Paramount hosting a variety of holiday

entertainment this coming season

Throughout the year, the Paramount Theatre brings plenty of variety and entertainment to Austin, but it’s during the holiday season when the historic venue really shines. This year is gearing up to be no different.

“It’s definitely one of our busiest seasons and people want to get out and see live entertainment,” said Jennie Knoebel, executive director of the Paramount.

For a number of years the Paramount has showcased the variety act Veldman and Friends, but a couple years ago the familiar and popular show held its last performance, leaving a hole in the holiday season.

But the Paramount moved forward and instead of building around one program has begun bringing more variety to the people of Austin and Christmas. Not that it has been easy considering the success of Veldman and Friends.

“It’s definitely been a challenge,” Knoebel said. “It was such a unique event and uniquely Austin and it can’t be replicated.”

Lending to the popularity of the Paramount is the homey feel of the building and ambiance created inside — a truly welcoming vibe that combines well with the season.

“I think it’s partially the nostalgia,” Knoebel said. “During holiday time people feel nostalgic for the past, and we decorate it all up for the holiday, warm and fuzzy coming home feeling.”

The holiday stage

The Matchbox Children’s Theatre gets into the holiday act, kicking off the season with three shows Nov. 9-11. They will be presenting, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

“They (MCT) don’t always do a holiday show, but are this year,” Knoebel said. “I’ve been in the show twice, so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s a poignant story with a huge cast.”

The play is based on the book by Barbara Robinson and tells the story of six delinquent children who, despite protests from church members, are given roles in the Sunday School’s Christmas play. They proceed to tell the Christmas story in a nonconventional way.

The Paramount follows with the ever popular collaboration with the city’s Christmas in the City celebration on Nov. 23. The usual show includes the “Nutcracker,” performed by the Jane Taylor Dance Academy as well as a short preview of the Rochester-based show Forever Christmas. The full version of that presentation will be held those next two days.

“The place is usually packed,” Knoebel said of the “The Nutcracker.”

“A lot of people like to see the Nutcracker on the holidays.”

Another new event to the Paramount this year is Swingin’ Into Christmas featuring Austin performers and talent. The variety-type show also serves as a fundraiser for the Red Cross.

Depending on what kind of Christmas music you enjoy, there are two opportunities for different styles of Christmas music midway through December.

Home Free Holiday is an a cappella group that will bring more of a high-energy Christmas sound to the stage while a couple days later SimpleGifts featuring Billy McLaughlin will deliver a more traditional variety of music.

“That is going to be more sacred holiday music,” Knoebel said. “ There are four singers and Billy McLaughlin. It’s really nice, strong vocals. SimpleGifts was formed for the holidays.

The season wraps up with flare as Elvis impersonator Joe Sir gives Christmas a hip-shaking spin.

 

Variety

While the Paramount Theatre in the past relied on Veldman and Friends to anchor this time of year, Knoebel is hoping a new approach will offer just as much.

“It’s just going to be a lot of holiday variety,” Knoebel said. “There is a play, sacred music, non-secular music, rock ‘n’ roll as well as the ‘Nutcracker.’ It’s just a wide variety of holiday entertainment.”

 

Celebrate the holidays with the Paramount

•Matchbox Children’s Theatre presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

When: Nov. 9-11.

Times: Nov. 9, 7 p.m.; Nov. 10-11, 2 p.m.

Tickets: $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, under 2 free.

 

•Christmas in the City: Forever Christmas Preview/“The Nutcracker”

When: Nov. 23

Times: Forever Christmas Preview, 7 p.m.; “The Nutcracker,” 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Free.

•Forever Christmas

When: Nov. 24-25

Times: 7:30 and 2 p.m. respectively

Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students. Tickets at the door $2 more.

 

•Swingin’ Into Christmas

When: Dec. 8

Times: 7 p.m.

Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for students.

 

•Home Free Holiday

When: Dec. 9

Times: 4 p.m.

Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for students, $13 for members. Tickets at the door $2 more.

•SimpleGifts featuring Billy McLaughlin

When: Dec. 13

Times: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for students, $13 for members. Tickets at the door $2 more.

 

•Elvis Christmas

When: Dec. 15

Times: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets: $14 for adults, $5 for students, $13 for members. Tickets at the door $2 more.