Scrooges and Santas on stage
Our picks for the local theater scene's best holiday shows
Tim Uren as a depressive Santa Claus in "Fat Man Crying."
As befitting the winter season, late November and December brings a veritable snowstorm of holiday shows to local stages, from the many Christmas Carols and Nutcrackers to more esoteric offerings featuring zombies and Klingons. Here are a few of Decider’s favorites.
Black Nativity: Hear Again The Christmas Story
Decider’s favorite of all the holiday shows, this perennial jazz and gospel-infused revue features remarkable, full-throttle voices from the likes of T. Mychael Rambo and Aimee Bryant. All the best and brightest holiday standards are sure to get covered: This year’s production reprises such favorites as “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” but it also introduces new arrangements of “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “My Way’s Clowdy.”
Penumbra Theater, through Dec. 28, $38
Decider’s favorite of all the holiday shows, this perennial jazz and gospel-infused revue features remarkable, full-throttle voices from the likes of T. Mychael Rambo and Aimee Bryant. All the best and brightest holiday standards are sure to get covered: This year’s production reprises such favorites as “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” but it also introduces new arrangements of “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “My Way’s Clowdy.”
Penumbra Theater, through Dec. 28, $38
A Christmas Carole Petersen
Theater Latté Da teams with actor-writer Tod Petersen to present another favorite holiday tradition—a gut-busting but remarkably warm homage to the play’s namesake, Petersen’s plucky Minnesotan mother. As with so many families, this determined matriarch is single-handedly responsible for sustaining her family’s holiday traditions. What better way to say, “Thanks, mom!” than writing a play about her?
Ordway Center For The Performing Arts, Nov. 28-Dec. 21, $29-$35
Theater Latté Da teams with actor-writer Tod Petersen to present another favorite holiday tradition—a gut-busting but remarkably warm homage to the play’s namesake, Petersen’s plucky Minnesotan mother. As with so many families, this determined matriarch is single-handedly responsible for sustaining her family’s holiday traditions. What better way to say, “Thanks, mom!” than writing a play about her?
Ordway Center For The Performing Arts, Nov. 28-Dec. 21, $29-$35
The Holiday Pageant
Told with puppets, actors, raucous song, and dance, Open Eye Figure Theatre re-imagines a puckish (but family-friendly) version of the Nativity story. This retelling has Mary and Joseph beset by a hilariously pesky Satan and his blundering minions. But best of all, the production has an endearingly scrappy, handmade quality—permeating everything from the puppets to the costumes—that you won’t find anywhere else.
Pantages Theater, 7 p.m. Dec. 15, $20-$25
Told with puppets, actors, raucous song, and dance, Open Eye Figure Theatre re-imagines a puckish (but family-friendly) version of the Nativity story. This retelling has Mary and Joseph beset by a hilariously pesky Satan and his blundering minions. But best of all, the production has an endearingly scrappy, handmade quality—permeating everything from the puppets to the costumes—that you won’t find anywhere else.
Pantages Theater, 7 p.m. Dec. 15, $20-$25
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce Of 1914
Cantus and Theater Latté Da use war songs and a cappella voices to re-imagine the remarkable Christmas during World War I when both Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms.
Pantages Theater, Dec. 18-21, $25-$35
Cantus and Theater Latté Da use war songs and a cappella voices to re-imagine the remarkable Christmas during World War I when both Allied and German soldiers laid down their arms.
Pantages Theater, Dec. 18-21, $25-$35
From The Charred Underbelly Of The Yule Log
One of Minnesota’s favorite sons—actor, playwright, humorist, and public radio celeb Kevin Kling—reprises his popular one-man show for one night only. Join him as he recalls the holidays of his youth, from long drives by station wagon to grandma’s house to the inevitable letdown every child feels once he’s unwrapped his presents.
Guthrie Theater, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, $23-$28
One of Minnesota’s favorite sons—actor, playwright, humorist, and public radio celeb Kevin Kling—reprises his popular one-man show for one night only. Join him as he recalls the holidays of his youth, from long drives by station wagon to grandma’s house to the inevitable letdown every child feels once he’s unwrapped his presents.
