Take it from actor Taylor Renee Henderson: “A wise queen,” she says, “knows how to get it done.”
Henderson is one of two wise queens — as opposed to the better known three wise men — who comes to the aid of a depressed young man living in COVID quarantine – in “Manny and the Wise Queens.” Oceanside Theatre Company is presenting the first full staging of this holiday play written by Idris Goodwin in a production opening Friday at the Sunshine Brooks Theater in downtown Oceanside.
“It’s not your Dickensian Christmas Carol,” said Henderson, who co-stars as Queen Ella in the production directed by Jacole Kitchen with Ali Nelson as Manny and Dianne Yvette as Queen Gladiolus. “It’s very relevant and very present. Not to mention, when was the last time you heard Christmas songs being rapped?”
“Manny and the Wise Queens” is set during the holiday season in 2020. Manny encounters the wise queens in his attic. No gold, frankincense and myrrh in this show.
“These queens dance and love TikTok,” Henderson said.
The comedy of “Manny and the Wise Queens” aside, the fact that the play is set during the pandemic is not lost on its cast.
“When you see a show or a movie that has references to distancing or safety precautions, it feels very much like a period piece,” said Henderson, adding “Art is reflective and indicative of the time period.”
But ultimately for Henderson, “Manny and the Wise Queens” is a “funny and cute riff on what magic can be. It’s like taking a classic and turning it on its head.”
For tickets to the production, which runs through Dec. 22, visit oceansidetheatre.org.
Magic
I must be wrong about magic acts. To me they’re entertainment fit for kiddie birthday parties. So why are David Copperfield and the duo Penn and Teller such big Las Vegas headliners? Must be something I don’t see, and when it comes to magic it’s all about what you don’t see.
Going back to Penn Jillette and the single-monikered Teller, they’ve stayed popular since at least the ‘80s by mingling comedy with their prestidigitation. That’s part of their appeal to adults, as is their knack for debunking this and that.
Fans who flock to Vegas to see them at the Rio Hotel & Casino need not drive that far on Friday when Penn & Teller return to Harrah’s Resort Southern California in what is now known as the city of Funner (which can be found in Valley Center). Visit https://harrahssocal.com.
Pop music
Singer Sarah Brightman may not have nine lives, but she’s enjoyed a long and varied career since she originated the role of feline Jemma in “Cats” back in 1981. She would go on to star as Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” before becoming a star solo artist in both the classical and pop idioms.
Now Brightman’s in a holiday mood, touring with her “A Christmas Symphony” show. That brings her to downtown’s Civic Theatre on Sunday night. San Diego’s one of only 14 cities on this December tour.
Opera
If you’re immersed in the spirit of the season, you can warm up for Brightman’s Sunday concert at the Civic on Saturday at the nearby Balboa Theatre where San Diego Opera presents its choral holiday celebration “Making Merry.”
The show stars the San Diego Opera Chorus along with soprano Alisa Jordheim under the direction of Bruce Stasyna. The repertoire will include familiar carols as well as works from long ago that are evocative of the holiday season.
Tickets start at $23 at sdopera.org/shows.
Television
Here’s a stocking stuffer for the kids — though I willingly it I’ve seen “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at least 30 times myself. The 1964 stop-motion, animated-puppet holiday special created by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass is airing for the 60th time at 8 p.m. Friday night on NBC.
To commemorate that landmark, this “Rudolph” is 75 minutes long and includes footage not always seen during its annual airing.
Everybody knows Rudolph and Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snow Monster of the North, but bet you didn’t know that when it first aired, on NBC’s “General Electric Fantasy Hour,” it did so in the afternoon. The most famous reindeer of all has been prime time ever since.
U-T arts stories you may have missed this week
- ‘The Energy Curfew Music Hour’ a labor of love for married creators Chris Thile and Claire Coffee
- How Tucker Wetmore became one of country’s hottest rising stars
- December Nights 2024: Expect a Ferris wheel and the newly renovated Botanical Building
- Judy Collins, a happy workaholic at 85, talks music, sobriety and testifying at 1968’s Chicago 7 trial
- Brewery Rowe: Is San Diego’s beer industry circling the drain? Nope.
- Famed soprano Barbara Hannigan set for San Diego concert debut
- Lion’s Share’s new chef gunning for fresh flavors at 13-year-old downtown nightspot
- Author finds deep and disturbing history of violence against Native American women in ‘Searching for Savanna’
- Review: Scripps Ranch Theatre’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ is funny and heartbreaking
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Theron Brown: Jazz, Soul and the Art of Inspiration”
Discover the vibrant sounds of pianist Theron Brown, whose music draws inspiration from gospel, jazz, and soul legends. Originally from Zanesville, Ohio, Theron now calls Akron home, where he teaches jazz piano at the University of Akron and coordinates Curated Storefront’s Artist Residency Program at the ”I Promise School.” As the founder and artistic director of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, he is a key figure in Akron’s music scene. Theron also shares his ion through the interactive app Playground Sessions and tours with his talented trio, featuring Zaire Darden on drums and Jordan McBride on bass. Theron as he discusses his journey, his influences, and his work on a new album.
“Proteins, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s”
How can proteins that life also lead to disease? In this program, UC Santa Barbara professor Joan-Emma Shea explains how the tau protein, which helps stabilize brain cells, can sometimes form harmful clumps called amyloid fibrils. These clumps are linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy—conditions known as tauopathies. Shea discusses what happens when tau proteins go wrong, how they contribute to these diseases, and the latest research into potential treatments. This program offers an in-depth look at how understanding proteins like tau can help scientists find new ways to combat neurodegenerative diseases and improve brain health.
“Empowering the Future of Medicine”
How can we create a diverse and inclusive future in the health sciences? Through the UniversityLink Medical Science Program (ULMSP), college students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds gain essential academic and professional skills to pursue careers in health science. Dr. Ramón A. Hernandez highlights how ULMSP fosters family , builds a culture of academic excellence, and emphasizes community service. Students in the program benefit from long-term mentoring and develop lasting social and professional networks, setting them up for success in the competitive field of health sciences. This program showcases how ULMSP is opening doors and creating opportunities for the next generation of health science professionals.
And finally, top weekend events
