Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a good old-fashioned kick line. And there will be plenty of those in the “Traditions of Christmas,” an Idaho-produced holiday blockbuster show in the vein of New York’s Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show.
“Traditions” makes its debut at the Nampa Civic Center this season with nearly 70 performers who have been rehearsing since September. The show celebrates holiday traditions from around the world and throughout time, with nativity scenes, caroling, USO tributes and, of course, a Santa-themed show-stopper with schmaltz and pizzazz.
The musical spectacular originated in San Diego. Theatrical producer Laura Little brought “Traditions” to Idaho in 2013 with a production in Coeur d’Alene, and now she’s tapping into the Treasure Valley talent pool. This year, there are simultaneous productions in Coeur d’Alene and Nampa.
Little co-produced the Tony-winning Broadway comedy “Peter and the Starcatcher” (2012), which starred Tony winner Christian Borle; the Broadway musical “First Date” (2014), which starred Zachary Levi; and the upcoming musical “Come From Away,” which is slated to open on Broadway in February 2017.
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“Traditions of Christmas”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18; 3 and 7 p.m Thursday, Dec. 22; 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. South. $20, $26 and $33 at NampaCivicCenter.com and 468-5500.
‘Fear of the Deep’
Two Boise artists have collaborated on a new book. Multi-media artist Troy Passey and poet Elisabeth Sharp McKetta will sign copies of “Fear of the Deep” at Rediscovered Book Shop on Sunday, Dec. 11. The art book explores life, existence and the human fascination with the ocean.
Both Passey and McKetta work with language as part of their medium. McKetta does so in a direct way as a poet and writer; Passey uses words, snippets and phrases to inspire his black-and-white works on paper, fabric and other media.
They met a few years ago and found they had a similar aesthetic, work ethic and fascination with mortality and ironic juxtaposition. Passey began to create pieces using McKetta’s poetry as inspiration. That led them to the idea for this book.
They originally presented their concept at an edition of “Feast Boise,” a community dinner and crowd-funding event. They didn’t win, but the experience solidified the project, and the book became a reality. They hope it’s the first of a series. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Suicide Prevention Action Network.
Book signing: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Rediscovered Book Shop, 180 N. 8th St., Boise. FearOfTheDeep.com.
‘Will Act 4 Food’
Daisy’s Madhouse Theatre will bring back its popular “Will Act 4 Food” short-play festival. It’s a fun and crazy 24 hours that benefit The Idaho Foodbank. Writers, directors and actors are put together in teams to create 10-minute plays in different genres. They have only 24 hours to go from concept to applause. By showtime, the performers are pretty punchy and anything can happen.
Online registration opens Friday, Dec. 16. The event happens Saturday, Jan. 28, at Boise Little Theater, 100 E. Fort St.
This year, the call is for 38 actors, seven writers and seven director/stage manager teams. Directors may register without a stage manager; writers can register as an individual or a team at DaisysMadhouse.org. Registration costs $15 and will close when the roster is full.
Dana Oland: 208-377-6442, @IDS_DanaOland
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