VERMONT PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAM

HIGHLIGHTS FOR

DECEMBER 13-19

Dec. 13: Sunday at 8 p.m., Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” comes to the stage in a concert version of the 2008 Broadway musical. Michael York narrates the masterpiece of love and vengeance set in London and Paris during the French Revolution

Dec. 14: Monday at 7:30 p.m. on “Profile,” Fran Stoddard talks with Jonesville, Vt., poets Daniel Lusk and Angela Patten, who found each other through their art. The published authors call on family history and nature in their work.

At 9 p.m., “American Experience: Influenza 1918” recalls the epidemic that killed 600,000 people in the U.S. at a time when little was known about the disease.

At 10 p.m. “Anatomy of a Pandemic” examines the human dimension of a pandemic’s impact on society. “The NewsHour’s” Ray Suarez reports on efforts to combat the H1N1 flu.

Dec. 15: Tuesday at 8 p.m.,

Nova: The Spy Factory” uncovers the hidden world of hightech, 21st-century eavesdropping carried out by the National Security Agency.

At 9 p.m., “Frontline” presents

From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians.” This first part of a two-week special tells the epic story of the rise of Christianity. It begins by tracing the life of Jesus, the events that led to his crucifixion and the period following his death.

Dec. 16: Wednesday at 8 p.m.,

Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” celebrates the holiday with beloved songs. Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell is guest soloist, and actor Ed Hermann reads the Christmas story.

At 9 p.m., Karita Mattila stars in the PBS season premiere of

Great Performances at the Met.” She sings the title role in the Met’s new production of Puccini’s “Tosca,” the story of three people caught in a web of love and politics. Marcelo Alvarez and George Gagnidze co-star. James Levine conducts.

Dec. 17: Thursday at 8 p.m., “Making Sense New England,” co-produced by Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine public television, looks at the economic downturn in northern New England and some innovative responses. This month’s installment has stories on how colleges in Vermont are working together to help families meet the financial challenges of postsecondary education; fraud victims in Maine who invested in a bogus wind turbine company; and how laid-off mill workers in Berlin, N.H., find new careers through retraining and continuing education. Also, an interview with an advocate for common security clubs, where people help each other during tough economic times. The program is on VPT broadcast channels and www.vpt.org.

At 8:30 p.m. on “VPT Public Square,” host Kristin Carlson and panelists focus on the family issues related to the current deployment of more than a thousand Vermont National Guard soldiers to Afghanistan. The program will highlight resources for their families and ways community members can help. Viewers will be invited to call in with questions and offers of help. The program is on VPT broadcast channels and www.vpt.org.

At 10:30 p.m., “Lights! Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert” returns to VPT. The special brings together diverse performers to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights. Among the music-makers are The Klezmatics, Craig Tubman, cantor Alberto Mizrahi, Michelle Citrin and Dave Koz. Rabbi David Wolpe adds touches of inspiration throughout.

Dec. 18: Friday at 10 p.m., “Independent Lens” presents “Between the Folds,” profiling a determined group of theoretical scientists and fine artists who have forged new lives as origami artists.

Dec. 19: Saturday at 7 p.m., it’s a triple header of “As Time Goes By” episodes until 9 p.m. Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer star in the beloved Britcom.