Sugar Plum fairies, comedy, dance, and more set to sparkle onstage: Holiday Events Guide 2024

Entertainment as varied as "The Nutcracker" classical ballet to Portland's own Jinkx Monsoon returning for a 2024 edition of "The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show" is set to brighten Portland-area stages this holiday season.

From family-friendly frolics to staples like "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life," audiences will be served a generous meal of old favorites and new treats. Some ticket discounts are available, through the Arts For All program, lower-priced preview performances, and other options.

Here's a look at some of the shows coming to venues across the metro area.

"A Christmas Story, The Musical"

Who can forget the leg lamp, triple-dog dares to stick your tongue to a flagpole in wintry weather, and other highlights of the 1983 movie, "A Christmas Story"? That much-loved story gets the musical treatment in this show that's set in the 1940s and again tells the tale of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his yearning for a Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model BB gun. Joseph Robinette wrote the book, and the score is by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ("Dear Evan Hansen," "Only Murders in the Building").

"Liberace & Liza: Holiday at the Mansion (A Tribute)"

The show that is for, as the website says, for anyone who likes sequins, show tunes, Las Vegas, and "laughing until your face hurts" is back for another go-round. It's written by and stars David Saffert and Jillian Snow performing their takes on two larger-than-life showbiz legends.

"The Hip Hop Nutcracker"

Back for another holiday appearance is the touring show that puts a new spin on the Tchaikovsky original, with contemporary dance, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow taking the audience through the story of Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, with their adventures set not in 19th-century Germany, but in modern New York City.

"The Nutcracker"

Oregon International Ballet Academy brings back its version of the holiday dance classic, featuring student dancers and guest artists.

"A Christmas Carol"

This musical version of Charles Dickens' timeless tale of how the cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge turns into a human figgy pudding of holiday warmth, is back for another year. Anna Lackaff and Rick Lombardo composed the original music, and Lombardo adapted the story and wrote the lyrics.

"Five Golden Rings"

What's being billed as "A Greeting Card Channel Holiday Musical" is bound to sound pretty darn familiar to fans of the Hallmark Channel's annual "Countdown to Christmas" extravaganza. Just get a load of the plot: "Holly, a business executive from the big city, gets snowed in at a quaint Vermont bed and breakfast for Christmas, and begins to fall for its rugged yet charming owner." Described as "an affectionate parody of America's favorite greeting card channel" features a book by Stephen Garvey, and music and lyrics by David Abbinanti.

"Black Nativity"

Poet and playwright Langston Hughes' reimagination of the Nativity story combines dance, poetry, scripture and song. PassinArt, a Portland-based Black theater company, stages the show. The cast of this year's production includes veterans from previous seasons, along with Kenisha Blackman, a Seattle-based "America's Got Talent" finalist.

"It's a Wonderful Life"

When director Frank Capra's movie was first released in 1946, it was a box-office disappointment, and many critics weren't impressed by the story of George Bailey, a man who, on the edge of despair, is visited by an angel who shows him what an impact George has had on his town and his loved ones. But later generations embraced the movie, which gets a musical treatment in this production, with book and additional lyrics by Janet Mouser, music and additional lyrics by Michael Allen Harrison, Julianne Johnson, and lyrics by Alan Berg.

"Little Shop of Horrors"

The low-budget movie-turned mega-hit musical arrives for the holidays, with nerdy hero Seymour contending with a plant that has carnivorous appetites – and a pretty impressive singing style. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken ("The Little Mermaid") composed the musical score.

"Firebird" & "Petrushka"

For Thanksgiving weekend, Portland Ballet presents John Clifford's retelling of Michel Fokine's "The Firebird," with a score by Igor Stravinsky. Tom Gold's "Petrushka" adds a bit of local flavor to the classic. According to the Portland Ballet website: "Set at the Heathman Hotel in the glamorous 1950s, Petrushka loves a dazzling lounge singer, who happens to love a dashing doorman."

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Northwest Children's Theater brings back this musical adaptation of the 1964 animated classic about the reindeer who feels like a misfit because of his shiny nose. But we know he turns out to be the hero of the holiday. In addition to the heartwarming story, the production also includes songs by Johnny Marks that have become seasonal staples. Have a holly jolly Christmas!

"G.I. Holiday Jukebox"

The Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre presents what's described as a salute to the Stage Door Canteen "G.I. Holiday Jukebox" is a salute to the World War II Stage Door Canteen, and "features four fictitious Hollywood stars who have put together a string of 1940s hits and holiday music to entertain 'the boys' at the front. Filled with great standards, holiday music and comedy, this musical is holiday in both spirit and song."

