MOVIES
Some movie promoters claim any publicity is good publicity. The very public pregnancy of a leading actress in a much-anticipated new film, for example, might be a winning promotional campaign. Except when the actress is only 16 and unmarried, and the movie she’s promoting is “The Nativity Story.” So it goes for the talented Keisha Castle-
Hughes, the youngest ever nominee for an Oscar with “Whale Rider” in 2004, and now gossip fodder. Then again, perhaps the Castle-Hughes pregnancy is just the thing to test the Christian values of “Nativity” fans. As the biblical Mary, Castle-Hughes makes the movie work, and there is something in her face that is both adventurous and quietly nurturing. |Michael Booth
CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Ars Nova Singers can be counted on each year for one of the more imaginative, high-quality choral concerts of the holiday season. This year’s presentation will range from the 12th-century music of Hildegard of Bingen to early American carols to modern works by the likes of Giles Swayne and Morten Laurid-
sen. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine St., in Boulder; 7:30 p.m. Friday in St. Elizabeth’s Church, 1060 St. Francis Way on the Auraria campus and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St. in Boulder. 303-499-3165 or arsnovasingers.org. |Kyle MacMillan
TELEVISION
An alleged terrorist, KGB and CIA agents, missing plutonium – a special two-hour installment of “The Closer” has it all, Monday at 6 p.m. on TNT. The second half was directed by Kevin Bacon, husband of star Kyra Sedgwick. | Joanne Ostrow
STAGE
Arthur Miller’s “The Price” might as well be titled: “Biff and Happy: All Growed Up.” The play, which marked Miller’s return to Broadway in 1968, covers the relationship between two estranged brothers who meet for the first time in 16 years to decide the sale of their parents’ possessions. It’s fat with talkiness, and the return to the “Death of a Salesman” well is derivative, but the gamesmanship at play between actors Paul Caouette and Tupper Cullum as brothers Victor and Walter makes for a constantly shape-shifting undercurrent. At the Germinal Stage Denver. Final performances 7 p.m. today and Dec. 10, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2540 W. 44th Ave. $15.75-$19.75 (303-455-7108).| John Moore
VISUAL ARTS
New American Paintings, a periodical published six times a year by Open Studios Press, showcases artists chosen through a jurying process. The current edition, which covers the West, includes seven artists represented in Denver galleries. Examples by each will be featured in “Collective Conscious: Denver’s New American Paintings,” an exhibition curated by Plus Gallery interns for its project space, Object + Thought, 3559 Larimer St. The show will open with a free reception 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and run through Jan. 27. 303-296-0927 or plusgallery.com. |Kyle MacMillan
MPOPULAR MUSIC
So the other day I was listening to Snow Patrol’s “Hands Open,” and it came to me: Snow Patrol is like a louder, less artful Damien Rice. It’s not only that both acts are from the Irish/Scottish rock scene. There’s really a shared aesthetic in their music. Rice’s music, showcased on his solid new album, “9,” is delicate and revealing. Snow Patrol, which plays a sold-out Fillmore Auditorium show on Tuesday, is also revealing, but the opposite of delicate. Snow Patrol’s music pulls the heartstrings, but instead of a light tug, the band yanks with a pair of pliers. The group is connecting with audiences in their native U.K. and the U.S., where they’re riding a wave that started in 2004 with “Final Straws.” | Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
Lipgloss has developed a knack for drawing some of the bigger-name rock DJs around. Members of Interpol, The Smiths, The Stone Roses and the Go-Go’s have all stopped by to spin wax for the indie-punk lovers. This Friday the dance party welcomes drummer Marky Ramone of the Ramones, probably the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee to DJ at the Golden Triangle club night. You can bet he will deliver a vigorous set, considering his seasoning as the host of “Punk Rock Blitzkreig” on Sirius satellite radio. La Rumba, 99 W. Ninth Ave. $8 cover after 9:30 p.m. Denver3.com. | John Wenzel
