Local theaters’ house shows surge into Christmas

Weatherwise, we cannot start yet singing “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” but step into five local theaters and you’ll feast your eyes and ears on the splendor and sounds of Christmas for the next two months.

Here’s a rundown on the array of entertainment in local house shows.

‘Christmas at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show’

This show begins its fourth year with a yuletide edition. Diners of a four-course meal – a vegetarian plate also is available – will join Captain Scrooge and Bob Cratchit in a special adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, on a journey to Christmases past, present and future in search of “the true reason for the season,” seeing giant toys come to life, performing acrobatics, as well as gymnastics and a live nativity, said Larry McCoy, director of sales and marketing.

Speaking of Dolly Parton, the owner of Pirates Voyage, who has recovered after surgery to remove kidney stones earlier this fall: Look for her new movie, “Coat of Many Colors,” which will premiere, 9-11 p.m. Dec. 10 on NBC (WMBF-TV 10/32, WCBD-TV 2 and WECT-TV 6): Parts of the autobiography about her upbringing, set in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains in 1955, also were filmed in the Dollywood, a theme park celebrating its 30th anniversary in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. (www.nbc.com/coat-of-many-colors).

WHERE: On U.S. 17 Bypass, near northern junction of U.S. 17 Business in Myrtle Beach

WHEN:

▪ 6 p.m. Nov. 5-6, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18-21, 23, 25-26, 29-30; Dec. 2-3, 8-10, 13, 16-18, 20-23 and 28-31; and Jan. 1-2.

▪ 6 and 8:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 27-28; and Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 19 and 26-27.

▪ 4 p.m. Nov. 27.

HOW MUCH: $48.81 ages 12 and older, $27.11 ages 4-11, and free for ages 3 and younger on lap of parent.

INFORMATION: 843-497-9700, 800-433-4401 or www.piratesvoyage.com

‘The Carolina Opry Christmas Special – The Christmas Show of the South’

In this yuletide finale to the 30th anniversary season of Calvin Gilmore’s “The Carolina Opry,” which in 1986 premiered the Grand Strand’s first Christmas show, the founder and owner has “hand-selected” all the songs, said Jordan Gilmore Watkins, vice president and director of marketing. The repertoire will include such talents as Rocky Fretz, an original cast member and pianist, back for the season; the addition of a brass section, and the All That! hip-hop clogging group known for competing in two seasons of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and took part in 2013 in the 87th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

WHERE: Calvin Gilmore Theatre, on U.S. 17 Business, near northern junction of U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach

WHEN:

▪ 7 p.m. Nov. 5, 9, 11-12, 16, 18-19, 23-25 and 30; Dec. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16-17, 21-22 and 26-31; and Jan. 1-2.

▪ 1 and 7 p.m. Nov. 4, 6-7, 10, 13-14, 17, 20-21 and 27-28; and Dec. 1, 3-5, 8, 10-12, 15 and 18-19.

HOW MUCH: Plus tax, for –

▪ Ages 17 and older – $39.95, $49.95 or $54.95

▪ Ages 3-16 – $36 in top seating tier; $26 in other two tiers (with these also applicable for students with ID)

▪ Budget tickets, online only, and if available per show: $37.21 ages 17 and older, and $22.33 ages 3-16.

OTHER SHOWS:

▪ “Thunder and Light,” with clogging troupe All That! – 4 p.m. Nov. 11, 18 and 28; Dec. 2, 9 and 17; and Jan. 2, for $32.51 ages 17 and older, and $20.42 ages 3-16, or $25.99 and $16.75, respectively for budget seats.

▪ “Laser Light Shows,” in “Holiday,” “Classic Rock” and “Family Fun” themes – Check theater for times (4 or 9:30 p.m.) and dates, for $15 ages 17 and older, and $12 ages 3-16 and students with ID.

INFORMATION: 843-913-4000, 800-843-6779 or www.thecarolinaopry.com

Palace Theatre’s ‘Christmas Wonderland’

This new show, said Dawn Formo, the Palace’s director of group sales and rental coordinator, begins a two-year run, also returning to finish 2016, with chorus girls kicking their legs up high, Santa and elves taking audiences on a trip, and two Russian championship ice skaters, Oleg and Iuliia Tsimbaliuk, a married couple lacing up their boots to glide on an ice pond.

WHERE: Palace Theatre, Broadway at the Beach, at 21st Avenue North and U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach

WHEN: Through Dec. 19 –

▪ 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

▪ 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays

▪ 2 p.m. Thursdays (except Nov. 26)

HOW MUCH: Plus tax –

▪ $34.95, $39.95 or $44.95 ages 13 and older for evening shows and $29.95 matinees.

