When San Diego theaters abruptly shut down March 12 due to the pandemic, nobody expected they would stay dark for the rest of the year. And yet, out of the darkness, local artists began producing hundreds of online productions, play readings, cabarets and concerts, audio-casts, podcasts, interviews and education programs to stay connected to their art and their audiences.
For this year’s look back at the 2020 year in theater, I found it impossible to choose a top 10, since there’s no way to compare the work produced onstage before a live audience with shows presented on Zoom and Facebook Live, or filmed plays. So I offer my picks for standout work in a multitude of formats and themes.
New Year’s Eve celebration
concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, online. Led by Music Director Rafael Payare with pianist Ray Ushikubo, the concert will feature Viennese waltzes and jazz-influenced works to ring in the new year. $25 donation requested. Register at
• The San Diego Symphony presents holiday concert
“Noel Noel” online through Dec. 31. The multidisciplinary collaboration features the orchestra along with the San Diego Children’s Choir, San Diego Master Chorale, principal dancer of the California Ballet Reka Gyulai and singer-songwriter Jason Mraz in a myriad of holiday selections led by guest conductor Timothy Semanik. Free. Register in advance:
• The 36th annual
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The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) offers a number of free virtual activities and resources that are available to the community, including GIA’s Knowledge Session webinars, where experts offer their knowledge on all things gems and jewelry. Different experts will engage with online participants weekly on diverse topics in gemology today. To watch past episodes or register for an upcoming webinar, visit gia.edu/knowledge-sessions-webinar. Children can learn about the study of gemstones at GIA’s GemKids website, gemkids.gia.edu.
Library offers eight virtual book clubs
The Carlsbad Library offers six virtual book clubs for adults, one for teens and one for children. Visit carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/library/events/bookclubs.asp.
Twice in the past 10 years, Steven Lone has come to a crossroads in his life where he had to make a choice between pursuing acting wherever it might take him or finding a way to balance that passion with the rewards of a non-artistic personal life.
The 39-year-old Mission Valley actor has no regrets about the paths he chose each time. When he couldn’t find full-time work with an Actor’s Equity contract in San Diego, he gave up his Equity card to stay in town and work a full-time tech job to support his acting pursuits. And after he and his wife, Laura Lone, started a family their daughter Sofia is 4, son Oliver is 2 they agreed he would only do a couple of shows each year so he could share equally in the work of parenting.
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Before going to an event, it is a good idea to check the event website to make sure it is still happening.
CARLSBAD
Virtual family songs, storytimes Wednesdays
The Carlsbad Library hosts 30 minutes of stories and songs in English and Spanish at 10 a.m. Wednesdays with a different theme each week, led by Ms. Angelica at facebook.com/carlsbadcitylibrary/live.
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Drive-in ‘Nutcracker’ ballet set for Saturday
City Ballet of San Diego performs “The Nutcracker” at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday Dec. 19 as part of the Holidays in your Car drive-thru entertainment program at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets are $99-$279. Visit holidaysinyourcar.com.