“Searching for Santa: A Holiday Musical”
November 19
6-10 PM, Free
Virginia Beach Town Center Fountain Plaza
A free evening of musical theater for the holidays.
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
November 25
Sandler Center
The biggest Christmas experience of the year! The original, direct from Russia, Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker! “Knock Out!” Raves the New York Times. Enchant the whole family with larger than life magical props, a 60 foot growing Christmas tree and spectacular Russian-made costumes and sets.
“Master Thespian’s A Christmas Carol”
November 26 through December 21
Merchant Square, Williamsburg
www.merchantssquare.org/calendar
A one-man show does the whole Dickens play inside a magical box within a 10-15 minute span. Fascinating.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
November 29
Ferguson Center
The beloved TV classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.” It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us.
Richmond Ballet’s “Nutcracker”
With Virginia Symphony Orchestra
December 2-4
Chrysler Hall
Tchaikovsky’s brilliant ballet score comes to life for this magical collaboration between the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Ballet! Heralded as “perfect” by The New York Times, Stoner Winslett’s production of The Nutcracker returns by popular demand to Chrysler Hall as one of the highlights of our 2016 holiday season! Join the Russian Bear, the Chinese Dragon and the Mouse King as they celebrate the magic of the holidays with Richmond Ballet and your VSO
“A Christmas Carol”
Virginia Musical Theatre
December 2-4
A festive tradition returns to Virginia Musical Theatre as a big, bold musical, with a contemporary Broadway score by local composer Chip Gallagher and lyricist Jeff Meredith that captures both the spirit of the holidays and Dickens’ classic novel. With more than 30 singers, a full orchestra and elaborate scenery, this timely, uplifting and exhilarating tale will be a treat for the entire family.
“A Southern Christmas Carol”
Peninsula Community Theater
December 2-18
Based on “A Christmas Carol in Prose: A Ghost Story of Christmas” by Charles Dickens
In A Southern Christmas Carol, award-winning playwright Rob Lauer moves the classic tale of Scrooge from 1840’s London to Depression-era rural Georgia during the height of Jim Crow laws. “Though most of the world knows how Dickens’ story ends, Lauer did such an excellent job of tailoring the original story to fit the South that one is eager to see how this story will end,” The Albany Herald enthused; “Meant to explore some Southern themes like agriculture, racism, and poverty, Lauer pays close attention to detail: … biscuits, square dancing, gospel singing, Southern hostility, hospitality ain’ts, and hope chests, pork and collards.” It’s sure to be a new holiday favorite for patrons of all ages.
“Hurrah for the Holidays”
Hurrah Players
December 3, American Theatre
December 9-11, TCC Roper Center
A lively musical review in the style of Radio City Music Hall. Featuring holiday favorites from yesterday and today, precision kick line dancers, a celebration of all faiths and a 100% chance of snow! It’s an event for the entire family!
“A Christmas Carol”
Virginia Stage Company
December 7-24
Wells Theater
It wouldn’t be the holidays without Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at VSC! This heartwarming tradition for the whole family follows the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they visit Ebenezer Scrooge and remind us all of hope, redemption, and love.
“Christmas Extravaganza”
The Academy of Dance
December 11
Ferguson Center
If you can see only one Christmas celebration this year, this is it! The Christmas Extravaganza is a delightful show for young and old that’s a perfect way to begin the holidays! This wonderful Christmas celebration features nearly 300 performers from the Academy of Dance including the National Dance Champion “Showbiz Kids” plus over 50 Elves in costume entering in sleighs, angels, toy soldiers, beautiful ballerinas, fantastic tap dancers, exciting Christmas hip-hop dancers, Christmas vocalists, plus much, much more. The dancing and singing is wonderful. The costumes are superb. For the past 22 years, The Christmas Extravaganza has thrilled audiences while providing funding for over 863 surgeries through Operation Smile. Performances are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on December 11th. All proceeds benefit Operation Smile.
“Elf: The Musical”
December 16-18
Chrysler Hall
ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.
The New York Times says that ELF is “splashy, peppy, sugar-sprinkled holiday entertainment!”USA Today calls ELF, “endearingly goofy!” Variety proclaims, “ELF is happy enough for families, savvy enough for city kids and plenty smart for adults!”
“The Nutcracker”
Ballet Virginia International
December 16-18
Sandler Center
Enjoy nationally recognized guest artists along with our region’s finest dancers. Symphonicity, the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach, will provide live orchestra accompaniment. Escape with Clara and her Nutcracker as he comes to life and saves her from the evil Rat King and his mischievous mice. Witness Dr. Drosselmeyer’s magical snow as it transforms Clara and her beloved Nutcracker into a beautiful princess and a handsome prince. Waltzing flowers, adorable gingersnaps and a delightful Sugar Plum Fairy will make a treasured memory and put the entire family in a warm holiday mood.
“The Nutcracker”
American Youth Ballet
December 17
Ferguson Center
This magical and lighthearted story of a small girl’s dream on Christmas Eve has delighted children and adults of all ages at the Ferguson Center since 2004. This production has developed a following spanning the eastern seaboard, delivering a sparkling adaptation of the E.T.A. Hoffman tale based on the original choreography by Maurice Petipa, and coupled with Tchaikovsky’s rich, classical score. The production features brilliant costumes and scenery, dazzling special effects and showcases an outstanding cast of more than 80 performers.