▪ $9.95 ages 3-12 for all shows.

INFORMATION: 843-448-0588, 800-905-4228 or www.palacemb.com

‘The South’s Grandest Christmas Show’

The 2015 annual edition of the “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show” will include – as enumerated by Bob Woods, the Alabama Theatre president, and Ron Zwing, art director – five new cast members, seven new holiday numbers, new added special effects lighting accents, and LED lighting in costumes during some numbers. Grant Turner, the longtime comedian and co-host playing Ricky Mokel, also will chime in with skits about the season. Just last week, he said that during rehearsals, a voice from the dark would tell him, “You can't stand there during this part. Rudolph will run over you.”

WHEN:

▪ 7:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through Dec. 19, and Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 1-2.

▪ 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 15 (but not on Nov. 24), and Fridays-Saturdays through Dec. 19 (but not Dec. 18)

▪ 3:15 and 9 p.m. Dec. 31.

WHERE: Alabama Theatre, in Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach.

HOW MUCH:

▪ $42.95, $49.25 or $52.90 ages 17 and older

▪ $19.95 ages 16 and younger

OTHER SPECIAL SHOWS: Mostly 7 p.m.:

▪ Annual “Carolina Beach Music Awards,” 3 p.m. Nov. 15. $40.95, $52.95 or $68. www.cammy.org.

▪ Eddie Miles’ “An Elvis Christmas,” Dec. 6. $22.95, $26.95 or $31.95.

▪ “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,” starring Gail Bliss, Jan. 15-16. $29.95, $34.95 or $39.95.

▪ Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers (Steve and Rudy), in annual benefit for Pardue Family “Children In Need” Fund, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22.

▪ “The Ricky Mokel Show,” starring Grant Turner, Jan. 30. $29.95, $34.95 or $39.95.

INFORMATION: 843-272-1111, 800-342-2262 or www.alabama-theatre.com

‘Legends in Concert Christmas’

This lineup of tribute artists to close 2015 and ring in 2016 includes three holdovers from the autumn roster, but changing their tunes, of course: Jake and Elwood Blues, Roderick David Stewart, and the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, but with a different person bringing him alive:

Nat King Cole (portrayed by Christopher Nolan), Dolly Parton (Karen Hester). Elvis Presley (Michael K. Chambliss), Rod Stewart (Rob Caudill), and the Blues Brothers (Dan Meisner as Jake, and Russ Peterson as Elwood).

The Christmas numbers also will include duets – besides the Blues Brothers’ set – such as “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” by Dolly and Rod, said Jason Aiesi, Legends’ general manager.

WHERE: 925 Hollywood Drive, Myrtle Beach, at U.S. 17 Bypass and 29th Avenue North, across from Broadway at the Beach.

WHEN:

▪ 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through Dec. 19.

▪ 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 8, and on Dec. 5 and 12.

ALSO:

▪ Regular shows 8 p.m. Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 1-2.

▪ New Year’s Eve shows 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31 (tickets $10 more in all tiers for later show, including simulcast Times Square ball drop and party favors)

HOW MUCH: Plus tax –

▪ $38.95 or $43.95 for ages 17 and older, and $13.95 or $18.95 ages 3-16

▪ Booth $49.95 and $24.95, respectively per age group.

▪ VIP $46.95 for all.

INFORMATION: 843-238-7827, 800-960-7469 or www.legendsinconcert.com/myrtle-beach

‘Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament’

This show, in a majestic theme, showcasing dressage and jousting on horseback, does not shift to a yuletide performance edition, however, its shows continue year round.

WHERE: 2904 Fantasy Way, close to U.S. 501 and George Bishop Parkway, just west of Myrtle Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway

WHEN:

▪ 6 p.m. Nov. 5-7, 13-14, 20-21, 22-26 and 28; Dec. 2, 4-5, 9-12, 18-19, 20-24 and 26-30; and Jan. 1-2.

▪ 5 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27

▪ 5 p.m. Dec. 25

▪ 5 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31.

HOW MUCH: Plus tax and procesing fees – $53.95 ages 13 and older, $26.95 ages 3-12, and free children ages 2 and younger on a parent’s lap.

ALSO: Special offers also available at www.medievaltimes.com/myrtlebeach.aspx

INFORMATION: 843-236-4635 or 800-436-4386.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Local theaters’ house shows surge into Christmas."