It’s holiday time, and if the South Sound arts scene is anything to go by, the days promise to be merry, bright, joyful and pretty much anything but silent.
In theater, the word is comedy: spoof, slapstick, caricature, it’s all there. There are a couple of standbys (“Oliver,” “Miracle on 34th Street”), but most of the local productions are new takes like the rock-music-Dickens of “The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge” and the cross-dressing, multi-character frenzy of “A Tuna Christmas.”
Musically, though, things are calmer. Choral groups sing carols old and new, Handel’s “Messiah” and the folk songs of “The Christmas Revels.” You can hear a handbell choir ring in the season, or a solo violin.
If you’re looking for something different, turn to The Esoterics, who sing a cappella light and darkness with unusual composers like Schnittke and Joubert.
In the dance world, of course, there’s nothing quite like “The Nutcracker” at Christmastime – and here we’ve got four versions to choose from, plus a Nativity story from the Metropolitan Ballet.
The museums will host events from gingerbread villages to glass-ornament fusing, and there are holiday favorites like Zoolights, “The Polar Express” film and historical reenactments.
It all winds up downtown on New Year’s Eve with Tacoma’s biggest outdoor/indoor arts celebration, First Night.
THEATER
Centerstage Theater, “Jack and the Beanstalk”
What it is: A big dose of English silliness is the MO for Centerstage’s annual holiday pantomime: cross-dressing, family-level slapstick, hilarious songs and lots of audience participation.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20
Where: Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 S.W. Dash Point Road, Federal Way
Tickets: $25/$20/$10
Information: 253-661-1444, www.centerstagetheatre.com
Encore Theater, “Oliver!”
What it is: The classic musical based on Dickens’ novel, featuring Oliver, Fagin, the Artful Dodger and all those great tunes.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5; 2 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 5-6
Where: 6615 38th Ave. N.W., Gig Harbor
Tickets: $18/$14/$10/$8
Information: 253-858-2282, www.encoretheater.org
Lakewood Playhouse/Tacoma Little Theatre, “A Tuna Christmas”
What it is: If you missed Lakewood’s director Marcus Walker and TLT’s director Scott Campbell last year in a hilarious “Greater Tuna,” then you don’t want to miss the sequel. Campbell and Walker take on a ridiculously funny whirl of characters to tell the tale of Christmas in this parochial Texas town.
When: 2 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6; 8 p.m. Dec. 4-5 at Lakewood; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 11-20 at TLT
Where: Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd, Lakewood; TLT, 210 N. I St., Tacoma
Tickets: $13.50-$21.50 at Lakewood/$16-$24 at TLT
Information: 253-272-2281, www.tacomalittletheatre.com; 253-588-0042, www.lakewoodplayhouse.org
ManeStage Theater, “Miracle on 34th Street”
What it is: A heartwarming musical based on the classic film.
When: 2 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 5, 6, 13; 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12
Where: Sumner Performing Arts Center, 1707 Main St., Sumner
Tickets: $10-$15
Information: 253-447-7645, www.manestagetheatre.com
Tacoma Little Theatre, “A Christmas Story”
What it is: The story of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker who, in 1940s small-town Indiana, wants just one thing for Christmas – a Red Ryder BB rifle with a compass in the stock.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 16, 17; 2 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 5, 6, 24
Where: 210 N. I St., Tacoma
Tickets: $24/$22/$20/$16, also pay-what-you-can 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3
Information: 253-272-2281, www.tacomalittletheatre.com
Tacoma Musical Playhouse, “Guys & Dolls”
What it is: Come on, you know this one: Gambler guy Sky Masterson who falls in love with the virtuous “doll” Sarah Brown, amid plenty of Nathan Detroit’s floating crap games.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20
Where: 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: $25/$23/$18
Information: 253-565-6867, www.tmp.org
Theatre Northwest, “The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge”
What it is: Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is ripped into the pop/punk-rock world of the 1970s, with Iggy Scrooge as the (female) nasty rock star who finds salvation.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, 20
Where: Theatre on the Square, 915 Broadway, Tacoma
Tickets: $39/$49
Information: 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org, www.theatrenorthwestgroup.org
MUSIC
Magical Strings, Celtic Yuletide
What it is: A multigenerational family troupe with violins, harps, hammered dulcimers and more, together with singing and Irish dancing, produce their 31st annual Celtic-flavored Yuletide concert.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 (also Seattle Dec. 19, Mt. Vernon Dec. 21)
Where: Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St., Tacoma
Tickets: $26 reserved/$18 adults/$12 children (extra $2 at the door)
Information: 800-838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com, www.magicalstrings.com
Auburn Symphony, “Messiah” and Holiday Music
What it is: The symphony joins with soloists and the Tudor Choir to present highlights from the “Messiah,” Vaughn Williams’ “Fantastia on Christmas Carols” and holiday music singalongs.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3
Where: Auburn Performing Arts Center, 28900 124th Ave. S.E., Auburn
Tickets: $25/$20
Information: 253-887-7777, auburnsymphony.org
Seattle Men’s Chorus
What it is: The annual holiday treat from this diverse, high-quality Seattle choir is “Santa Baby,” a tribute to TV holiday specials and movies.