Guthrie Theater, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, $23-$28
A Christmas Carol
You know the yarn—the ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future visit cranky old Scrooge. Of course, they scare the bejesus out of him—and us, too, if we’re paying careful attention. In any case, this popular holiday production is now in its 34th year.
Guthrie Theater, through Dec. 31, $29-$70
You know the yarn—the ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future visit cranky old Scrooge. Of course, they scare the bejesus out of him—and us, too, if we’re paying careful attention. In any case, this popular holiday production is now in its 34th year.
Guthrie Theater, through Dec. 31, $29-$70
Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
On the other side of the river, the folks over at Park Square Theater re-imagine Dickens’ tale from the perspective of the play’s first ghost, Jacob Marley. Best of all, the show stars one of the Twin Cities’ finest, funniest actors: Jim Lichtscheidl.
Park Square Theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 21, $15-39
On the other side of the river, the folks over at Park Square Theater re-imagine Dickens’ tale from the perspective of the play’s first ghost, Jacob Marley. Best of all, the show stars one of the Twin Cities’ finest, funniest actors: Jim Lichtscheidl.
Park Square Theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 21, $15-39
All I Want For Christmas Is 700 Billion Dollars
Laugh to keep from crying this recession-plagued shopping season, but do it before you read January’s whopping credit card statement. The Brave New Workshop’s 50th holiday show sets its satirical sights on the United States’ dismal economy.
Brave New Workshop, through Jan. 3, $17
Laugh to keep from crying this recession-plagued shopping season, but do it before you read January’s whopping credit card statement. The Brave New Workshop’s 50th holiday show sets its satirical sights on the United States’ dismal economy.
Brave New Workshop, through Jan. 3, $17
Miss Richfield 1981’s It’s A Coo Coo Christmas
This is the ultimate holiday stop for bawdy humor and inappropriate wisecracks. Be forewarned, however—if you fail to display mirth, Miss Richfield is bound to make this an exercise in audience participation. Happy holidays, dammit!
Illusion Theater, Nov. 28-Dec. 14, $25-$30
This is the ultimate holiday stop for bawdy humor and inappropriate wisecracks. Be forewarned, however—if you fail to display mirth, Miss Richfield is bound to make this an exercise in audience participation. Happy holidays, dammit!
Illusion Theater, Nov. 28-Dec. 14, $25-$30
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
There are all manner of variations on the venerable Tchaikovsky’s classic, but here's a a traditional Nutcracker with all manner of top-notch flourish: hand-painted sets, enormous puppets, and, but of course, virtuosic ballet dancers.
Orpheum Theater, Dec. 12-13, $35-$85
There are all manner of variations on the venerable Tchaikovsky’s classic, but here's a a traditional Nutcracker with all manner of top-notch flourish: hand-painted sets, enormous puppets, and, but of course, virtuosic ballet dancers.
Orpheum Theater, Dec. 12-13, $35-$85
Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy
Replete with tutu-clad ballerinas, lavish costumes, and a 42-piece orchestra, Minnesota Dance Theater’s magical rendering of this holiday classic is sure to warm any girl’s heart. It its 44th year, it’s also the longest-running arts event in the state.
State Theater, Dec. 19-24, $25.50-$49.50
Replete with tutu-clad ballerinas, lavish costumes, and a 42-piece orchestra, Minnesota Dance Theater’s magical rendering of this holiday classic is sure to warm any girl’s heart. It its 44th year, it’s also the longest-running arts event in the state.
State Theater, Dec. 19-24, $25.50-$49.50
The Nutcracker According To Mother Goose
Zenon Dance Company presents a kid-friendly mash-up of The Nutcracker with familiar fairytale characters—Mother Goose, Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, even Mary and her little lamb.
Southern Theater, Dec. 13-21, $22-$28
Zenon Dance Company presents a kid-friendly mash-up of The Nutcracker with familiar fairytale characters—Mother Goose, Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, even Mary and her little lamb.
