’Tis the season, and that means lots of holiday joy to round out the year. Classic “Nutcracker” productions will be taking place in Malibu and all over town as well as many fine Christmas productions like “A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens!” presented by the Center Theatre Group.
They’re also decking the halls at Walt Disney Concert Hall with plenty of holiday performances, including legendary Grammy-winner Judy Collins, David Higgs and a Holiday Organ Spectacular. You can swing into the season with The Count Basie Orchestra. As for ringing in the New Year, it’s hard to say no to Sergio Mendes and Sheila E., who promise tropical samba grooves, feisty percussion and Brazilian dancers.
The end of the year also ushered loads of musicians into the Songwriters Hall of Fame including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Tony Hatch, Mick Jones and Lou Gram as well as Holly Knight and JD Souther. Special awards were presented to the dynamic duo, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, as well as Berry Gordy, Hal David and Phil Ramone.
In addition to music, December is a big time for movies. Local Tom Hanks has already received rave reviews for “Captain Phillips.” Critics have hailed his performance as “inspiring and unforgettable.” And hold on to your umbrellas and grab a spoonful of sugar; at the end of the month, when many Oscar hopefuls wait to be released, Tom will appear in “Saving Mr. Banks.” It tells the compelling story of the making of the original Disney classic “Mary Poppins,” which starred locals Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews back in the day.
This time around, Tom plays the part of the late great Walt Disney. Emma Thompson takes on the role of P. L. Travers. The film also features Paul Giamatti, Ruth Wilson and Jason Schwartzman.
The year wraps up with several much-anticipated movies like “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” with Ben Stiller. There’s also “The Wolf of Wall Street,” starring longtime locals Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey, directed by Martin Scorsese. Julia Roberts is also getting buzz appearing opposite the one and only Meryl Streep in “August: Osage County.”
Shifting gears, Ron Burgundy is back in “Anchorman 2.” This time, randy Ron delves into a 24-hour station, but his credo is the same—“doing what the Lord put him on earth to do—have salon-quality hair and read the news.”
If you loved the groovy, goofy original, you’ll probably like this one just as much. Plus, with a rocking soundtrack including Journey’s “Don’t Stop Belevin’” and “Grazing in the Grass” by The Friends of Distinction, it’s sure to be a hit with a lot of Ho, Ho, Ho. Remember my friends, stay classy.