The Madison Catholic Herald -- Arts

MONONA -- The Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 300 Femrite Dr., will host several winter programs.

• "Winter Wonderland," Thursday, Jan. 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Participants will discover telltale signs that wildlife do live here during the bitter winds of January.

• "Winter Through the Eyes of a Pioneer," Friday, Jan. 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Learn how early settlers survived the winter through activities, games, stories, and crafts.

Admission is $13.50 per person or $10 for Nature Center members.

To register, send a check or pay with credit card by calling 608-221-4038.

Comedian to perform in Jefferson

JEFFERSON -- The Council for the Performing Arts welcomes comedian Pat Hazell to Jefferson on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

In a one-man show entitled "The Wonder Bread Years," Hazell recalls the comical memories of Easy Bake Ovens, the mystery surrounding Velveeta cheese, and other recollections. This sentimental look at the past highlights the funny side of everyday situations and seeks to transport audiences to their childhoods, unlocking their sense of wonder.

The show is family-friendly and connects with all ages. This is not a standard stand-up comedy routine, but a humorous nostalgic trip through time that triggers memories from days gone by.

This performance will take place at the Performing Arts Center, located at the Jefferson High School, 700 W. Milwaukee St.

Tickets are $19 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 for students. They are available by phone with Visa or MasterCard by calling the CPA at 920-674-2179. Tickets may be purchased at the council office at 305 S. Main St. in Jefferson.

TV Programs of Note

Following are some theatrical movies and television programs of note. This information is being provided to assist people in making viewing choices.

Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m., EWTN (cable) -- "Daily Mass." No 6 p.m. showing on Sunday.

Friday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., WISC (CBS) - "A Home for the Holidays." As most Americans prepare to celebrate the holidays with their families, hundreds of children and young adults in Wisconsin will have no such plans. They are waiting to be adopted by a family they can call their own. Today in the United States there are 134,000 children who need adoptive families. This program aims to raise awareness about waiting children.

Saturday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m., Hallmark (cable) - "A Christmas Visitor." Holiday drama starring William Devane, Meredith Baxter, and Dean McDermott in which a family grief-stricken by their son's death in the Persian Gulf War is unable to celebrate until a mysterious stranger rekindles their spirit.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 7 a.m., WISC (CBS) - "Christmas Day Mass." Celebrated by Bishop William H. Bullock, sponsored by Apostolate to the Handicapped. Repeats 6 a.m. Dec. 25.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 7:30 a.m., WHA (PBS) - "Three Tenors Christmas." Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti perform Christmas favorites, including "White Christmas" and "Adeste Fideles."

Sunday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m., EWTN (cable) - "Advent Reflections: Part 4." The Advent Season is the beginning of the church's liturgical year. Join Bishop William Lori, from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, for a series of weekly reflections in preparation for the joyous Birth of Our Lord. Repeats 1:30 p.m. Dec. 24; Part 5: 1:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 25.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 12:30 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "Catholic University of America Christmas Concert." The choir from the Catholic University of America presents its annual Christmas concert. Repeats 2 a.m. Dec. 28.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "Candles and Carols." Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., will present the 38th annual "Candles and Carols" Christmas program on EWTN. "Candles and Carols" features scriptural lessons and a candle lighting ceremony surrounded by sacred music. The seasonal program will highlight more than 200 participants performing in a wide variety of university choral and instrumental groups. Repeats 2 a.m. Dec. 27.

Sunday, Dec. 22, 8:30 p.m., WYOU (cable) - "Christopher Closeup: The First Christmas." Christopher Plummer narrates this clay animation version of the traditional biblical Nativity story.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 5 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "Solemn Mass at Midnight with Pope John Paul II Live from St. Peter's Square." Repeats 7 a.m. Dec. 25.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m., WHA (PBS) - "The Nutcracker from the Royal Ballet." Sir Peter Wright's production of "The Nutcracker" at London's Covent Garden Opera.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m., WMTV (NBC) - "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946). Seasonal favorite about the joys and trials of a good man (James Stewart) who, facing financial ruin on the eve of Christmas, contemplates suicide until his guardian angel (Henry Travers) shows him how meaningful his life has been to those around him. Director Frank Capra's unabashedly sentimental picture of mainstream American life is bolstered by a superb cast (including Lionel Barrymore as a conniving banker) and a wealth of good feelings about such commonplace virtues as hard work and helping one's neighbor. Young children may find the story's dark moments unsettling. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-II - adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 9 p.m., Lifetime (cable) - "A Christmas Wish." A mystery in his late grandfather's past changes a young man's future in this program. Old-fashioned values, where people are put before excess profits, come to be forefront as Harvard-educated Will discovers why his grandfather was so beloved.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 9:30 p.m., EWTN (cable) - "Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C."

