Holiday entertainment abounds this season

A young girl wants nothing more than to be an elf. A boy wants nothing more than a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas. And some 1930s Alabama resident put their own twist on the holiday.

From concerts to ballet to a street festival and a retelling of a few Christmas classics, the Dothan area and beyond will have plenty of holiday-themed entertainment this season.

“Santa’s Workshop” — a musical dance production by Patti Rutland Jazz — will even be seen by almost every first-grader in Dothan City Schools thanks to Dothan Pediatrics. The medical practice and the jazz company are covering the costs of school children to see the performance, including paying for tickets and transportation to the Dothan Opera House. In return, the children are asked bring cans of food for a local food pantry.

“We want to be able to have 5,000 cans of food for people to have during the holidays,” said Patti Rutland Simpson, the jazz company’s artistic director.

At the Sunday performance, senior adults can enter free if they bring two to four cans of food.

“That is why this show is so magical to all of us,” Simpson said. “ ... We realize the impact we can have in the true magic of Christmas.”

The production about a girl named Brittney who wants to be an elf has been changed somewhat from last year’s premiere with more focus on audience favorites. “Santa’s Workshop” will be performed Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. All performances will be at the Dothan Opera House. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults and are available at the Dothan Civic Center box office.

Here’s a rundown of other entertainment coming this holiday season:

Nov. 20 — Tri-State Community Orchestra’s Winter Concert, 7:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Center on South St. Andrews Street in downtown Dothan. Featuring flute soloist Sadie Wynne, the Dothan Chamber Orchestra and Emmanuel Christian High School Chorus. Adults, $10; students, $8.

Nov. 28 — Thanksgiving Gospel Music Spectacular, 7 p.m., Dothan Civic Center, featuring Gold City, the McKameys, Kingsmen and the Perrys. No tickets needed; $10 donation will be requested at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.; general admission seating.

Dec. 4-5 — “A Southern Christmas Carol,” a musical twist on the classic tale set in rural Alabama in the 1930s, 7 p.m., Dothan Opera House. Tickets are $12 for children, $18 for adults at the Dothan Civic Center box office. The play was originally performed in Colquitt, Ga.

Dec. 4-5; Dec. 11-13 — “A Groundhog in a Pear Tree” children’s Christmas show at the Opus Nostrum Dinner Theatre in Headland. Seating 6:30-6:45 p.m. with show time at 7 p.m. Sunday matinee seating, 1:30-1:45 p.m.; show time, 2 p.m. Bring your own food and drinks to the show. For details, call 693-0846 or e-mail . Also, visit opusnostrum.com.

Dec. 4-19 — “The Toys Take Over Christmas” performed at The Featured Players Theatre, 137 N. St. Andrews St. in downtown Dothan on Fridays and Saturdays in December. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children. For reservations, call 673-1243.Dec. 5 — A Downtown Christmas Celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on North Foster Street in downtown Dothan. Event is free and will feature a snow zone, train rides, food, activities and entertainment.

Dec. 5 — A Downtown Christmas Celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on North Foster Street in downtown Dothan. Event is free and will feature a snow zone, train rides, food, activities and entertainment.

Dec. 5-6 — “The Nutcracker” by the Southeast Alabama Dance Company at the Dothan Civic Center. Tickets on sale Nov. 23 at the civic center box office. Call 615-3175.

Dec. 6 — John Berry Christmas Concert, 7 p.m., Dothan Opera House. Tickets $25. Call 615-3175.

Dec. 8 — Music South’s Holiday Concert and Gala Dinner featuring the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Dothan Civic Center. Dinner at 6 p.m. Single event ticket $50 or tables can be reserved. Call 677-3431 or 794-5408.

Dec. 10 — Sandi Patty’s Christmas Show, Marina Civic Center, Panama City, Fla. One of the most awarded female artists in gospel music with 35 Grammys, Patty will perform at 7:30 p.m. Also featuring Billy Rader and Neysa Wilkins. Call (850) 763-4696 or visit marinaciviccenter.com for ticket information.

Dec. 11 — Friends of the Opera House Olde Fashioned Carole Sing. Call 615-3175 for information.

Dec. 13 — Victorian Christmas at Landmark Park from 1-4 p.m. Call 794-3452 or visit http://www.landmarkpark.com for information.

Dec. 14 — One of Christian music’s most highly regarded bands, NewSong, will bring “A Very Merry Christmas Tour” to Northview Christian Church at 7 p.m. Featuring Big Daddy Weave and special guest Francesca Battistelli.

Dec. 15-20 — “A Christmas Story,” stage version of the classic Christmas movie about Ralphie and his quest for that Red Ryder air rifle. Performance by the Southeast Alabama Community Theatre at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Dothan. Show times at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-19 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. Visit http://www.seact.com or call 794-0400.