It happens this way every December: All the local events get crammed into the first two weekends of the month. (Now just watch in next week's issue of 7 as we try to come up with stuff for the remainder of the month. But there's always "Nutcracker!")

One underpublicized show that's gotten some good buzz this weekend is "Tableau," a Cirque du Soleil-inspired show at the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts. (It plays 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.) Reader Celena raves:

We went to the Warnor's Theater to see TABLEAU. It was a gorgeous "Cirque Du Soleil" style show. You get to see acrobats, rhythm drumming, contortionists, and tons of gorgeous people. The tricks are amazing! Im quite in lust with the two strong men .. MEOW. There are showings on Saturday, at 730pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. Its well worth the ticket price. Youll even have time to hit the Winter Carnival at Eaton Plaza, after, on saturday night. We did that after the show and had a ball. Hardly anyone there at 9 pm and we had the whole place to ourselves. They run the rides extra long for ya. Check out Tableau. Its really something different for a change.

Cynthia Cooper, executive director of FCASH, had a strong plug for the show on the Fresno Arts Council list serve this morning:

Tonight I had an amazing experience: "Tableau" at the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts. These incredible and gorgeous artists a la Cirque du Soleil perform incredible feats. Did I say they're gorgeous? Seriously stunning and in these lovely, skin tight outfits! You've got to see it. They're performing Saturday and Sunday. Definitely worth seeing.

On the jump: News about "Peter Pan," review links to local plays and a roundup of holiday music.

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A NOTE ABOUT 'PETER PAN': George Akina, long-time performer with Children's Musical Theaterworks, says that the show has been reworked extensively for its second weekend. (It plays for two more performances, 2 and 7:30 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.) He writes:

As a member of the cast, my opinion is clearly biased. I have never seen this production of "Peter Pan," at least not from the point of view from which it should be viewed, from the audience. What our audiences will see today in our last two performances is a much improved version of what Donald Munro saw last week. The long first act and scene changes are clearly shorter. The show is now much more crisp and tight.

As a "seasoned" performer well-accustomed to greeting audiences after a performance, I know hollow compliments and can distinguish them from the real enthusiasm and sincerity I've seen this week. In spite of the dated script, audiences are caught up in the J. M. Barrie's imagination and the magic of theater. Just last night, I met a teenager after the performance whose excitement and sheer joy were so evident in his face and particularly in his eyes. He asked about the next production and I could tell he is already looking forward to his next CMT/MTF encounter. His delight was infectious and invigorating; real nourishment for the soul of a performer.

Finally, what continues to impress me with each and every CMT/MTF production are the smart, dedicated, hard-working and oh-so-talented young people I have had the privilege to share the stage with. I am so blessed to know them and learn with and from them. We close tonight and tomorrow we strike the set and clear the theater. To each of the cast, production team and crew, it's been a pleasure and I look forward to our next production together.

From my onstage point-of-view, this is a good show and worthy of the time and ticket. It isn't perfect, but... maybe today.

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THEATER SCENE: Don't forget the other plays in town, most of which are in their final weekends:

• "Measure for Measure," Fresno State, 8 p.m., John Wright Theatre. Closes today.
• "Jack Goes Boating," Fresno City College, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Studio Theatre. Closes today.
• "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)," Woodward Shakespare Festival, 8 p.m., Severance Building. Closes today.
• "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Reedley's River City Theatre Company, 8 p.m., Reedley Opera House. Continues through Dec. 21.

Check out my reviews for my impressions and reader reactions. There are some strong opposing views of my take on "Measure for Measure." And lots of strokes for the productions of "Jack Goes Boating" and "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)."

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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE: And don't forget all that holiday music. This is the weekend to deck the halls:

• Musica Viva's holiday concert is titled "Baroque Extravaganza" and features compositions by Bach, Telemann, Corelli, Marais, Uccellini, and other Baroque composers. The chamber group performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (with a pre-concert introduction at 6:45 p.m.) at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2101 N. Fruit Ave. Admission is free. Details: wulfhorst.tripod.com, (559) 392-1425.
• The Fresno Choral Artists continues a Fresno tradition of presenting Handel's beloved Messiah in the Tower District. The group performs with orchestra at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Shrine of St. Therese, 855 E. Floradora Ave. This year, they will be joined by members from the Clovis High School Chamber Singers. Tickets are $15, $8 students. Details: fresnochoralartists.org, (559) 432-6330.
• The Fresno Youth Orchestra performs 4 p.m. Sunday at the Shaghoian Performing Arts Hall at the Clovis North Educational Complex, 2770 E. International Ave. Tickets are $12, $8 students and seniors. Details: (559) 275-6694, youthorchestras fresno.org.