Orlando arts groups offer Christmas Eve thrills and chills

Still looking for Christmas entertainment? Orlando’s arts groups are planning to keep things merry and bright right up to Christmas Eve. Here are four shows to keep things festive while you wait for Santa this Dec. 24.

One-Man ‘Christmas carol’: David McElroy’s annual one-man retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of ghosts, Scrooge and redemption almost didn’t get told this year.

McElroy has presented the production at various locations for 22 years. But the COVID-19 pandemic made finding the right location this year a challenge. Eventually, the best location became one that many theaters have become familiar with in 2020: A computer screen.

The 23rd season of McElroy’s one-man “Christmas Carol” will be livestreamed on YouTube at 8 p.m. Dec. 24. McElroy adapted the story himself and plays 37 different characters. Marylin McGinnis and Chloe McElroy will codirect the production.

Central Florida Community Arts choir members hold a physically distanced rehearsal for “Noel: The Carols of Christmas.” The concert will be streamed on Dec. 24. (Central Florida Community Arts / Courtesy photo)

‘Noel: Christmas at Home’: The Central Florida Community Arts Choir has recorded a production of Derric Johnson’s “Noel,” which premieres on Dec. 24. “Noel” is a traditional telling of the birth of Jesus using Bible verses and beloved carols. The work forms the basis of Disney’s “Candlelight Processional,” so if you missed the Epcot tradition — canceled this year because of COVID-19 — here’s your chance to hear its wonderful music.

The CFCArts concert version was recorded by Valencia College’s film department during an in-person, outdoor performance. In the spirit of Christmas, the concert is available to watch on a pay-what-you-can basis, starting at $1. For more information and to view, go to cfcarts.com/noel-home.

“A Classic Christmas” is the Bach Festival Society’s holiday salute. (Bach Festival Society)

‘A Classic Christmas’: The Bach Festival Society’s “A Classic Christmas” didn’t happen this year, but you can take a trip with the Ghost of Christmas Past and view the Winter Park organization’s 2019 concert on WUCF-Channel 24 at 8 p.m. Dec. 24.

The hourlong program features the 175-member choir, youth choir and orchestra, under the direction of John V. Sinclair, as they perform songs and carols such as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Night owls — or really early birds — take note: The program repeats at 3:30 Christmas morning. It also will air at 5 p.m. Dec. 25.

Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost” will be performed by Phantasmagoria on Christmas Eve. (Napoleon Sarony // Wikimedia Commons)

‘The Canterville Ghost’: Telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve is a longtime tradition particularly popular in the Victorian era. The spooky storytellers of the Phantasmagoria performance troupe are keeping that tradition alive, with a free online presentation of “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde at 8 p.m. Dec. 24.

Wilde’s story mixes humor with the macabre, as a ghost finds it impossible to frighten the new inhabitants of the English country house that he haunts. Suitable for the holiday, the tale has a heartwarming ending.