I have written, at length, about the wonderful plays and musical programs put on at Badgett Playhouse in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky. I wouldn’t hesitate for one second to recommend EVERY show they put on. The talented individuals in these programs seem incapable of doing anything less than perfectly. Whether it’s making you laugh so hard your sides hurt, sing along with songs you’ve loved all your life, or wipe tears away as a song and sentiments are poured out about “Mary’s Son.”

On all of my blogs, and in life for that matter, I could easily be accused of not taking things very seriously. I got my sense of humor from my dad. He pretty much thought all things were funny, and I look at the world through the same glasses. So, when I wax serious -you know I mean it.

Each Christmas season has at least 5 strong memories that attach themselves to your life. They’ll reappear during the year, sometimes, but they mostly rerun during future Christmases.

I remember baking cookies and making fudge, divinity, and other candies with my mom – and I remember baking the same goodies with my own 3 daughters (each year!). I remember the first Christmas after my husband and I started dating. I stayed up until 5 am in the morning making him a cute little gingerbread house. My Siamese cat, Solo, kept me company.

I have a gazillion other memories, which is remarkable for someone who is only 29 (shhhhhhh), but these come to mind right away. I know for a fact that a few of the programs we’ve seen in Grand Rivers, Kentucky will play out in future memories. Tuna Christmas will forever be remembered with a smile, and the Variety! Christmas program and It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Show will be warmly remembered as well.

If you want to make some special new Christmas memories for yourself, I urge you to go to their website, check their schedule and get to as many shows as you possibly can.

Christmas Takes Center Stage in Other Parts of Kentucky as Well

Wherever you live, you’re sure to find a great Christmas play or program to attend this season.  It’s an excellent way to take part in and support your community.  It’ll be an experience you’ll enjoy so much, you’ll wonder why you haven’t taken advantage of these entertaining experiences before.

Below are some that you can look into (in addition to the ones at Grand Rivers!):

The Louisville Ballet presents The Nutcracker

• The Louisville Ballet teams up with The Louisville Orchestra to present Nutcracker at the Kentucky Center. This production, which gets nothing but stellar reviews, runs until December 21.  Tickets are available by calling (502)584-7777 or by visiting www.louisvilleballet.org.
• The Lexington Ballet Company presents Clara and the Mouse King at the Lexington Opera House from December 12 to December 18.Ã?  For tickets, call (589)233-3925 or visit www.lexingtonoperahouse.com.
• The Hardin County PAC will present Nutcracker on December 20, followed by an opportunity for kids and adults to “meet” their favorite Nutcracker characters by having hot chocolate and sweets with them.  How cool is that?!  For more information, visit www.thepac.net.
• The Actors Theatre of Louisville will present A Christmas Carol through December 23. Call (502)584-1205 or visit www.actorstheatre.org for ticket information.
• My hometown, Owensboro, will give the classic tale of A Christmas Carol a little twist at the Theatre Workshop of Owensboro through December 21. Call (270)683-5333 or visit www.theatreworkshop.org for tickets.
• The hilarious play “Christmas Belles” will run through December 21 at Bunbury Theatre in Louisville.  The play involves a southern church’s Christmas program spinning out of control. Sounds like something that’d happen in Tuna!  Visit www.bunburytheater.org for more information.  Apparently the play will also take place at the Kentucky Respertory Theatre in Horse Cave.  See www.kentuckyrep.org for more information.

I hope you and your loved ones are having a breathtakingly beautiful Christmas season and that each day just gets sweeter. You can pretty much ensure that it will if you take in as many of these amazing shows as you possibly can.