Short Takes: Events around the region

HO! HO! HO!...HUMBUG?
‘Tis the season, don’t you know. HO! HO! HO! Er, humbug?
Now that’s gotta be Ebenezer Scrooge, well, “Scrooge: The Musical.” Following a round of school performances, Theatre Bristol’s vibrant production will bow to the public from Nov. 20-22 at Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn.
The cast? Superb. The story? It’s courtesy Charles Dickens, one of literature’s greatest from any era.
The songs? Now there’s the tricky part. Generations of film, television and stage productions of “The Christmas Carol” featured nary a tune. Dickens certainly wrote the book with a story in mind and not songs.
However, Theatre Bristol features singers with voices that boom with heart and soul and spirit enough to carry Dickens’ story to realms that he most likely didn’t envision. So for those who desire an early dose of Christmas spirit, “Scrooge: The Musical” ought mightily to fill such merry desires.

IF YOU GO
What: “Scrooge: The Musical”
When: Nov. 20-21 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $8 for children under age 12
Info: (423) 274-8920 or (423) 968-4977
Web: www.theatrebristol.org

LITTLE WOMEN
Louisa May Alcott sure was onto something when she wrote “Little Women.”
See Alcott’s work set to music from Nov. 12-15 when “Little Women: The Musical” stages at Thayer Theatre at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va.
Directed by Bonny Gable, the production stars Rebecca Catalino as Jo, Elizabeth Habernehl as Meg, Sarah Jones as Beth, and Abigail Bice as Amy.
Published in 1868 and 1869, Alcott’s tale features four sisters with dilemmas. Jo has a temper, Meg vanity, Beth is shy, and Amy is selfish. A mix of drama and comedy ensues.
Talk about legs. Alcott’s “Little Women” has since been adapted to film, television, Japanese anime, opera and since its 2005 debut on Broadway a musical.
Lively time? Oh yes, little but lively.

IF YOU GO
What: “Little Women: The Musical”
When: Nov. 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Thayer Theatre at Virginia Intermont College, 1013 Moore St., Bristol, Va.
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students
Info: (276) 466-7973
Web: www.vic.edu

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Steve Earle’s little boy isn’t so little anymore.
Like his father, Justin Townes Earle has something to say.
Line up to hear him when he and guest Jessica Lea Mayfield appear at Machiavelli’s in Bristol, Tenn., on Nov. 15.
For $10, hear a lifetime of travels and travails from a fella who sounds as if he sure took his namesake (late songwriter Townes Van Zant) quite seriously.
What Earle may lack when compared with his father’s occasionally controversial songs, he more than compensates for with his songs of substance. Spin Earle’s outstanding album “Midnight at the Movies.” His vivid portraits of life strike little movies that demand repeat attention. Hear one, and you can’t hear enough of Justin Townes Earle.

IF YOU GO
Who: Justin Townes Earle and Jessica Lea Mayfield
When: Nov. 15, 8 p.m.
Where: Machiavelli’s, 8 5th St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $10
Info: (423) 573-9955
Web: www.justintownesearle.com
Audio and video: http://new.music.yahoo.com/justin-townes-earle/tracks/

MUSIC NOTES
Merlefest fans take note. Tickets for Merlefest 2010, which runs from April 29-May 2, 2010 at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C., went on sale Nov. 10 via www.merlefest.org and by phone at (800) 343-7857. Single-day admissions range from $35-$55, while four-day passes vary from $120-$225.
Merlefest 2010’s lineup includes Doc Watson, Steve Martin, The Avett Brothers, Little Feat, Elvis Costello, Rhonda Vincent, Dailey and Vincent, and John Cowan.
She’s everywhere. Taylor Swift, that is. Commercials, television, radio, magazine covers and so on, and now she’s on a superstar’s album, too.
Nope, not Britney Spears, thank goodness.
Instead, Swift’s fans can look for her new duet with John Mayer. Available on Nov. 17 when Mayer’s new album “Battle Studies” hits stores, Taylor duets with Mayer on “Half of My Heart.” For those who like middle-of-the-road, 1970s-sounding fare, then check it out.
Also out next week include new albums from contemporary gospel’s Casting Crowns with “Until the Whole World Hears” and Paul McCartney’s two-CD/one-DVD live release “Good Evening New York City.” Check out Boyz II Men’s fine album of covers “Love” and rapper Rakim’s “The Seventh Seal.”
This week’s free MP3 download comes from Rob Halford. The longtime lead singer of heavy metal legends Judas Priest on Nov. 3 released his first solo album in seven years, “Halford III: Winter Songs,” which includes “Christmas for Everyone,” downloadable for free by going to www.halfordmusic.com and clicking on the link and following subsequent instructions.
That’s it this week for this week’s Short Takes and Music Notes. Return next week for another rock and rolling round of news to put a zing in your day. Until then and by all means stay tuned.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at features@bristolnews.com.