Openly gay comic Leslie Jordan will return to Atlanta for a new special titled “Deck the Halls, Y’all.” Jordan, who shot to fame with “Sordid Lives” and later with “Will and Grace,” is a frequent performer in the ATL, where his Southern humor is particularly embraced.
The new Fabrefaction Theater Company tackles Jonathan Larson’s Tony-winning musical “Rent” this season. The musical about a group of twentysomethings in New York may have aged a little but it’s still a potent piece with one of the great modern day scores. Many of its characters are gay and are dealing with HIV/AIDS. Another show dealing with AIDS is “You Passed Me By” at the 14th Playhouse, examining the role of HIV/AIDS information in church.
Besides a lesbian director – Cathe Hall Payne – Onstage Atlanta’s “Hallelujah Girls” has a gay actor and a cast of “strong women.” Payne calls the play, set in a beauty parlor, a comedy about “Southern women hitting their stride and becoming the wonderful, powerful friends they can be together.”
Always a popular production, the Alliance Theatre’s version of “A Christmas Carol” offers its usual grandiose take on the classic, while Georgia Shakespeare serves up a new stage version of the film “A Christmas Story,” about young Ralphie’s desire for a BB gun.
Also diving into holiday fare this year is Actor’s Express, whose “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” is directed by openly gay Clint Thornton and promises some droll storytelling by its three performers.
Other productions to look for include gay actor Bryan Mercer in Theatre of the Square’s “Tuna Christmas;” Theatrical Outfit’s “A Christmas Memory,” based on the short story by Truman Capote; Atlanta Lyric Theatre’s “42nd Street;” and “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” at the Cobb Energy Centre.
Holiday theater calendar
‘A Tuna Christmas’
Through January 2 at Theatre in the Square
‘The Hallelujah Girls’
Nov. 26 – Dec. 18 at Onstage Atlanta
‘Invasion: Christmas Carol’
Nov. 26 – Dec. 23, Dad’s Garage
‘A Christmas Carol’
Nov. 26 – Dec. 24 at Alliance Theatre
‘The Santaland Diaries’
Nov. 26 – Jan. 2 at Horizon Theatre
‘Black Nativity’
Nov. 27 – Dec. 30 at Southwest Arts Center
‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’
Nov. 30 – Dec. 5 at Cobb Energy Centre
‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told’
Dec. 2 – 23 at Actor’s Express
‘A Christmas Survival Guide’
Dec. 3 – 19 at Stage Door Players
‘Rent’
Dec. 3 – 22 at Fabrefaction Theatre Company
‘You Passed Me By’
Dec. 4 at 14th Street Playhouse
‘A Christmas Story’
Dec. 7 – 26 at Conant Performing Arts Center
‘Deck Them Halls Y’all’
Dec. 10-11 at the Buckhead Theatre
‘A Christmas Memory’
Dec. 15 – 23 at Balzer Theatre
‘Holiday Ice Spectacular’
Dec. 16-24 at Cobb Energy Centre
Top photo: ‘The Santaland Diaries.’ based on gay writer David Sedaris’ ‘Holidays on Ice,’ stars Harold Leaver as the often grumpy, openly gay Crumpet. (courtesy Horizon Theatre)