Southern Theater, Dec. 13-21, $22-$28
Little Match Girl
This year, the inventive and reliably entertaining Ballet Of The Dolls ventures an all-new dance-driven narrative in which a little girl’s holiday memories come alive at the tippy-top of a matchstick.
Ritz Theater, Dec. 11-28, $24-$26
This year, the inventive and reliably entertaining Ballet Of The Dolls ventures an all-new dance-driven narrative in which a little girl’s holiday memories come alive at the tippy-top of a matchstick.
Ritz Theater, Dec. 11-28, $24-$26
Zombie Christmas Ball
Hark! The herald zombies groan… and eat your brains. Inspired by the popular West Bank dead-man’s party known as the Zombie Pub Crawl, the Nomad’s horror-rific holiday party features underground punk and rockabilly from The Spent .50s, The Falls, Mommy Sez No, and Dead Town; a horror-movie screening; zombie Christmas photos; and the first annual Zombie Christmas Beauty Pageant, in which all the participants will no doubt be drop-dead gorgeous.
Nomad World Pub, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, $8
Hark! The herald zombies groan… and eat your brains. Inspired by the popular West Bank dead-man’s party known as the Zombie Pub Crawl, the Nomad’s horror-rific holiday party features underground punk and rockabilly from The Spent .50s, The Falls, Mommy Sez No, and Dead Town; a horror-movie screening; zombie Christmas photos; and the first annual Zombie Christmas Beauty Pageant, in which all the participants will no doubt be drop-dead gorgeous.
Nomad World Pub, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, $8
A Klingon Christmas Carol
Dickens beams into the Star Trek universe as Commedia Beauregard presents A Christmas Carol as translated into the Klingon language—and re-imagined for the warrior Klingon culture. The show begins with a silent auction, so Ferengi are welcome too. (Confused? Ask a nerd near you to explain.)
Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13, $20
Dickens beams into the Star Trek universe as Commedia Beauregard presents A Christmas Carol as translated into the Klingon language—and re-imagined for the warrior Klingon culture. The show begins with a silent auction, so Ferengi are welcome too. (Confused? Ask a nerd near you to explain.)
Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13, $20
A Very Brady Christmas
No, not A Brady Bunch Christmas, just a Brady Christmas: The Electric Arc Radio Players’ holiday show focuses on the mysterious ponytail of their compatriot Brady Bergeson. The live radiodrama troupe is joined by musical guests Jeremy Messersmith and The New Standards.
Ritz Theater, 8 p.m. Nov. 29, $20
No, not A Brady Bunch Christmas, just a Brady Christmas: The Electric Arc Radio Players’ holiday show focuses on the mysterious ponytail of their compatriot Brady Bergeson. The live radiodrama troupe is joined by musical guests Jeremy Messersmith and The New Standards.
Ritz Theater, 8 p.m. Nov. 29, $20
Fat Man Crying
Writer/director Joseph Scrimshaw is a reliable source of belly laughs in nearly everything he’s involved in, from the ongoing choose-your-own-romantic-disaster comedy Adventures In Mating to Fringe Fest shows like last year’s Shakespeare satire Macbeth’s Awesome Scottish Castle Party. Here, he puts a metaphorical lump of coal in the stocking of a dysfunctional married couple who find themselves burdened with a suicidally depressed Santa Claus.
Minneapolis Theater Garage, Dec. 5-28, $20
Writer/director Joseph Scrimshaw is a reliable source of belly laughs in nearly everything he’s involved in, from the ongoing choose-your-own-romantic-disaster comedy Adventures In Mating to Fringe Fest shows like last year’s Shakespeare satire Macbeth’s Awesome Scottish Castle Party. Here, he puts a metaphorical lump of coal in the stocking of a dysfunctional married couple who find themselves burdened with a suicidally depressed Santa Claus.
Minneapolis Theater Garage, Dec. 5-28, $20
