‘The Carols’ Opens at Off the Wall Productions; Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors Play Club Cafe (Fri., 11/29/19)

Reunited for theatrical purposes, Elizabeth Boyke, Moira Quigley, and Mandie Russak once more play the title trio in ‘The Carols.’ (photo: Heather Mull)

1) In Pittsburgh theater circles, off the WALL productions is known for daring, unusual plays that are written by women or feature women as lead characters. Not often is the company known for putting on the region’s first Christmas play of the season—but lo and behold, in a run launched on the very night of Black Friday, off the WALL joins the pace-setters in this category. The Carols is a raucous musical comedy by Philadelphia writer/theater artist Jennifer Childs and Pittsburgh-based composer Monica Stephenson. The setting is a New Jersey town in 1944. Three young women (a gang known as “the Carols”) are dickering over whether to go ahead with the town’s annual stage production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. That could be tough, as the men who could play the male roles are away at war. But the gals forge ahead, with results that are said to be both humorous and heartwarming. The Carols played at off the WALL’s theater in 2017 and now it’s back. Probably by popular demand, although with this company, one never knows. 8 p.m. Performances continue through December 14. At Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main St., Carnegie. (MV)

Jim Donovan (jumping guitarist) & the Sun King Warriors. Photo: Erica Dilcer.

2) Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors bring their lively brand of jam rock to Club Cafe. Donovan and the band’s latest album is 2018’s We See Through It. They describe their new work by saying “It illustrates the transformational power of music. Featuring ten songs that span genres and eras ̧ the sound of the new album blends the vintage rock sound of Zeppelin with the alternative folk of Mumford & Sons propelled by barreling drums.” Songs from the album have been garnering a lot of airplay in Pittsburgh and beyond. The band’s prior release was 2016’s Sun King Warriors. 7 p.m. Sold out. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. 

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