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m., WHA (PBS) - "Messiah XXI for a New Millennium." Singers Gladys Knight, Roger Daltrey, Jeffrey Osborne and Chaka Khan, along with narrator Aidan Quinn, give Handel's Messiah a contemporary spin.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m., Lifetime (cable) - "One Special Night." A Thanksgiving blizzard strands two strangers overnight in a log cabin in this feel-good holiday romance.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 5 a.m., EWTN (cable) - "Urbi et Orbi Live from St. Peter's Square: Pope's Christmas message to the world." Pope John Paul II gives his Christmas Day message to the world on the celebration of Christ's birth. Repeats 7:30 p.m. Dec. 25; 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. Dec. 26.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 11 a.m., EWTN (cable) - "Solemn Mass of Christmas Day Live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C." Repeats 11 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 5 p.m., WISC (CBS) - "Live at Five: Madison Diocesan Choir Concert."

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 7 p.m., WHA (PBS) - "St. Olaf Christmas Festival." The annual worship service of hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections at St. Olaf's College in Minnesota that celebrate the birth of Christ.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 7 p.m., Fox (cable) - "Anastasia" (1997). Appealing animated musical about the czar's youngest daughter (voice of Meg Ryan) who survives the Bolshevik Revolution to grow up in an orphanage with only faint memories of her family, then meets a handsome con man (voice of John Cusack) who takes her to Paris where her one surviving relative lives. Directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman turn history into a fairy tale with the enchantment of lush animation and spirited musical numbers. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-I - general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was G - general audiences.

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 8 p.m., WHA (PBS) - "The Merry Widow From the San Francisco Opera." From the "Great Performances" series, Wendy Wasserstein's adaptation of the operetta starring Yvonne Kenny as the widow and Bo Skovhus as her dashing Count Danilo.

Friday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m., TNT (cable) - "The Mummy" (1999). Spirited horror adventure set in 1920s Egypt where a treasure hunting Yank (Brendan Fraser) and an archaeological librarian (Rachel Weisz) inadvertently revive a 3,000-year-old mummy (Arnold Vosloo) whose evil powers of destruction seemingly know no bounds. Writer-director Stephen Sommers stuffs the lavishly shot action movie with spooky special effects and a comical tone that generally adds up to rousing, old-fashioned entertainment. Recurring stylized violence and fleeting partial nudity. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 5:15 p.m., TNT (cable) - "Jaws" (1975). Solid thriller about a killer shark first establishes the monster's reality by the effect of its attacks on the tourist trade of a seaside community and then becomes the all-out battle of three men (Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss) against a malignant force of nature. Aided by good acting and superior special effects, Steven Spielberg directs the hunt and killing of the monster with sustained and riveting dramatic intensity. Graphic scenes of the shark attacks may be far too strong for younger viewers. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG - parental guidance suggested.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 7 p.m., WKOW (ABC) - "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993). Limited by court order to seeing his three children only once a week, a resourceful father (Robin Williams) disguises himself as a matronly British housekeeper, gets hired by his estranged wife (Sally Field), then tries to dissuade her from romance with a wealthy former beau (Pierce Brosnan). Directed by Chris Columbus, the sweet but one-joke comedy is carried by Williams, who manages to make the zany situation both hilarious and heartfelt. Frequent though mild sexual innuendo. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification of the theatrical version was A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Radio Programs of Note

Monday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Dec. 29, 4 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Bishop William H. Bullock's Weekly Radio Broadcast.

Friday, Dec. 20, 5 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Catholic Answers Live: What Are Sacramentals?" With Eugene Morris. Repeats 8 a.m. Dec. 23.

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Choral Meditations and Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve." From the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (Live).

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 6 a.m., WHFA (1240 AM) - "Urbi et Orbi: Pope John Paul II's Christmas Message." (Live from Rome). Repeats 10 p.m.

USCCB Movie Reviews

Media/Arts Briefs

Leopold Nature Center programs

Comedian to perform in Jefferson

TV Programs of Note

Radio Programs of Note