Aurora Theatre Rings in the Holidays!

The holidays are in full swing, which means Aurora Theatre’s spirited schedule of December programming promises to bring festive fun for theatergoers of all ages! From Aurora Children’s Playhouse productions like Santa’s Missing Mail, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Trouble in Toyland to the 21st annual yuletide original Christmas Canteen and the FREE Teatro Aurora event Noche de Velas, spirits will be made bright during the most wonderful time of the year!  Special December Programming Aurora’s Children Playhouse Saturdays at 10 and 11:30 am Aurora Theatre assembles the best children performers in the region!  From puppeteers to magicians and storytellers to jugglers, these 45-minute presentations are not only perfect for young audiences but also provide fun for the entire family.  Tickets are $7.  Visit bit.ly/AuroraChildrensPlayhouse for more information. ·         Santa’s Missing Mail Saturday, December 3 Ominous Crook and his sidekick Skellmutt are two dastardly bad guys out to stop Christmas by stealing Santa’s mail.  Produced by All Hands Productions and written by David Stepens, this holiday classic has been a favorite since it debuted in 1998.  As a special bonus, children will have the chance to meet Santa after the show with a contribution to Toys for Tots. ·         ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Saturday, December 10 A merry tale with silly twists and turns, this classic holiday poem takes on a fresh twist as the Piccadilly Puppets share the time-honored tale through the perspective of a mouse. ·         Trouble in Toyland Saturday, December 17 What happens when Santa has lost his laugh, his elves go on strike, and Rudolph has a runny nose on Christmas Eve?  Audiences will find out during this hilarious holiday romp performed by That Puppet Guy. Teatro Aurora: Noche de Velas Wednesday, December 7 Usher in the holiday season with the sharing of traditions and customs from other countries.  During this FREE cultural celebration, guests will indulge in quintessential Hispanic holiday food and music.  For more information, visit bit.ly/NochedeVelas. TIXSTER Exclusive: Poetry and Word Tuesday, December 13 at 8 p.m. TIXSTER members are invited to hang out and hear original stories of empowerment centered on the theme of “The Holidays” during this special Poetry and Word Series.  Registration is FREE for TIXSTER members and begins at 7 p.m. on the night of the event.  Members can join TIXSTER, as well as sign up to participate online at bit.ly/AuroraTixsterSeries. All of the Other Reindeer: A Dog’s Tale Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Written and Directed by Aurora’s Education Coordinator Renita James, All of the Other Reindeer: A Dog’s Tale will be performed by local elementary, middle,         and high school students who have worked since early November to prepare for the annual Aurora tradition.  Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/AuroraHolidayClass. Need a Little Christmas Giveaway This holiday season, Aurora Theatre will spread joy to those in need with the annual Need a Little Christmas Giveaway.  Grand prize winners will receive a family four-pack of tickets to Christmas Canteen and a gift certificate for dinner on the Lawrenceville Square.  Runners-up will receive tickets to an Aurora Children’s Playhouse show this December, A Christmas Carol or The 12 Dates of Christmas.  Nominations are being accepted through Wednesday, November 30, at 5 p.m.  In the spirit of giving, please refrain from nominating one’s self.  Winners will be contacted the first week of December.  For more information, visit bit.ly/NeedALittleChristmas. Continuing in December Aurora’s Festival of Trees Throughout December Adding to the yuletide joy is Aurora’s annual Festival of Trees, supporting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive and Gwinnett’s local food banks.  More than 25 trees decorated by local businesses will illuminate the theater lobby for visitors to enjoy.  All guests are encouraged to cast a vote for their favorite tree by placing a new, unwrapped toy and a non-perishable food item underneath it.  All gifts will be donated to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots and the food items will go toward the Holtkamp Can Challenge to be delivered to area food banks.  Visit bit.ly/AuroraFestivalofTrees for more information. Christmas Canteen 2016 Through December 23; times vary Make spirits bright this winter by joining Aurora Theatre for its annual holly jolly tradition, Christmas Canteen!  Striking up festive tunes through December 23, Gwinnett’s longest running theatrical extravaganza ushers in the sounds of the season with Canteen veterans Brandon O’Dell, Christian Magby, Cecil Washington Jr., Jen MacQueen, Diany Rodriguez, and Lyndsay Ricketson Brown, among many others.  Complete with laugh-out-loud comedy and sparkling musical numbers, this winter wonderland revue promises a delightful experience for all!  Visit bit.ly/AuroraCanteen16 for more information. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Through December 23; times vary This timeless tale of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Anthony Rodriguez) and his quest for forgiveness unfolds in an unforgettable journey of transformation through Christmas past, present and future. Deemed one of the greatest Christmas stories of all time, audiences of all ages will delight in the spirit of the season as they revisit the splendor of what makes Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol a holiday tradition!  Visit bit.ly/AuroraSeasonalProgramming for seasonal programming. The 12 Dates of Christmas Through December 23; times vary 12 Dates of Christmas will provide lots of laughter, as audiences are swept away on a whirlwind adventure into the mishaps of one woman’s attempt to get her jingle back in the wonderful world of dating.  Written by American Shakespeare Center’s Ginna Hoben, the delicious one-woman show makes spirits bright with its festive bundle of laugh-out-loud entertainment!  Visit bit.ly/AuroraSeasonalProgramming for more information. For more information on Aurora Theatre’s holiday events or to purchase tickets, visit auroratheatre.com or call the Box Office at 678.226.6222.