Holiday shows

What better way to celebrate the season than spending an evening soaking up some quality entertainment? Here’s the lowdown on all things holiday in Richmond’s wonderful world of performing arts.

November 28, 2010; 8:34 PM • by RVANews staff

What better way to celebrate the season than spending an evening soaking up some quality entertainment? Here’s the lowdown on all things holiday in Richmond’s wonderful world of performing arts.

(Just click on the name of the show to get more information, see show times, and purchase tickets.)

Richmond Triangle Players: Comfort and Joy

It’s the Christmas season in the Hollywood Hills. Scott and Tony, a happily married couple, find themselves in the middle of a holiday disaster. Scott’s recently widowed, demanding mother arrives from Texas convinced that her son is really straight. Tony’s brother, recently thrown out by his wife, is camped out on the sofa threatening suicide. Tony’s sister arrives unexpectedly from South America in a very pregnant condition. And into this holiday whirlwind descends an unusual fairy – yes, a real one – who teaches the family about love, hope and forgiveness.

Date: November 17 through December 11 (evenings and Sunday afternoons)
Location: 1300 Altamont Avenue
Cost: $25 for Opening Night, Friday and Saturday evenings; $20 for Thursdays

Swift Creek Mill Theatre: Winter Wonderettes

Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy (The Marvelous Wonderettes) are entertaining at the 1968 holiday party for Harper’s Hardware Store. A rockin’ 60’s blast to celebrate the season with friends and family. Filled with familiar musical hits from another era.

Date: November 18 through December 31 (matinee and evening performances available)
Location: 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Cost: Tickets: $35

Barksdale Theatre: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Broadway’s Patti D’Beck (Guys and Dolls, Thoroughly Modern Millie) is BACK to help Barksdale deck the halls of the historic Empire Theatre with this beloved reinvention of the classic film — guaranteeing Richmond an extravagant holiday treat of unforgettable song and dance.

Date: November 19 through January 9 (matinee and evening performances available)
Location: 114 West Broad Street
Cost: Adults $46; seniors (65+) $43; youth (18 and under) $19

Theatre IV: The Velveteen Rabbit

In this delightful and moving adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit, a beautiful velveteen rabbit is gifted to a young boy on Christmas morning. On his first night in the nursery, the velveteen rabbit meets all the other toys and learns about becoming real.

Date: November 26 through January 9 (morning, matinee, and evening performances available)
Location: 1601 Willow Lawn Drive
Cost: $14-$18

Swift Creek Mill Theatre: Drifty’s Christmas Countdown

The Mill’s grand tradition continues with the newest installment of Paul Deiss’s classic series. Drifty is having some difficulty counting backwards toward his favorite day of the year, causing our North Pole friends to have some serious problems with their holiday schedules. Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, Pepita the Elf, and Cowboy Jim as they help Drifty count down to the big day.

Date: November 29 through December 22 (morning and afternoon performances)
Location: 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Cost: $9.75 ($8.75 group rate)

West End Assembly of God: Glorious Christmas Nights — Sincerely Yours

The children’s letters have been particularly distressing to Santa this year — too much materialism and greed. The more he reads, the more disillusioned he becomes. When Santa refuses to make his Christmas Eve around-the-world flight, Mrs. Claus and his elf friends pull out all the stops in some zany attempts to rally Santa from his depression. Finally, confronted with the simplicity of one child’s unselfish Christmas wish, Santa realizes his attitude has been tarnished by circumstances and people around him. As Santa’s faith is restored through reaffirming his purpose in life, the mystery behind the greedy letters is revealed. Then, this fun-filled adventure ends at just the right place — Bethlehem.

Date: December 1 through December 12 (evening performances)
Location: 401 N. Parham Rd.
Cost: $18

Henley Street Theatre and Richmond Shakespeare: The Winter’s Tale

The Winter’s Tale tells the story of Leontes who has everything: Power, wealth and a loving family. However, when he is struck with a sudden, all-consuming jealousy, he lashes out, losing his wife, his son and abandoning his daughter in distant Bohemia. Sixteen years later, Leontes’ daughter falls in love with a young visitor, setting in motion a chain of events that in the end offers Leontes something that most people never get: a second chance. The Winter’s Tale is one of Shakespeare’s most beautiful plays – a dazzling and compassionate saga known for its masterful blending of the tragic, comic and spiritual.

