The Must-See
This episode is a list of a few things, in no particular order, to see this holiday season, without a Christmas Carol or Nutcracker to be found (okay, there are, but not the traditional kind). I hope you find something that feeds whatever needs you might have, whether it’s a good laugh, a good cry, or a great meal with some great music. Enjoy with family or friends, or follow my formula for solo attendance: Comfy clothes + lovely little drink and treat + sitting in the middle of the back row + spying on the audience = a fun night out with or without your loved ones!
A Snowy Kiss: An Improvised Holiday Romance Movie
December 18-20
Strike Theater (Strike has a whole calendar of cool stuff!)
The formula that creates the comfort of a Hallmark Christmas movie is built for improv. Some of my family (including me) love a good cheesy romance - house rules are that you have to be all in or you don’t get to watch. Yes, the dog named Reindeer is absolutely leading her to Santa who is surprisingly hot, single, and goes by Nick.
Agatha Christie’s The Murder on the Links
November 21-December 21
Theatre in the Round
I mean, COME ON! Agatha Christie and murder at Christmas is an extremely correct seasonal choice. I am feeling the joy just knowing that this is happening.
A Stocking Full of Awesome XVI: O Holy Knife
The Danger Committee
December 12-December 21
Luminary Arts Center (You can also find other, more traditional events on this calendar!)
Knives do fly in this comedy show described as “definite comedy and possible tragedy--just like Christmas!”
Scrooge in Rouge: An English Music Hall Christmas Carol
November 28-December 28
Open Eye TheatreI did say no Christmas Carol, but I didn’t say no parodies of a Christmas Carol. Described as a “raucous, drag-fueled extravaganza.” I think the best way to go is see the traditional show in the big blue box for a matinee followed by this one in the evening for a day that Dickens might just love.
Merrily We Roll Along
The Morris Park Players
December 5-December 21
Gremlin Theater
This isn’t holiday themed at all, but it’s interestingly Scrooge-adjacent as it moves backwards through the life of a sad and bitter man. And it’s Sondheim and a musical, so you can’t go wrong.
Crooner’s Supper Club
Now through the end of December
Crooner’s Calendar
There are so very many options for the holidays at Crooner’s, I couldn’t pick just one (though A Charlie Brown Christmas is definitely calling my name). Cabaret to comedy to a holiday sing-along, with old school supper club food and drinks. If I had the hair for it, I’d sport a beehive with a Christmas bow just like my mother used to do.
All That I Was, I Carried Like a Candle: Echoes of History, the Sound of Survival
A Spotlight Series piano performance by MacPhail faculty member Richard Tostenson December 13
MacPhail Center for Music
If you haven’t checked out MacPhail’s incredible Spotlight concert series, now’s your chance. Their performance hall is small and mighty, holding not only lovely student performances but powerful work by gifted professionals. Check out their whole calendar while you’re on the website.
The Discovery
Do you have some free time this holiday season? Kids at home without anything to do? Check out Hands On Twin Cities for volunteer opportunities throughout the season, and beyond! If you can, donate money as well as time for the organizations that support our communities throughout the year.
Field Notes
My holiday traditions seem to be centered around food - certain recipes that I make just once a year. I make cranberry orange bread because my grandma used to make it, and I make chocolate peanut butter chip cookies because she loved them. My mom always made age-appropriate holiday drinks, and now my son has taken over as bartender. I’ve made aebleskiver (you have to buy the right pan for these ones) for Christmas breakfast most years because my own kids grew up with a grandmother who also only made them once a year. Growing up, my dad would make clam chowder for Christmas Eve, and my own family’s tradition is Denny’s at 9pm, for reasons that are too long to share. For us it’s just not Christmas without a Grand Slam Breakfast as close to midnight as possible. For me, the simplest food can be art, and love. I hope you have a delicious holiday.
