St. Louis holiday theater includes the circus, the Grinch and 'The Nutcracker'
St. Louis stages light up with dance, remixes of old favorites and non-holiday fare.
'Christmas Carol: The Remix'
By now, we all know the story of "A Christmas Carol" and how miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve. He wakes up a new man, ready to spread Christmas cheer. No matter if you're looking at the Muppet version or a classic rendition, the show is decidedly devoid of funk, rap or hip-hop. "Christmas Carol: The Remix," by St. Louis Shakespeare, fixes that by remixing the classic tale into a reggae, rock, hip-hop and rap-fueled show that packs just as much Christmas spirit as the original but with a lot more rhythm and groove.
'A Drag Queen Christmas'
"A Drag Queen Christmas" is officially 10 and the longest-running drag tour in the U.S. This event will be hosted by Nina West and will feature a slew of drag queens including Plane Jane, Q, Roxxy Andrews, Shea Coulee and Trinity.
'The Nutcracker' and 'The Nutcracker: A Shorter Tale'
Gen Horiuchi is artistic director for St. Louis Ballet, but before that he danced with the New York City Ballet. While he was there, he danced "The Nutcracker" many times and used the show as a jumping off point for creating his own version of "The Nutcracker" that the St. Louis Ballet has been performing for decades. They even do a condensed version with narration for young kids and schools called "The Nutcracker: A Shorter Tale" that runs 1 hour and 10 minutes.
'Million Dollar Quartet Christmas'
Stages and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis join forces to present "Million Dollar Quartet Christmas," which tells about the time Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins recorded together at Sun Studios.
'Bell Book and Candle'
If you want a little paranormal in your holiday season look no further than the classic "Bell, Book and Candle" at Stray Dog, about a witch in 1950s New York who has to cast a love spell to thwart a rival. The man she spellbinds is publisher Shep Henderson, and when witch Gillian starts to have feelings for him, too, things get a little complicated.
'Somebody in BumF*ck Montana, Loves Me'
If you can do with something non-holiday related, check out the coming-of-age play "Somebody in BumF*ck Montana, Loves Me" about two young adults in rural Montana trying to change their futures.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
A cirque-style circus set to holiday-style music brings acrobats, aerialists, daredevils, jugglers and comedic acts to the stage of the Family Arena for a family-friendly fantasy extravaganza.
The Illusionists: 'Magic of the Holidays'When:Where: Fox Theater, 527 North Grand BoulevardHow much: $39.50-$99.50More info: fabulousfox.com/events/detail/illusionistsReally celebrate the magic of the holidays at this show featuring some of the world's top illusionists.
'Nutcracker and the World's Fair'
"The Nutcracker and the World's Fair" is exactly what it sounds like, a new take on the classic "Nutcracker" ballet that brings in elements of the 1904 World's Fair that was here in St. Louis. Ballet 314 presents this 90-minute version of the Tchaikovsky classic and also offers a picnic with meet-and-greet before matinees and several sensory-friendly performances.
'moSTLy Holidays'
Sip on some free hot cocoa and enjoy tap performances to some of your favorite holiday songs at this show featuring the STL Rhythm Collaborative.
'The Sex Diaries of an Ex-Catholic'
Sex and religion collide in this show about a woman who begins to doubt her Catholic faith and seeks solace in casual sex. But is it really offering her anything?
'Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker'
St. Louis Dance Theatre, formerly Big Muddy Dance Company, is doing a new version of "The Nutcracker" by taking the work of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and choreographing a modern-contemporary dance to it. Musicians Ellington and Strayhorn collaborated on "The Nutcracker Suite," a jazzy interpretation of Tchaikovsky's original score. The dance draws inspiration from Stayhorn's life, the music and St. Louis' own Gaslight Square.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Cirque du Soleil took the circus out of the tent and onto the stage years ago and has become a powerhouse of dazzle ever since. Its holiday show offers the circus stunts you know (juggling, silks, acrobatics) combined with holiday themes you love, with just a touch of French circus pizazz.
'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical'
This stage show brings the TV special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" to life with the same beloved characters including the Abominable Snow Monster, Yukon Cornelius, Hermey the Elf, and, of course, Rudolph. In 1964, NBC first aired a stop-motion puppet version of "Rudolph" that became a holiday classic and is the longest-running Christmas special of all time.
'Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet'
The Nutcracker is a holiday staple, and this version will not just feature Tchaikovsky's original score, but also puppets and acrobatics. The story follows Clara, a girl who gets a nutcracker on Christmas Eve, and then goes on an adventure with it when it comes to life.
'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'
Christmas' green anti-hero is back. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is based on the Dr. Seuss picture book of the same name. In it, a Grinch, who lives above the town of Whoville decides to wreck Christmas with his dog Max. The book became a cartoon and now a stage show featuring the songs "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas."
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