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LIVE HOLIDAY SHOWS ARE BACK Bay Area venues welcome audiences for dance, theater and music performances
After a year of pandemic sheltering, Bay Area holiday shows are returning to live stages. Here’s a partial rundown of dance, theater and music productions both live and streaming.
Before headed to any live production, be sure to check the venue or performer’s website for COVID-19 safety requirements.
Nutcrackers
DIABLO BALLET » Presents the full-length production “The Nutcracker Suite,” adapted from the classic ballet by Julia Adam. Available for streaming Friday through Dec. 12; $40 per household; diabloballet.org.
“MARK FOEHRINGER’S NUTCRACKER SWEETS” » A 50-minute version of “The Nutcracker” designed for families with young children. Saturday through Dec. 19; Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, San Francisco; $22.50-$44.50; 415-3457575, mfdpsf.org.
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET » Performs Helgi Tomasson’s acclaimed adaptation of the classic. Dec. 1030; War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco; $19-$449; 415-865-2000, www.sfballet.org.
VALLEY DANCE THEATRE » Presents its 40th anniversary full-length production of the classic. Eight performances, available both evening and matinee, Dec. 11-18; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $25-$45; 925-373-6800, www.valleydancetheatre.com.
SAN JOSE DANCE THEATRE » Presents two versions of the classic, a full-length production and a shorter “Once Upon a Nutcracker” for young audiences. Main production Dec. 10-12 and 17-19 ($20-$95); “Once Upon a Nutcracker” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 17 ($11-$20); all performances at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts; 408-286-9905, www.sjdt.org.
OAKLAND BALLET » Presents Graham Lustig’s 2000 adaptation of the classic ballet. 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 18, 1 p.m. Dec. 19; Paramount Theatre, Oakland; $24$99; 800-745-3000, oaklandballet.org.
NEW BALLET » Presents “The San Jose Nutcracker,” set in 1905 in Santa Clara Valley, as well as an abbreviated one-act version for young dance fans. Main production 2 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 21-22 ($25-$95); “My Very First Nutcracker” 11 a.m. Dec. 18-19, 2122 ($17-$60); all performances at California Theatre, San Jose; 408-792-4111, www.newballet.com.
Other dance
SMUIN CONTEMPORARY BALLET » The company’s popular “Christmas Ballet,” featuring works from sumptuous to sassy, is once again touring the Bay Area. Dec. 10-11 at Sunset Center, Carmel, Dec. 1626 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco; also streaming through Christmas Day; $25$99; www.smuinballet.org.
ODC/DANCE COMPANY » The troupe presents its beloved holiday show “The Velveteen Rabbit,” based on the popular kids book, as a live and on demand production. Saturday through Dec. 12; live shows at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theatre, San Francisco; $25-$75; odc.dance.
Theater
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL” » Award-winning Broadway revival of the classic Dickens tale. Through Dec. 26; Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco; $56-$256 (subject to change); 888-746-1799, www.broadwaysf.com.
“GREAT EXPECTATIONS” » Stage adaptation of the Dickens novel. Through Dec. 12; San Jose Stage; $32-$72; 408-283-7142, www.thestage.org.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY” » Presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, a novel adaptation of the beloved holiday movie, complete with old-fashioned radio sound effects. In previews through Friday, main run Saturday through Dec. 26; Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto; $25-$95; 650463-1960, theatreworks.org.
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY” » Town Hall Theatre Company utilizes some creative casting choices in its production of the holiday show based on the classic movie, including Sarah Negrón as George Bailey. In previews through Friday, main run Saturday through Dec. 19; Town Hall Theatre, Lafayette; $18-$35; www.townhalltheatre.com.
“IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS” » Classic musical presented by Children’s Musical Theatre Marquee division. Friday through Dec. 12; Montgomery Theatre, San Jose; $35; www.cmtsj.org.
