland Regional Ballet’s This year the Ashland Regional Ballet brought in a professional videographer to help create this cinema version of the beloved classic. Once a ticket i
Music and Laughter Christmas program live-streaming at Ohio Theatre
Jim Brewer
Special to the Ashland Times-Gazette
“We are not going to let a global pandemic stop us from having our annual Music and Laughter @ The Ohio Theatre Christmas Extravaganza.”
So declared Loudonville’s Ohio Theatre Director Sally Hollenbach in announcing that the show will go on, with a few changes, titled “A Hometown Christmas … COVID Style.” It will be live-streamed on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7, and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.
“You never know what might happen at one of our Music and Laughter events,” Hollenbach said. “It will include a lot of great dancers, music, special guests and hilarious skits by our Music and Laughter troupe. We’ll also share some very special moments as we celebrate Christmas during this very strange 2020 year.”