Holiday theater is a big deal, as Len Matheo, executive and artistic director at Miners Alley Playhouse, well understands. He estimates that the theater makes about 25 percent of its yearly income in November and December. Additionally, the opportunities theater provides for connecting with friends and family are priceless.

“Normally we’d be doing five shows of `A Christmas Carol’ every week, and three-to-four- of `The Nutcracker,’ since we get people coming to holiday shows that don’t the rest of the year,” Matheo said. “But theater is not dead, and we’ll be here for you, just like you’ve been here for us.”

For the holidays Miners Alley, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden, is offering four ways for audiences to be entertained from the comfort and protection of their own homes.

The first brings Broadway-quality theater to living rooms thanks to a partnership with Onthestage - Tony Award-winning actor Jefferson Mays doing a one-man version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Tickets to this fantastic production run at about $50, but $20 goes directly to Miners Alley to keep the company running.

Those in search of something a little closer to home won’t want to miss “The Twelve Dates of Christmas,” a one-woman live-streamed show featuring Candace Joice (the Henry Award-nominated lead of “District Merchants”), directed by Kate Gleason (True West Award-winner for “Plaza Suite”).

The live-streamed show follows Joice’s Mary through a year in her life after her fiancé ends things on Thanksgiving. During the ensuing 12 months, she attempts to get back into the dating scene and discovers the power of the holidays.

“If you come into our theater now, we’re really set up like a TV studio. We’ve become very good at live streaming and take a lot of pride in that,” Matheo said. “Our technical team, led by Ray Bailey, have really become the stars of the show over here.”

Anyone missing Miners Alley’s take on “A Christmas Carol,” can check out a recording of last year’s production, featuring the indomitable Jim Hunt as Ebenezer Scrooge. As a gift to the community for all its support, the show is available to stream for free.

Finally, Rory Pierce (the director of children’s programming at the theater) will be streaming an entry in the company’s popular Quarantine Cabaret series, entirely made up of holiday songs. Pierce will be accompanied by David Nehls.

“When people support us, we spend that money on the creative work we do. Our main goal is to be in front of audiences’ eyes and stay relevant for our community,” Matheo said. “We’ve got something for everyone this season, all of which provides a feel for great Miners Alley theater at home.”

For information or tickets to any of the shows, call 303-935-3044 or visit www.minersalley.com.

FAC offers options for 46th Holiday Art Market

The Foothills Art Center’s annual Holiday Art Market is in its 46th year, and will look different this go-around.

The market will be open through Tuesday, Dec. 29, at the Center, 809 15th St. in Golden. Shoppers must have a free reservation to shop. The Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and Thursday is for members only.

If you’d prefer shopping from home, there’s a personal shopper experience available that pairs shoppers with a team member who will walk through the market via Zoom for 30 minutes and process your transaction at the end.

All the details are located at www.foothillsartcenter.org/blog/hart-2020.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week - Emma Swift from her kitchen

Covering Bob Dylan has been a thing as long as Bob Dylan has been around, but it has been a while since anyone did as skilled a job as Nashville’s (via Australia) Emma Swift on her tribute album, “Blonde On The Tracks.” Featuring contributions from Robyn Hitchcock and Wilco’s Patrick Sansone, underrated classics like “Queen Jane Approximately” and “You’re A Big Girl Now” take on new layers of loveliness and depth.

As a thank you for fan support this year, she’ll be livestreaming a free acoustic show from her very own kitchen. The concert will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 on Swift’s YouTube channel, which can be found at youtu.be/qEn7R668PhU.

Streaming style - Jagged Little Pill in NYC

At 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, Jagged Little Pill in NYC: A Broadway Reunion Concert - which reunites cast members and The Jagged Little Broadway Band - will be livestreamed for Denver audiences. The production was nominated for 15 Tony Awards this year.

In support of the #SaveOurStages movement, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. All tickets are available at https://bit.ly/38PZgZd.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture apears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.