Helping You Keep the Magic of the Holidays Alive WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SANITY!

Bobby Martinez — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:08:00 -0800

Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord

SEWING MACHINE

Pulizter Prize winner Kristina Wong never misses, having performed her hit show, Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord to audiences at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. With only her skills and a sewing machine, Wong managed to create a workforce through Facebook that banded together to make masks for those who were in dire need of personal protection equipment during the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The world is your oyster when you have a sewing machine by your side, so we suggest gifting one to the crafty person in your life. Start by sewing patterns or tablecloths and learn as you go! You’ll be ready if you ever need to sew a mask...and who knows, maybe you, too, will win a Pulitzer Prize.

The Secret Garden

TICKETS TO DESCANSO GARDENS

“Come toooo my gaaaaarden...” Well not our garden, we don’t have one. But fans of The Secret Garden know the power and beauty of the great outdoors! When Mary Lennox is orphaned, she moves to the countryside to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, where she encounters a hidden garden that belonged to her departed aunt, Lily. Lennox finds comfort and healing within the garden, and shares the gift with her cousin and uncle, as they all heal from the losses they faced in life. Nature can be a powerful comfort, so we recommend a day at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge to find peace and joy within the flowers and sunlight.

Fetch Clay, Make Man

BOXING CLASSES

With the new year comes the annual list of resolutions, and for many that means a gym membership. Personally, the hardest part about exercising is finding that motivation to get into my car and drive to the gym, but there are ways to make it fun! Inspired by Fetch Clay, Make Man, we recommend gifting yourself and a friend a boxing class! Get that Muhammad Ali physique through a fun course that will introduce you to the world of boxing!

Our Dear Dead Drug Lord:

OUIJA BOURD (IF YOU’RE INTO THAT)

I’ll be the first to admit, I’d never touch a Ouija Board. But much like the iconic girls of Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, some people are just... into the paranormal. I must warn you, if you find yourself haunted/ possessed/in need of The Ghostbusters, that’s on you. But for your occult-loving, dark-sided, nonbeliever friend, this may be the best gift you can ever give them.*

*Center Theatre Group is not responsible for any possessions, hauntings, night terrors, or more that may occur if you mess around with a Ouija Board.

Into the Woods

COW SQUISHMALLOW

You love Into the Woods, we love Into the Woods, who DOESN’T love Into the Woods?! With bop after bop, it’s one of those musicals that stands the test of time and continues to impress audiences all over the country. There are arguably many moments and characters fighting for the spotlight, but the people love one character above all. Milky White. She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment. While you may not be able to gift your own Milky White Puppet, a Cow Squishmallow will sure excite any fan of the musical! Spread some holiday cheer with a plushie as white as milk, but much more tangible!

Peter Pan Goes Wrong

HEADSET/ HEADPHONES

For those who watched the show this past summer, you may remember our friend Dennis, a member of The Cornley Drama Society who needed a little extra help to remember his lines. The solution? A radio headset through which Trevor the Stage Manager can feed his lines to him. Now that may be a very unique situation, but Dennis is on to something! That’s why we recommend a nice headset as a gift for the forgetful person in your life! Communicate with your forgetful friends to remind them about your hangout, or to let them know the answers to that college final!* Or maybe just a pair of headphones to listen to some music...that would work too!

*Center Theatre Group does not condone plagiarism/cheating. Center Theatre Group is not responsible for any institutional discipline, hauntings, or night terrors that may occur if you cheat in school.

Hadestown

FLOWER ORIGAMI BOOK

Orpheus uses his song to move the rocks and nature around him, but you don’t need to venture to Hadestown to make your own magic. With the help of the Flower Origami Book, you too can make nature appear out of thin air, without having to sing! Gift the artist in your life this book to inspire their artistry and have a neat trick they can always pull out at a party. Who knows, maybe they have their own Eurydice to show their love to. Just remind them not to look back! It doesn’t usually end well...

2023/24 SEASON SUBSCRIPTION

Please. Buy. A. Subscription. And if you’re already a subscriber, THANK YOU for supporting the arts. You can also consider a donation, after all the best gift is giving, which you can do at www.centertheatregroup.org/support/

That’s it for this year! Thank you for joining us for a wonderful year of theatre! It has been beautiful to see audiences return to the theatre and enjoy the arts HERE in Los Angeles, and we’re excited to continue to enjoy theatre with you in the coming new year. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a Happy New Year

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