STAGE SET FOR HOLIDAY FUN
From delightful classics to irreverent shows, Hub theaters have it all
Hate “The Nutcracker”? First, man, you've got garlic in your soul. Second, that's fine. A mere four of the shows in our holiday theater roundup have a connection to the Tchaikovsky classic — the Boston Ballet and Jose Mateo productions plus “The Urban Nutcracker” and “The Slutcracker.”
From the traditional to the bawdy, we have something on our list for the nice and naughty.
• “The Nutcracker,” Nov. 24-Dec. 31, Boston Opera House (539 Washington St., bostonoperahouse.com) — This is the big one, the “Citizen Kane” or “Sgt. Pepper's” of
holiday theater. Yes, it's the obvious choice, but for good reason: It's a masterpiece.
“The Nutcracker,” Nov. 25Dec. 10, Cutler Majestic Theatre (219 Tremont St., cutlermajestic.org) — Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre's “Nutcracker” celebrates its 30th anniversary at the Cutler. While it doesn't have the fireworks of Boston Ballet's production, it has as much heart, style and spirit as any production.
“Elf the Musical,”
Nov. 28-Dec. 10, Wang Theatre (270 Tremont St., bochcenter.org) — Buddy gets his very own musical.
But more importantly, coming to Boston in a role he originated on the Broadway production, George Wendt plays Santa!
“The Slutcracker,” Dec. 1-31, Somerville Theatre (55 Davis Square, somervilletheatre.com) — This show is not for traditionalists, and yet it's become a tradition. For a decade, this randy, raunchy burlesque has offered an alternative to the expected. How alternative is it? Well, John
Waters is a big fan.
“Black Nativity,” Dec. 1-17, Paramount Center — Langston Hughes' verse mixes with the Gospel of St. Luke in a celebration filled with dance, song and joy.
The Christmas Revels’ “A Venetian Celebration of the Winter Solstice,” Dec. 8-27, Sanders Theatre (45 Quincy St., Cambridge, boxoffice.harvard.edu) — Constantly reinventing itself, the Revels explores holiday traditions overlooked in the usual fare. The 47th annual edition takes you to Renaissance Venice for a night of music, dance, storytelling and fanfare.
“’Twas the Night Before Christmas,”
Dec. 9-23, Greater Boston Stage Company (formerly Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main St., Stoneham, greater bostonstage.org) — A mouse, an elf and a feisty little girl walk into a bar — sorry, I mean walk into a house that Santa forgot. They aim to get to the bottom of why this house was missed from the list. High jinks and joy ensue.
“Christmas Donkey,” Dec. 9, Oberon/American Repertory Theater (2 Arrow St., Cambridge, americanrepertorytheater.org) — Dominick the Donkey gets his disco groove back. Tony Awardwinner Diane Paulus' “Donkey Show,” a retelling of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” undergoes a holiday makeover, adding a little tinsel and holly to a regular amount of feather boas and roller skaters.
“A Christmas Celtic Sojourn,” Dec. 12-22, various locations — From Boston to New Bedford, WGBH's Brian O'Donovan brings his Celticthemed December party to five locations this year. Check wgbh. org/listen/christmascelticsojourn for location details.
“Urban Nutcracker,” Dec. 1528, Tony Williams Dance Center — Maybe you've had a little too much Russian interference this year. Skip Tchaikovsky and classic ballet and enjoy a production with swing, tap, step, jazz and hip-hop.