Some free or low-cost
shows till Christmas
Get into the spirit of the season with these entertainment choices
By Byron Toben
Adding on to my recent compilation of shows opening the first two weeks of December, here are a few more goodies during the last two weeks:
DECEMBER 10 TO 24
15 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
The Hudson Village Theatre hosts 15 Days of Christmas each day at 7 pm. Why limit Xmas cheer to only 12 days? Thank the HVT for their fine selections. This event is free but the theatre will be collecting voluntary donations for Le Pont Bridging food bank.
December 14 to 18
SUPER SHAW
New York’s dynamic Gingold Theatrical Group (Shaw specialists par excellence) ends 2020 with a Super Shaw melange of snippets from the GBS canon. Free as part of the Plays in the House division within the popular, Stars in the House.

Hudson Village Theatre 15 Days of Christmas readers – Image: courtesy of the Hudson VillageTheatre
December 17, 18 and 19
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS
The excellent Montreal Lyric Theatre Singers once again voice their annual Holiday Season concert. Streamed this year, instead of in-person in the Chapel at Concordia’s Loyola campus, it is still a delight to hear. Three show choices: December 17 or 18 at 7:30 pm and December 19 at 4:30 pm.
I’ve often felt that this play [The Importance of Being Earnest] deserves a sequel, as Nora finally got in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House… Playwright readers out there get cracking – fame and fortune await!
December 22
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
New York’s innovative Bedlam Theatre, oft listed in our postings, concludes its Do More Series with Oscar Wilde’s hardy masterpiece. Jack/Earnest, Algernon, Lady Bracknell, Gwendolyn, Cecily and Ms. Prism live on in this “Trivial Comedy for Serious People.”
I’ve often felt that this play deserves a sequel, as Nora finally got in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House – what happened to the happy couples, say, 25 years later? Playwright readers out there get cracking – fame and fortune await! I’m in Earnest.
The event starts with music at 6:30 pm. Play at 7 pm.
The designated charity for this Do More show (free, voluntary donations welcome) is Know Your Rights Camp.
Any time In December
Here are links to two musical novelties:
OVERTURE OF OVERTURES
Dozens of musicians from London’s West End jam it up (5.51 minutes)
HOW THE MUSIC IN THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY WAS MADE
Ennio Morricone’s crew of voice and unusual instruments created a unique sound as Clint Eastwood dispatched various villains.
We appreciate any comments WestmountMag readers have on any of these Holiday season shows.
Feature image: The Lyric Theatre Singers at last year’s Christmas concert in Loyola Chapel, by Tam Lan Truong
More articles from Byron Toben
Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated web sites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.
Thanks, Byron, for your always interesting column!
Cheers!
Lois