2010 Holiday Happenings

From long-held traditions to a taste of the unusual, Seattle offers a big red bag full of festive shows

Theater and Dance
A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL!
11/26–12/30 Based on the much-loved 1983 movie, A Christmas Story: The Musical! reintroduces tragicomic boy hero Ralphie Parker, who tries to persuade his family to get him the official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle—this time through song and dance. Features all new musical numbers for the Seattle debut. Times vary. $23–$83. 5th Avenue Theater,; 1308 Fifth Ave.; 206.625.1900; 5thavenue.org

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE
OF THE CHRISTMAS CAROL
11/26–12/30 It’s Christmas Eve, 1894. Sherlock Holmes has returned after being presumed dead—and he’s pretty cranky. Soon, three specters arrive to uncover clues from the detective’s past, present and future. Originally slated to premiere at Taproot last Christmas, this world-premiere mash-up of Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (written by Seattle playwright John Longenbaugh) was postponed by the Greenwood arson last year, but, at last, the show must go on! Times vary. $24–$35. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St.; 206.781.9707; taproottheatre.org

SHORT STORIES LIVE: HOLIDAY CLASSICS
12/19 Town Hall and A Contemporary Theatre combine forces for this afternoon of unconventional Christmas stories, poems and music. Local actors Frank Corrado, Julie Briskman and Jean Sherrard bring to life a stocking full of funny stories by authors such as Grace Paley, Ron Carlson and Muriel Spark. Special guests include longtime Seattle journalist and photographer Paul Dorpat and steel guitar guru John Owen. 4–6 p.m. $13–$15. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave.; 206.652.4255; townhallseattle.org

PNB’S THE NUTCRACKER
11/26–12/27 Fluff up those tutus—it’s time once again for Pacific Northwest Ballet’s perennially pleasing take on The Nutcracker. Note: This is your last chance to see Adriana Lallone play the Peacock—the principal ballerina is retiring in June. Times and prices vary. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St.; 206.441.2424; pnb.org

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
11/26–12/26 Ebenezer Scrooge, the guy who makes the Grinch look generous, is back for this 35th annual production of the classic Dickens tale. Times vary. $22–$47. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St.; 206.292.7676; acttheatre.org

TEATRO ZINZANNI
12/31 Ring in the new year with a circus of acrobats, dancers, musicians and vaudevillians. Teatro’s New Year’s package includes the Hearts on Fire show, a five-course meal and champagne. 7:30 p.m. $175–$275. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St.; 206.802.0015; zinzanni.org

Music
HOLIDAY GLEE
11/27, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 12/20 This year, the Seattle Men’s Chorus is channeling Glee for its popular show, adding song and dance numbers inspired by the TV series to the group’s broad range of styles (including gospel, show tunes and new a cappella arrangements of caroling classics). Broadway baby Kelli O’Hara will perform as a special guest at the first two performances. Times and prices vary. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St.; 206.388.1400; flyinghouse.org

BLACK NATIVITY
12/10–12/26 With poetry by Langston Hughes, music by local gospel goddess pastor Patrinell White and choreography by Donald Byrd, this annual Intiman Theatre event guarantees comfort and joy—and for the first time, it’s being presented at the Moore Theatre. Times vary. $35–$55. The Moore Theatre, 1932 2nd Ave.; 206.812.3284; stgpresents.org

DUKE ELLINGTON’S SACRED MUSIC
12/26 The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra performs Duke Ellington’s swinging “Sacred Music,” a longtime family favorite. Presented by Earshot Jazz, the evening includes jazz, big band, vocal and instrumental soloists, a gospel choir and tap dance. 7:30 p.m. $15–$34. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave; 206.652.4255; townhallseattle.org

GEOFFREY CASTLE’S CELTIC CHRISTMAS
12/3–12/4 The Northwest’s premier electric violinist brings along a host of holiday musical guests to this holiday celebration. Times vary. $15–$25. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave.; 425.893.9900; kpcenter.org

