Santa Claus News

This holiday season, Disney will put a 'Frozen' twist on its 31st annual Christmas Day telecast, appropriately renamed the 'Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration,' airing Christmas morning TODAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

As a FREE gift to readers, Bill Burkett offers up three Christmas stories from three of his short story collections -- 'A Santa Claus Story' fromPea-Green Boat, 'Christmas in Nassau' from Mean Grey Old Morning,and 'L.A. Christmas' from Newspaper Gypsy -- absolutely FREE to you.

Singer-guitarist Wendell Ferguson is the anti-Claus. And I was reminded how much I enjoy his Yuletied parodies earlier this month at the CBC taping of this year's Royal Canadian Air Farce New Year's Eve comedy special. Remember the kid in the horror movie 'The Omen' who turns out to be the anti-Christ? Gregory Peck checked the lad's scalp and found three sixes - the sign of the beast - in a circle? Well, if you were to check Wendell's scalp, you'd find three 'Hos' in a circle instead!

One Direction stopped by the TONIGHT SHOW Music Room to perform 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, using only classroom instruments. Check out the appearance below!

In Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, an angel in training named Clarence comes back to earth to earn his wings by helping one man recognize his value in the world. The beloved classic is a reminder to all adults that every man matters and every angel has his own special way of helping those in need.

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual Holiday Drama Marathon, featuring the AIR Repertory Players under the direction of Irene Arranga, highlighted by the premiere of the Chanukah special, Dreidels and Donuts by Lynne Kadish and The Christmas Eve Truce, performed 100 years after the original World War I battlefield truce.

At The Laurie Beechman Theatre last Thursday night, the new dynamic duo of Carole J. Bufford and Eric Yves Garcia performed their fun holiday show, A Christmas Carole & New Year's Yves, to a full house of adoring family, friends, and fans. They were the very picture of the perfect holiday host and hostess.

Due to overwhelming demand, The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) and Lythgoe Family Productions (LFP) have added a January 2, 2015 7:30pm performance of this year's Panto at the Playhouse SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT.

Move Over Radio City! Stand aside all you Las Vegas Production Shows!! Live It Up Productions' ROCKIN THE HOLIDAYS, playing now through December 28 at the JW Marriott Desert Breezes in Palm Desert, is the DEFINITIVE holiday extravaganza - and well worth the drive in from San Diego, Los Angeles and all points between. The multi-talented cast of twelve singers and dancers (many Broadway veterans) deliver one of the finest holiday production shows I have seen in two decades and, believe me, I have seen my share. It is technical perfection as well - truly a visual feast for the eyes.

Eighteen actors and seven directors collaborate to present eight plays in one amazing night. The show titled, In the Darkness of Winter: A Medley of Thrilling Tales and Magical Memoirs features several intriguing one act plays by New York City playwright Michael Andrews, James Ferguson and Alex Broun. In the Darkness of Winter debuts this weekend, December 20th and December 21st at The Playroom Theater within the heart of New York City's theater district, Times Square

Bad Theater Fest, created as a supportive, fun and open environment for artists, presents their first annual collection of holiday-inspired performances at Treehouse Theater, 154 W 29th St (b/t 6th and 7th Ave) - 2nd Fl, New York, NY 10001. The festive variety show takes place tonight, December 20, 9pm - 11pm. Tickets are $5 and available for purchase through treehousetheaternyc.com or badtheaterfest.com.

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra will ring in the holiday season with its annual Home for the Holidays performances at the Morris Performing Arts Center tonight, December 20 at 8:00 p.m. and tomorrow, December 21 at 2:30 p.m.

John Schneider and Tom Wopat -- the original stars of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' -- have hit the Billboard Top 10 with their new album Home for Christmas. For the week of December 20, the recording debuts at #10 on the 'Traditional Jazz' chart.

Grain of Sand's You Can't Get a Decent Margarita at the North Pole is the perfect present for anyone looking for good old-fashioned kitschy Christmas fun this holiday season.

KPFK Radio's Arts in Review, Los Angeles's longest-running radio showcase on live theater and cabaret, presents its annual Holiday Drama Marathon, featuring the AIR Repertory Players under the direction of Irene Arranga, highlighted by the premiere of the Chanukah special, Dreidels and Donuts by Lynne Kadish and The Christmas Eve Truce, performed 100 years after the original World War I battlefield truce.

Ariana Grande teamed up with with Michael Buble on his annual holdiay special MICHAEL BUBLE'S CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK, which aired Wednesday, December 17th on NBC.

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., a professional non profit theatre company for family audiences, continues it's exciting new holiday musical 'Christmas at Santa Claus Station' at the Center for the Arts in Milford through December 28th. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Get up off your couch; pass through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and head on down to the Curran Theatre to see everyone's favorite Elf - Buddy! This family friendly Christmas spectacular is going to bring the whole family into the holiday season with a hop skip and a Christmas carol with the whole cast of Elf. Playing now through December 28, Santa, Buddy and the whole cast of Elf are sure to bring Christmas joy to every girl and boy - and adults!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical opened at Tennessee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night. Rudolph pranced into Nashville bringing Christmas spirit along with several recognizable friends like Hermy, Yukon Cornelius, Clarice, the Abominable Snowman, and, of course, Santa Claus. Based on the 1964 stop-motion animation Christmas special that still plays every year, Rudolph the Musical brings the joy of the television special to the stage, while still retaining all of its charm.

Two new books offer essential additions to any art lover's personal collection.