Even though holiday events have been going on for a couple of weeks already, there's something about the calendar turning over to December that makes it feel more like the season. Accordingly, six out of 10 of the events in this week's round-up will be holiday-related. You can also see a topical new TV show, an acclaimed foreign film, a great British theater production, or a star-studded country concert.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, November 30
United Fort Worth presents America Ferrera's Out of Reach
Out of Reach follows actress America Ferrera as she travels to Texas in the final months of the Obama Administration to find out how immigration policies are affecting the 1.65 million undocumented people currently living in the state. The show, part of a five-episode season available on Hulu and Amazon, will be screened for free at Funky Town Creative Arts Lounge, followed by a Q&A and discussion.
Stage West Theatre presents An Act of God
Direct from the pearly gates, and flanked by His ever-faithful and devoted archangels, the Almighty Himself is back to set the record straight and answer the deepest questions plaguing humanity since Creation. In this hilarious, no-holds-barred, irreverent play, God takes the stage to deliver a new and improved set of Commandments. The play will run at Stage West Theatre through December 31.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Master Chorale will present the timeless holiday tradition, Handel’s Messiah. The audience at Bass Performance Hall will experience the reverence of the season with an evening of stunning solos, immortal choruses, and thrilling orchestration.
Friday, December 1
Magnolia at the Modern: The Paris Opera
In turn ironic, light-hearted, and cruel, encompassing music and ballet, The Paris Opera shines the spotlight on great passions and tells the story of life behind the scenes at one of the most prestigious performing arts institutions in the world, the iconic Palais Garnier, the home of the Paris Opera since 1875. The film, in French with English subtitles, will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Casa Mañana presents Santa Claus: A New Musical
When Santa announces that he’s retiring after 1,000 years, the search is on for someone to fill his boots. Expecting to be the next Father Christmas, Henchy the Elf is disappointed when Santa has someone different in mind. Will Santa and his elves get Nick ready in time to deliver the toys all over the world? Or will the discouraged Henchy successfully sabotage Christmas? Casa Mañana will present the family-friendly show through December 23.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents It’s a Wonderful Life
If you see only one screening of the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life this year, make it this one. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will put on this one-night-only performance at Bass Performance Hall, playing along live as poor Jimmy Stewart gets put through the wringer to figure out that his life is much more important than he had ever imagined.
Stolen Shakespeare Guild presents Little Women
The Stolen Shakespeare Guild will present Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, adapted by Emma Reeves. Little Women tells the story of the March sisters — romantic Meg, shy Beth, willful Amy, and, passionate and fiery Jo — growing up in genteel poverty against the backdrop of the American Civil War. This timeless tale of four sisters' adventures now can be seen in this acclaimed adaptation for the stage, which will play at Fort Worth Community Arts Center through December 17.
Saturday, December 2
National Theatre Live presents Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire, and David Haig star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy. Against the backdrop of Hamlet, two hapless minor characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, take center stage. As the young double act stumble their way in and out of the action of Shakespeare’s iconic drama, they become increasingly out of their depth as their version of the story unfolds. The London production will be screened at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Circle Theatre presents Holiday on Thin Ice
Holiday on Thin Ice is a show that celebrates the shortest yet most expensive days of the year with comedy sketches, clever quatrains, and wacky carols. These days, the minute Halloween is over, it’s time for even more horror: Black Fridays, zombified shoppers, budget-killing sprees and the most-dreaded ... visits from in-laws. Circle Theatre will present two free showings on Saturday.
Sunday, December 3
99.5 The Wolf’s 10 Man Jam
If you consider yourself a country music fan, you have to head to Billy Bob's Texas on Sunday afternoon for 99.5 The Wolf's 10 Man Jam. The special event will feature performances from a variety of country heavy-hitters, including Darius Rucker, Gary Allan, Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, Tyler Farr, Scotty McCreery, Jerrod Niemann, Midland, Carly Pearce, and Brandon Lay.
Stage West Theatre presents An Act of God through December 1.