HOLIDAY POPS WITH CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
12/2–12/5 Experience the Seattle Symphony like you’ve never seen it—accompanied by the aerialists, jugglers and acrobats of Cirque de la Symphonie, who will perform holiday magic to popular seasonal tunes. Times vary. $17–$94. Seattle Symphony, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St.; 206.215.4747; seattlesymphony.org

A CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS:
THROUGH A CHILD’S EYES
12/10–12/11 The Seattle Choral Company brings its band of beautiful voices to the Episcopal cathedral on Capitol Hill. Times and prices vary. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E; 206.363.1100; seattlechoralcompany.org

HOLIDAY HIGH NOTES
12/12 Hear the Northwest Boychoir sing live before a movie montage of beloved holiday cartoon moments. 1 and 2:30 p.m. $8–$10. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave.; 206.829.7863; nwfilmforum.org

Festivals, Tours and Wintry Wandering
SEATTLE CENTER WINTERFEST
11/26–12/31 Get festive with live music, puppet shows, ice sculpting, the ever-popular ice rink and New Year’s Eve at the Space Needle. Times vary. Free. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.; 206.684.7200; seattlecenter.com/winterfest

WESTLAKE CENTER TREE LIGHTING
AND CAROUSEL
11/26–1/02/2011 Head downtown for the annual tree lighting (11/26; 5 p.m.) and carousel kicks at Westlake Center. Free. Times vary. downtownholidays.com

BELLEVUE MAGIC SEASON
11/26–01/09/2011 Revisit Snowflake Lane, the ice arena and the magical Garden d’Lights. Times, prices and venues vary. magicseason.com

CHRISTMAS SHIP FESTIVAL
11/27–12/23 Hop aboard the Argosy Christmas Ship as it cruises to different waterfront communities. Along the way you’ll be serenaded by a caroling choir and dazzled by a flotilla of festively lit boats. Times and prices vary. 206.622.8687; argosycruises.com
GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
11/23–01/02/2011 Look but don’t munch at this annual extravaganza of gingerbread architecture. Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave.; gingerbreadvillage.org

ZOOLIGHTS AT POINT DEFIANCE
ZOO AND AQUARIUM
11/26–1/02/2011 Discover the true meaning of party animals at this event, which features camel rides in addition to magical light displays. 5–9 p.m. Prices vary. pdza.org

SANTA’S LIGHTS TOUR
12/11 Sponsored by the Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association, this three-hour tour of Seattle’s best Christmas lights is most definitely the best time you’ll ever have on a city bus. 7 p.m. $5, kids younger than 5 ride free. Trips depart from Second Avenue S and S Main Street; 206.684.1816; mehva.org

And Now for Something Completely Different
HOMO FOR THE HOLIDAYS
11/25–11/27 & 12/2–12/4 & 12/24
Directed by boylesque star Ben de la Crème, this comedic cabaret show features a raucous lineup of local GLBT talent including Fuchsia Foxxx and the Cherdonna and Lou show. $15–$20. Oddfellows Hall, West Hall, 915 E Pine St.; 206.324.7263; centuryballroom.com

THE DINA MARTINA CHRISTMAS SHOW
11/26–12/31 Seattle’s favorite drag queen disaster, Dina Martina, is back for her annual cringe-inspiring Christmas spectacular. Grab your tix quick—they sell out fast. Times vary. $20–$25. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St.; 206.233.9873; rebarseattle.com

LAND OF THE SWEETS:
BURLESQUE NUTCRACKER
12/9–12/24 It’s the fifth anniversary of this irreverent show in which Seattle’s burlesque stars give us their take on sugar plum fairies (and, in the process, take it off). Featuring Waxie Moon, Miss Indigo Blue, Kitten La Rue and the Aerialistas. Times vary. $35–$40. The Triple Door, 216 Union St.; 206.838.4333; tripledoor.net