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 3
Where: Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Tickets: $39/$52
Information: 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org
Northwest Sinfonietta, “Music Off The Walls: The Red Violin”
What it is: James Garlick plays Bach, Ives, Debussy and Corigliano’s famous “Red Violin” suite in the intimate space of the Tacoma Art Museum.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: $19-$49
Information: 253-383-5344, www.nwsinfonietta.org, www.broadwaycenter.org
Tacoma Symphony, “The Sounds of the Season”
What it is: Soprano Amy Mahoney joins the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, the TSO Chorus and the Tacoma Youth Chorus for their annual pops program of fun yuletide carols and songs.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Tickets: $24-$77
Information: 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org, www.tacomasymphony.org
Rainier Ringers, Christmas Concerts
What it is: A five-octave, 11-person handbell choir ringing all the holiday favorites.
When: noon Dec. 5; 5 p.m. Dec. 6; 1 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: Victorian Country Christmas (Dec. 5) at Puyallup Fair & Events Center; Bethlehem Lutheran (Dec. 6), 101 E. 38th St., Tacoma; Tacoma Art Museum (Dec. 12), 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: Free
Information: rainierringers.org
The Esoterics, “Chiaroscura”
What it is: This a cappella Seattle choir explores light and darkness through the music of Strauss, Schnittke and Joubert, set to poetry by mystics.
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 6 (Tacoma); 8 p.m. Dec. 12 (Seattle); 3 p.m. Dec. 13 (West Seattle)
Where: Christ Church Episcopal, 310 N. K St., Tacoma. Also: St Joseph’s Catholic Church 732 18th Ave. E., Seattle; and Holy Rosary Catholic Church 4139 42nd Ave. S.W., Seattle
Tickets: $20 at door/$18 advance, senior, student, military, un(der)employed/$10 active choir singer
Information: 206-935-7779, www.theesoterics.org
University of Puget Sound, Service of Lessons and Carols
What it is: Alternating lessons and carols from the university’s choral groups.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Kilworth Memorial Chapel, North 18th Street and Union Avenue, Tacoma
Tickets: Free
Information: 253-879-3555, www.ups.edu
Puget Sound Revels, “The Christmas Revels”
What it is: The Revels combines folk music, dance and storytelling from medieval England to create a unique world, telling the tale of the Celestial Fool in “Celebration of the Winter Solstice.”
When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16
Where: Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma
Tickets: $26.50/$22/$11
Information: 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org, www.pugetsoundrevels.org
Christ Church Episcopal, Service of Lessons and Carols
What it is: A worship-based, English tradition alternating Bible readings with choir and congregational carols, by candlelight.
When: 5 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: 310 N. K St., Tacoma
Tickets: Free
Information: 253-383-1569, www.ccptacoma.org
Tacoma Symphony and Chorus, “Messiah”
What it is: Handel’s beloved baroque oratorio is a Christmas tradition for the TSO, and includes the well-known aria “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and the “Hallelujah” chorus.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7112 S. 12th St., Tacoma
Tickets: $25
Information: 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org, www.tacomasymphony.org
Choral Arts, “A Choral Arts Christmas”
What it is: An uninterrupted hour of peaceful choral music, with improvised piano interludes.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Christ Church Episcopal, 310 N. K St., Tacoma. Also Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., Seattle (7 p.m. Dec. 19-20)
Tickets: General, $23 advance, $25 at door; seniors, $18 advance, $20 at door/students free
Information: 1-877-404-2269, www.choral-arts.org, www.brownpapertickets.com
Tacoma Philharmonic, Straight No Chaser
What it is: Indiana University’s popular 10-man a cappella vocal group, singing its own groovy versions of holiday favorites.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma
Tickets: $25-$35
Information: 253-272-0809, 253-591-5894, www.tacomaphilharmonic.org
Northwest Repertory Singers, “A North American Christmas”
What it is: An evening of American Christmas music, including the glorious “Christmas Cantata” with brass and organ by Daniel Pinkham.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 3 p.m. Dec. 20
Where: Mason United Methodist Church, 2710 N. Madison St., Tacoma
Tickets: $18/$15
Information: 253-572-4831, www.nwrs.org
DANCE
Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma, “Celebrate His Birth”
What it is: For 20 years, Metropolitan Ballet of Tacoma has retold the Nativity story through ballet to Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi: It’s a good alterative to “The Nutcracker.”
When: 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Curtis High School auditorium, 8425 40th St. W., University Place
Tickets: Free, but need to be reserved
Information: 253-472-5359, www.metropolitanballetoftacoma.com
Dance Theatre Northwest, “The Nutcracker”
What it is: New sets and capable dancers for this version of the classic holiday ballet, narrated by director Melanie Kirk-Stauffer.
