HEATHER MORRISON
Arts Writer

If you need a little respite from the nonstop, calorie-rich socializing of the holiday season, try one (or all) of these four low-fat alternatives.

Kitchen Tables: The Food Show
To start is a delectable offering from Meacham, Sask. Known for their interesting collective creations, Dancing Sky Theatre has gathered a group of artists to create Kitchen Tables: The Food Show.

“This brand-new play uses drama, humour, music and more to explore our society’s complex relationship with the food we eat. Our food has changed more in the last 60 years than it did in the previous 10,000 but for many of us it is not something that we spend a lot of time considering.”

Kitchen Table: The Food Show runs Dec. 4 to 20. Tickets range from $15 to $25 and are available from the box office at (306) 376-4445.

To Kill a Mockingbird
This month classic literature comes to life on stage with Saskatoon Gateway Players’ presentation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, dramatized by Christopher Sergel.

“To Kill a Mockingbird is a story that takes place a long time ago and although we may feel removed from its themes, they are universal and still relevant. It has been such a wonderful experience to be part of this important and meaningful production,” said cast member Carol Affleck.

The show runs Dec. 1 to 4 at 8 p.m. with a matinee on December 5th at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $22 and are at the box office at 653-1200.

Little Women
The next theatrical delight lifted from well-read pages is Persephone Theatre’s Canadian musical adaptation of Little Women.

“This is one of those rare stories that can reach across centuries and still tell us something about ourselves: that growing up is a difficult and uncomfortable project, that family is important even when it’s not very likable, that community is indispensable, that ‘we are each of us what all of us has done.’ In that sense this play is by no means a ‘woman’s story’ but rather a story about family, community and home.”

Little Women runs from Dec. 4 to 20. Tickets range from $22 to $35 with two-for-one student sunday evenings and are at the box office at 384-7727 or online at persephonetheatre.org.

Temptation
For the past three weeks, Tant per Tant, a theatre group creating ties between Saskatchewan and Catalan culture, has been offering play readings at Lydia’s pub. For their final reading they’re kicking it up a notch with Temptation, an English language premiere of a new play by Carles Batlle that deals with racism and the desire for freedom.

“From the Literary Soiree in early November through the readings the rest of the month, we’ve had a really positive response to what we’ve been doing. It’s good to see that there is a place for this in Saskatoon. I find readings interesting because you’re getting the story bare bones, not dressed yet. A wonderful opportunity to listen and use your imagination — you’re the one creating the visuals. Having said that, I’m also looking forward to Temptation next week where we will start adding those visual elements,” said board member Kim Searle.

The show takes place at the Refinery Arts and Spirit Centre Friday Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Admission is by donation.