Broadway Holiday: Ring in the season with New York theatre. New York City’s holiday scene—merrily festooned with bonbons, bravura, and bling —is taking all kinds of liberties with 2015’s season of good will and gifting. Sure, stockings will be stuffed to capacity, menorahs will blaze for days, and Champagne flutes will glisten with New Year’s nectar, but for more and more of us, the bestest holiday memories are wrapped in shared seasonal theatergoing.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting downsizing gift giving, I’m just posing a viable alternative: in addition to the latest gadget, bauble, or toy, treat those you love to a show! So, in the spirit of what to see in NYC, I present the ultimate breakdown of exciting New York holiday—and not-so-holiday—performances!
FOR TINY TOTS WITH EYES ALL AGLOW
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas
©Sunpro, Inc
The little girl with a flair for flair is back for the holidays sharing glitter, glitz, and a lesson or two with a little help from her family...and her fans in the audience! Vital Theatre, through Dec. 27, vitaltheatre.org
FunikiJam Holiday Beat—A New Family Musical
An interactive trip around the world where the wee-est of wee learn how
different cultures celebrate their favorite holidays. Elektra Theatre, through Jan. 2, funikijam.com
The Greatest Pirate Holiday Spectacularrr!
Improv a la pirates, kids, and a bunch of other fun characters help to get this wacky musical version of A Christmas Carol up and giggling! Theater 54, Dec. 24-Jan. 3, greatestpiratestory.com
Seven in One Blow, or the Brave Little Kid
A wintry fairy tale that pops up at Christmas to delight kids who love witches, ogres, princesses, and maybe, just maybe, bragging a little too much! 1 Sheridan Square, Dec. 4-22, axiscompany.org
The Three Bears Holiday Bash
A trio of famous bears takes the stage at Central Park’s Swedish Cottage for sing-a-long fun celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa! Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, through Dec. 30, cityparksfoundation.org
FOR OLDER KIDS
A Christmas Carol
Seven actors take on all the roles in this inventive take on Charles Dickens’s supernatural tale of greed, goodness, ghosts, and redemption. Theatre Row-The Clurman Theatre, Dec. 16-23, theatrerow.org
A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House
Travel back to the 19th century and a historic New York townhouse where you’ll be greeted by holiday decorations, candles, period furnishings, and Charles Dickens himself, performing his famous Christmas classic. The Merchant’s House Museum, Dec. 10-24, merchantshouse.org
A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Dylan Thomas’s cherished holiday memories are captured in this Irish Rep production played out against a backdrop of both traditional and contemporary holiday music. Irish Repertory Theatre, through Jan. 3, irishrep.org
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Tschaikovsky’s breathtaking score and nearly 90 dancers bring George Balanchine’s timeless choreography to life in Lincoln Center’s most cherished holiday tradition. David H. Koch Theater, through Jan. 3, nycballet.com
Young Charles Dickens
Nobody ever said Dickens had it easy as a kid, but he was always a skilled storyteller...a gift he came to appreciate one life-changing Christmas Eve. New York City Children’s Theater, Dec. 5-Jan.3, nycchildrenstheater.org
ALL IN THE FAMILY (Four and Up!)
Aladdin
Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann
With full-bodied, pull-out-all-the-stops singing, dancing, romancing, and clowning, Aladdin, the latest addition to the Disney on Broadway portfolio, features a showstopper to end all showstoppers! New Amsterdam Theatre, ongoing, aladdinthemusical.com
Elf the Musical
Full of good vibes, good laughs, and good cheer—and giant-sized elf shoes—this stage version based on the 2003 film serves up multi-generational, Santa-savvy charm and a first-rate score! The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Dec. 9-27, theateratmsg.com
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The world’s most famous Christmas show casts a rosy holiday glow over New York’s Christmas-scape as the Radio City Rockettes dance their way into the hearts of young, old, and in-between! Radio City Music Hall, through Jan. 3, radiocitychristmas.com
WINTER CAMP
Dames At Sea
Fans of movie musicals from the ’30s and ’40s will recognize the ingénue straight off the bus who lands a role on Broadway, a BFF in the form of a wise-cracking fellow chorus girl, and the sailor of her dreams—all of whom take the stage before lunch. Add to this a prima diva, a snappy score, and lots (and lots) of crowd-pleasing tapping! Helen Hayes Theatre, through Jan. 3, damesatseabroadway.com
Ruthless!
Over the top hilarity with a side of sassy, Ruthless! has more guilty pleasures than bacon-flavored eggnog. The story centers on a moppet whose aspirations outweigh her by about 300 pounds. Every single member of this loony-tunes cast is a revelation, boasting a voice that will knock your Tina Denmark anklets off—I swear! St. Luke’s Theatre, through Jan. 30, RuthlessTheMusical.com
...And, finally, NICE FOR NAUGHTY GROWN-UPS!
Nutcracker Rouge
Sensual doesn’t even begin to describe the intoxicating twists and turns winding through this “baroque-burlesque” reimagining of the Nutcracker. Brought to you by those erotic innovators known as Company XIV, this hauntingly hedonistic masterpiece has scored critical acclaim while seducing audiences with wave upon wave of wanton delight. A high-end aphrodisiac to toss into the holiday punch bowl! Minetta Lane
Theatre, through Jan. 17, CompanyXIV.com
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