"A John Waters Christmas"

One of the more surprising holiday traditions are the annual appearances by filmmaker John Waters, also known as "The Pope of Trash." What to expect this year? As the Aladdin website says: "Once again Waters is touring the country on his slippery sled of sewage with his comedy bag of tricks, handing out filthy sticks and stones to bad little nonbinary boys and girls and everybody in between and beyond." Fans of Waters' films (which include "Pink Flamingos") may recognize this line: "We're all getting cha-cha heels this year!"

"NOT-Cracker"

What, another production of "The Nutcracker"? Nope. According to the dance company and school Open Space's website description, "NOT-Cracker" is "Portland's very own holiday spectacular, set in the city we all love. 'NOT-Cracker' tells the tale of Ted, an unfortunate friend who thinks they can't dance-until they are swept up by a cast of wilding characters. Join Ted as they enter 'NOT-Cracker's' colorful world, where dance finds us all!"

George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker"

The ultimate holiday tradition returns, with Oregon Ballet Theatre's production of the enduring classic that features George Balanchine's choreography, Tchaikovsky's music, the Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing snowflakes, mice, toy soldiers, Mother Ginger, and more.

"It's a Tony Starlight Christmas"

The Portland favorite brings his seasonal show to the Reser, where he will croon tunes in a format inspired by vintage holiday TV specials starring the likes of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Joining in the fun are The All-Star Horns and guest vocalists Barbara Ayars and Thea Enos.

Grand Kyiv Ballet: "The Snow Queen"

The Grand Kyiv Ballet, which is now based in Seattle after being evacuated from Ukraine at the start of the war there, brings its new ballet, "The Snow Queen," to Portland. The work is based on the 1844 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, and is set to music by Grieg, Massenet, Mozart and Vivaldi.

"The Midwinter Revels: Norse Fire"

This year, the musical celebration tells a story featuring the music, story and dance of northern Europe. Here's what the website says: "When Astrid discovers her grandfather is close to death, she and the Norse God Jólnir set off on a journey through time and space to save him. But perhaps it isn't Grandfather she needs to save."

"ZooZoo"

Imago brings back its revue that features "persnickety penguins, hippos, polar bears, an acrobatic grub, baby birds" and more for family-friendly holiday fun.

"A Nutcracker Tea"

A holiday tradition since 2004, this production offers an abridged version of the beloved ballet, featuring Northwest Dance Theatre performers, guest dancers, sets and costumes. After each performance, attendees may enjoy complimentary tea and cookies.

"Ari Shapiro: Thank You For Listening"

Ari Shapiro, the NPR host who grew up in the Portland area and has performed with Pink Martini, returns with a new cabaret solo show, which adapts stories from Shapiro's memoir, "The Best Strangers in the World," and offers "an evening of stories and songs about the power of listening to bridge divides."

"A Drunk Christmas Carol"

In a "Drunk History"-style take on Charles Dickens' classic, a professional actor downs some whiskey, then tries to perform the role of Scrooge. Meanwhile, professional improvisers chime in to try to stick to the story, while audience suggestions and a "Wheel of Fate" complicate that task. Also on the bill: an ugly sweater contest, holiday cocktails, gift giveaways and a raffle. Recommended for attendees ages 18 and up.

"Tomáseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas"

A show that, according to the description, "recreates the joy and innocence of a night before Christmas in a remote farmhouse in the parish of Teampall an Ghleanntáin in the west of Ireland — when the neighboring families gather around the fire to grace the wintry night with the haunting melodies of traditional Irish Christmas carols to raise the rafters with the joy of their music, knock sparks off the flagstone floor with traditional dances, and fill the night with the laughter of their stories."

"We Call It Ballet: Sleeping Beauty in a Dazzling Light Show"

Ballet and technology combine for a performance featuring dancers in glow-in-the-dark costumes, amid "a kaleidoscope of colors."

"The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show"

The annual holiday extravaganza from Portland's own Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme returns for another year of music, comedy and more. As Monsoon said in press materials, "I seriously can't believe it's the holidays again already. Who has time to plan festivities when the world is bananas? What are we supposed to do when everything feels so chaotic? Well, what DeLa and I do is put on a show. The holidays are upon us whether we like it or not but the Jinkx and DeLa team are well equipped to bring you the holiday cheer and warm feeling of community we all need in the harsh winter months."

"A Magical Cirque Christmas"

A holiday variety show that's described as being "full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages," as world-class entertainers perform to music of the season.

Stories by Kristi Turnquist

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