Date: December 2 through December 31 (afternoon and evening performances available)
Location:CenterStage, Gottwald Theatre (600 E. Grace Street)
Cost: General Admission $18 – $36; student & RAPT Members $15; groups (10 or more) $18

The Modlin Center: Danu – Christmas in Ireland

Acclaimed Irish ensemble Danú celebrates a traditional Irish Christmas with the heart-warming An Nollaig in Éirinn. Celtic music lovers around the globe continue to be thrilled by the ensemble’s virtuoso players on fiddle, flutes, button accordion, percussion, and the gorgeous voice of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. Winner of major awards from the BBC and Irish Music Magazine, Danú returns to the Modlin Center with dancers and other special guests. Bring the entire family to enjoy this glorious Irish celebration of Christmas.

Date: December 3 (7:30pm)
Location: 28 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond
Cost: Adults $34; seniors $24; kids $17; UR employees $26; UR students $8

Richmond Symphony: Handel’s Messiah

Don’t miss the Richmond Symphony’s annual presentation of a true musical masterpiece.

Date: December 3 (8pm)
Location: CenterStage — Carpenter Theatre (600 E. Grace Street)
Cost: $31.40-$48.15

Richmond Symphony: Genworth Financial Symphony Pops – Let it Snow!

Richmond’s holiday tradition returns to the Carpenter Theatre! Celebrate the season with great holiday music alongside friends and loved ones.

Date: December 4 (8pm) and December 5 (3pm)
Location: CenterStage — Carpenter Theatre (600 E. Grace Street)
Cost: $17-$77

Richmond Philharmonic: Home for the Holidays

Come see the lights downtown and join the Philharmonic for music celebrating the holidays. It’s a concert the whole family is sure to enjoy!

Date: December 6 (7pm)
Location: The Atrium of The James Center 
(1051 E. Cary Street)
Cost: Free (but donations are welcome)

The Irish Tenors Christmas with the Richmond Symphony

The Irish Tenors – Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Karl Scully – bring their holiday concert of traditional carols and classic Irish ballads to the Landmark Theater for a performance with the Richmond Symphony.

Date: December 8 (7:30pm)
Location: Landmark Theater (6 N. Laurel Street)
Cost: $44-$64

SPARC: The 12 Elves of Christmas

Celebrate the holiday season with this family-friendly, one-hour musical about Santa and his off-beat elves.

Date: December 9 through 12 and December 18 through 19 (afternoon and evening performances available)
Location: 2106-A North Hamilton Street
Cost: $8

Richmond Ballet: The Nutcracker

Richmond Ballet invites families to join Clara on her journey through a holiday dream! Our production of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic winter fantasy is sure to sweep you away along with the twirling snowflakes, high-flying sleigh, adorable marzipan lambs, dancing 50-foot Chinese dragon, the audience-favorite dancing bear, and the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy in her magical Land of Sweets.

Date: December 10 through December 23 (afternoon and evening performances available)
Location: Richmond Centerstage (600 E. Grace Street )
Cost: $20.95-$139.20

Long Lay The World

It is the Christmas holiday season, yet for the indie rock band The Easies it is not all about celebration and joy. Journey with them and their friends as all are confronted with a change that will forever impact their futures. (Note: this play is recommended for middle school age and above.)

Date: December 17, 18 (7:30pm) 19 (75:30pm; childcare available at this performance)
Location: Hope Church (12445 Patterson Avenue)
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors

A Christmas Carol for Two Actors

See, it’s A Christmas Carol performed by two actors.

Date: December 20 through December 22 (8pm performances)
Location: Gottwald Playhouse at Richmond CenterStage (600 E. Grace Street)
Cost: $15-$36

Know of any other fabulous productions happening this holiday season? Leave the details in the comments or email us at info@rvanews.com.

November 28, 2010 8:34 PM 0