Our spirits need lifting these days.
And that is exactly what Live Theatre Workshop is doing with its very silly, and very joyous, production of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Now, don’t panic. This is part of LTW’s “Drive-in Theatre.” The expansive parking lot has a stage set up and you can tune your radio into a frequency that will allow you to hear the play while sitting in your car. Some folks even bring lawn chairs and settle down in front of their cars — the show is loud enough to hear when outside.
Locale Neighborhood Italian will open to the public on Friday, Dec. 3. The restaurant's opening will mark the first time the building located at 60 N. Alvernon Way will have been used since 2015 - minus a short two month venture in 2018. The restaurant will also offer a cafe and bakery. (Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star)
The family show by Vail’s Richard Gremel has become a bit of a tradition at LTW. The story is simple: Dancer (Amanda Gremel) and Snowflake (Michael Martinez) have to generate enough holiday cheer to create the energy needed to pull Santa up on the computer so he can deliver his Christmas message.
They do that with music. Holiday songs that most of us know. We are encouraged to sing along with abandon, and the words are printed on a big screen and in the programs. At the Dec. 12 opening, the audience did that with gusto — we rolled down our windows and heard them belt out such classics as “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
There’s lots of silliness, a reading of “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,” a futile attempt to make Christmas cookies and dancing that was just gleeful.
Martinez and Gremel don’t hold back with the physical humor. The play is light, fun, and funny. And that’s just what we need to lessen the load of the year.
80+ photos of Tucson's baby elephant Penzi
Penzi
Updated
Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Penzi
Updated
“She teaches us all to love and protect elephants,” said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
Penzi
Updated
Although Penzi plays with Nandi the most, she's had good interactions with the rest of the herd. Pictured with Nandi here are Lungile and Semba.
Penzi
Updated
At 11 months old, Penzi is starting to get her tusks, her favorite food is cucumber and she still loves to play with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park Zoo snow day
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
Mapenzi — Penzi for short — was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. She joined sister Nandi, dad Mabu, brother Sundzu and aunt Lungile at the zoo.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi likes to find things around her habitat to interact with — food to eat, a log to balance on or toys to play with.
Penzi
Updated
Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
Though she’s growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Penzi
Updated
Tucson elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Penzi
Updated
Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
Penzi
Updated
Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
Penzi
Updated
Penzi’s current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Penzi
Updated
Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi está interactuando y socializando más con el resto de la manada.
Penzi
Updated
Reid Park Zoo
Mapenzi -Penzi para abreviar- nació del elefante africano Semba, el 6 de abril. Se unió a su hermana Nandi, su padre Mabu, su hermano Sundzu y la tía Lungile.
Penzi
Updated
Reid Park Zoo
A los seis meses, la cría de elefante Mapenzi se ha convertido en una gran aficionada a la lechuga, el pepino y el heno.
Mapenzi
Updated
Born weighing 295 pounds, Mapenzi has doubled that five months later, now weighing 600 pounds. The Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, reopened at the end of August.
Mapenzi
Updated
Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi picks up and chews on plants in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, walks through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi (left), the four-month-old elephant calf, and her sister Nandi inside their enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs with the rest of her herd at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, gnaws on plants at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct,, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo reopens
Updated
Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, drinks water at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Four-month-old Mapenzi enjoys hanging out with big sister Nandi. "She wants to be attached and learning everything Nandi is doing," said Reid Park Zoo elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
At 4 months old, Mapenzi weighs 546 pounds. She enjoys eating beet pulp, which is the root of a sugar beet soaked into an oatmeal-like texture.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Tucsonan will be able to again see the Reid Park Zoo’s elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Penzi continues to be timid around deep mud wallows but she has started to creep up to the side. Reid Park Zoo staff creates smaller puddles for her.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
At 3 months old, Mapenzi — Penzi for short — is learning to come when Reid Park Zoo keepers call her and has voluntarily allowed staff to draw blood without giving any reaction.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Penzi’s teeth have come in, so she’s been interested in eating bits of hay, grass and leaves. Her favorite food is lettuce.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is learning to cool herself down in the mud wallows, though she is still a bit cautious.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
At 1 month old, Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo’s baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zoo’s African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Shelby Maerling, left, and Savannah Beck, elephant care professionals, conduct their morning routine health checks on Samba, left, and Nandi, both African elephants, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Semba, an African elephant, walks around her enclosure at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex, height or weight of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Ann Forsberg-Doyle, a docent, keeps a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Martha Hendricks, left, and Ann Forsberg-Doyle, both docents, keep a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. With arm gestures, Maerling has Semba walk backwards. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Savannah Beck, a lead elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Nandi, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Nandi's mother, Semba, is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Reid Park Zoo
Updated
Martha Hendricks, a docent, records on a tablet that Semba, an African elephant, was eating at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
