Laurie Roldan returns to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center to share her favorite Christmas tunes in a special cabaret concert inspired by the music of Karen Carpenter with performance Nov. 30 at 2 and 7 p.m.
What brings fans back again and again is not only the beautiful music and Roldan’s gorgeous voice, but the many personal stories she shares with her audience and the sense of intimacy and friendship she creates.
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“One of my favorite memories is sitting by the tree with my mom and listening to my dad, a clarinet player, play beautiful music for us, filling our home with joy and magic,” said Roldan. “But the holiday season wasn’t just about music, it was about family. I remember baking cookies with my mom, and now as the mom to three amazing daughters, Christmas means even more. Whenever I sing ‘Merry Christmas, Darling,’ I think about my girls and how they’ve enriched my life in so many ways.”
Roldan brings all these cherished memories to the Lesher stage in “Laurie Roldan Sings Carpenter Christmas Favorites,” hoping to start your holiday season on the right note.
Joining Roldan is special guest vocalist Deborah Del Mastro. The well-known local performer was recently seen at Woodminster Summer Musicals as Mama Rose in the musical “Gypsy.” She also did several national tours of “Nunsense,” including one starring Sally Struthers, as well as many other regional credits.
The onstage band features Musical Director Brett Strader on piano, Krista Strader on harp and Joyce Lee on violin.
The continuing popularity of Karen Carpenter, not to mention Roldan’s charisma, has necessitated a move from the Lesher 133-seat theater to the 297-seat Margaret Lesher Theatre.
For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org.
El Cerrito: It’s a “Charlie Brown Christmas” in the East Bay as Contra Costa Civic Theatre presents the holiday treat Saturday through Dec. 15.
The story follows a disillusioned Charlie Brown who thinks the holiday season is over-commercialized. To get him out of his funk, Lucy suggests he direct the Christmas play. True to form, Charlie Brown makes a mess of the show, leaving the Peanuts gang to show him the true meaning of the season.
Performed by adults, the play is 45 minutes long followed by a sing-along with the cast.
The multi-talented Nicole Helfer helms the production which includes Chachi Delgado (Snoopy), Edward Im (Charlie Brown), Mary Kalita (Sally Brown), Catherine McElaney (Freida), Brittney Monroe (Lucy van Pelt), Kevin Pack (Schroeder, musical director), Alex Rodriguez (Linus van Pelt) and David Schiller (Pig Pen).
For tickets, call 510-524-9012 or go to ccct.org.
Berkeley: Leave it to Shotgun Players to offer a unique, steamy, romantic comedy for the holidays — one that looks at technology and intimacy and asks, “What is real?”
Inspired by The New York Times column “The 36 Questions that Lead to Love,” Leah Nanako Winkler wrote the intriguing play “36,” which premieres Saturday at Shotgun and plays through Dec. 22.
Set in New York City, two strangers hook up on an online dating app. They meet at a bar and quickly discover both have different agendas: one wants a one-night stand and the other craves emotional intimacy. During one hot night, they ask and answer 36 increasingly personal questions that will irrevocably change them both.
For tickets, call 510-841-6500 or go to shotgunplayers.org.
S.F.: Serving up some tasty treats with the Broadway hit “Waitress” is San Francisco Playhouse. Directed by Susi Damilano with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer, the musical confection runs Nov. 27 through Jan. 18.
The story follows small-town waitress Jenna trapped in a loveless marriage. She puts her frustration into creating outlandishly named pies and hopes to own her own pie shop someday. An unexpected pregnancy threatens to thwart her dreams until a baking contest offers Jenna a sliver of hope.
The show features Tanika Baptiste, Ruby Day and Sharon Shao.
For tickets, call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org.
Auditions: Clayton Theatre Company will audition for Michael Frayn’s hilarious comedy “Noises Off” on Dec. 8 (4-6 p.m.) and Dec. 10 (7-9 p.m.) at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton.
No appointment is necessary. Bring a headshot and resume and prepare a two-minute monologue. You may also be asked to do a cold read from the script. Go to claytontheatrecompany.com and click on the “More” tab.
Pittsburg Theatre Company is auditioning for a mysterious musical. They aren’t divulging the name yet. Hopefully, you can find out at auditions which take place Dec. 8-10, with the production scheduled for May 2025.
“We can’t tell you the name of the musical, but we know it comes straight from the Windy City, so you’ll not want to miss out,” said the company’s website.
For more information, go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.