When: 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 4 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Mount Tahoma High School auditorium, 4634 S. 74th St., Tacoma
Tickets: $21-$26/$11-$13
Information: 253-565-5149, www.dancetheatrenorthwest.org
BareFoot Studios, Nutcracker Brunch
What it is: Revel in dance, community and food. Take a $5 master class from 1-2:15 p.m. Share in a potluck brunch from 2:15 to 4 p.m.
When: 1-4 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Jan Collum Studio, Merlino Arts Building, 508 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: $5
Information: 253-272-4219, www.barefootcollective.org
Washington Contemporary Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
What it is: WCB’s “Nutcracker” features a diverse cast, including many generations of families in the party scene, contemporary acting and a friendly feel.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12; 6 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: Mount Tahoma High School auditorium, 4634 S. 74th St., Tacoma
Tickets: $18
Information: 253-474-4312, www.wcbdance.org
Ballet Northwest, “The Nutcracker”
What it is: The 25th anniversary of this Olympia company’s “Nutcracker,” with new choreography and a 200-person cast, including dancers from Seattle’s Spectrum Dance Theater.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19; 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20
Where: Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia
Tickets: $14-$28
Information: 360-753-8566, www.balletnorthwest.org
Tacoma Performing Dance Company, “The Nutcracker”
What it is: Choreography by artistic director Jo Emery.
When: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19; 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20
Where: Stadium High School auditorium, 111 N. E St., Tacoma
Tickets: $18-$22
Information: 253-752-8530, www.tacomaperformingdance.org
Tacoma City Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
What it is: For their grand version, Tacoma City Ballet follows the original Marius Petipa choreography and the Northwest Sinfonietta plays Tchaikovsky’s delicate score. Features MLKBallet dancers Kate Monthy as the Snow Queen and Joel Myers as the Cavalier, and BareFoot Collective dancer Katie Stricker as the Mouse King.
When: 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19; 1 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20
Where: Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma
Tickets: $28-$60
Information: 253-591-5894, www.broadwaycenter.org, www.tacomacityballet.com
VISUAL ART
Tacoma Art Museum, Gingerbread Village
What it is: A village of 13 gingerbread buildings modeled after Tacoma landmarks by local artists, architects and chefs. In partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
When: Dec. 2-13. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays
Where: 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: $9/$8/free for younger than 5 and third Thursdays
Also: 1 p.m. Dec. 6, Fused Glass holiday ornament workshop; $65/$55.
Information: 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org
Museum of Glass, “Christmas Around the World”
What it is: Make Christmas crafts from four countries – France, Poland, Germany and the Ukraine – and watch selections from “The Nutcracker” by Synergy Dance at 1 and 3 p.m.
When: 1-4 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: 1801 Dock St., Tacoma
Tickets: $12/$10/$5
Information: 1-866-4-MUSEUM, www.museumofglass.org
FILM
The Grand Cinema, “Polar Express”
What it is: One of the Click! Family Flick series, this animated Christmas classic by Robert Zemeckis is a great holiday watch for kids.
When: Doors open 10 a.m., screening 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19
Where: 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: Free, first 100 people only
Information: 253-572-6062, www.grandcinema.com
CULTURE
Zoolights
What it is: The annual holiday lighting extravaganza, with multicolored lights in the shapes of monkeys, penguins, even the Narrows Bridge.
When: 5-9 p.m. daily through Jan. 3, including Christmas and New Year’s Day
Where: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma
Tickets: $6.50 online and at Bartell Drugs, $7.50 at gate
Information: 253-591-5337, www.pdza.org
W.W. Seymour Conservatory, Victorian Holiday Celebration
What it is: Staff in Victorian costume, refreshments, Santa, and a donation point for socks and mittens for the Tacoma Rescue Mission Family Shelter.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Wright Park, 316 S. G St., Tacoma
Tickets: Donation suggested
Information: 253-591-5330, www.metroparkstacoma.org
Fort Nisqually, 19th-century Christmas
What it is: Re-enactors bring the Christmas of 1855 to life, along with gingerbread cookies, whistle music, dancing and more.
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Fort Nisqually at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
Tickets: $6/$5/$4/$3
Information: 253-591-5339, www.fortnisqually.org
Washington State History Museum, 14th Annual Model Train Fest
What it is: Just what it sounds like: a museum floor’s worth of model trains and their tiny worlds.
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Dec. 26-Jan. 2 including New Year’s Day
Where: 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
Tickets: $8/$7/$6/free for five and under and third Thursdays
Information: 253-272-3500, www.washingtonhistory.org
First Night, “Komandu”
What it is: Tacoma’s annual family-friendly, arts-based, alcohol-free New Year’s Even celebration, with live music, magic shows, visual art spectacles and more.
When: 5 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31
Where: Theater District, downtown Tacoma (around Broadway and South Ninth Street)
Buttons: $10/$5 (ages 7-17)/free for 6 and younger
Information: Get buttons from LeRoy Jewelers, Museum of Glass, www.brownpapertickets.com, www.firstnighttacoma.org
Rosemary Ponnekanti: 253-597-8568
rosemary.ponnekanti@ thenewstribune.com
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