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL” » Center Repertory Company’s long-running and acclaimed adaptation of the Dickens story returns. Dec. 9-23; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $29-$43; 925-9437469, www.centerrep.org.
UNIQUE DERIQUE PRESENTS “FOO LA LA: A HOLIDAY TUNE UP” » The popular clown/entertainer presents his family-friendly holiday show. Dec. 23-Jan.
2; The Marsh Berkeley; $10-$100; 415-282-3055, themarsh.org.
Music / classical
“JOY TO THE WORLD: A CHRISTMAS MUSICAL JOURNEY” » Damien Sneed blends classical, jazz and gospel tunes. 8 p.m. Friday, Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley; $29-$68, 510-642-9988, www.calperformances. org; 3 p.m. Sunday; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $20-$98; 925-373-6800, www.livermorearts.org.
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY >> Holiday programming includes two “Messiah” performances (Dec. 10-11), “Holiday Gaiety” with Peaches Christ and friends (Dec. 17), “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” starring Alan Cumming (Dec. 21), and much more. Wednesday through Dec. 23; Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco; $15-$229; 415-864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org.
PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA >> Presents Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” featuring soprano Lydia Teuscher, contralto Avery Amereau and more. 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Bing Hall, Stanford University; 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 4 p.m. Dec. 12, First Congregational Church, Berkeley; $15-$120; www.philharmonia.org.
VALLEY CONCERT CHORALE >> Presents the holiday show “Carols, Glorias and Lullabies,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11; First Presbyterian Church, Livermore; $10-$30; 925866-4003, www.valleyconcertchorale.org.
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS >> Presents “Holigays Are Here … Again!” 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Sydney Goldstein Theater, San Francisco; $25-$110; 415-392-4400, www.sfgmc.org.
“CAROLS IN THE CALIFORNIA” >> The audience is encouraged to sing along in this annual holiday show presented by Symphony San Jose’s brass ensemble and Chorale. 7 p.m. Dec. 11, California Theatre, San Jose; $26-$36; 408-286-2600, www.symphonysanjose.org.
RAGAZZI BOYS CHORUS >> Presents the holiday concert “Mysteries and Miracles,” featuring seasonal classics and contemporary works. 2 p.m. Saturday, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Redwood City; $30; 4 p.m. Dec. 12, Old First Church, San Francisco; $25 live, $20 livestream; 650-342-8785, www.ragazzi.org.
CHANTICLEER >> The Bay Area men’s chorus presents its renowned holiday show “A Chanticleer Christmas” throughout the Bay Area. Dec. 12-23 in Oakland, Berkeley, Petaluma, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Carmel; $35-$79; www.chanticleer.org.
AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS >> Presents two holiday programs; “Christmas Concerto” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; and Handel’s “Messiah,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-17; all performances at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; $25-$125; www.americanbach.org.
THE CHORAL PROJECT >> The chorus teams with San Jose Chamber Orchestra for “Winter’s Gifts: Stars”; 5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; Mission Santa Clara at Santa Clara University; $15-$40; 408-357-4140, www.wintersgifts. com.
Jazz / pop / rock
PINK MARTINI >> The popular jazz/pop/classical crossover band brings its holiday show to the Bay Area. Today through Sunday, SFJazz Center, San Francisco; $65$175; www.sfjazz.org; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $20-$95; 925-373-6800, livermorearts. org.
COOL YULE >> Concert of a wide range of classic holiday tunes presented by San Jose State University Jazz Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Hammer Theatre Center, San Jose; $29; 408-924-8501, hammertheatre.com.
MARIACHI SOL DE MEXICO >> The acclaimed 13-member mariachi band presents “A Merry-Achi Christmas,” featuring holiday songs from the U.S. and Mexico. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11; Hammer Theatre Center, San Jose; $35-$45; also available via livestreaming, $15. Also 8 p.m. Dec. 12 as part of the San Francisco Symphony holiday lineup; Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco; $20-$175; 415-864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org.
KITKA >> The Bay Area women’s vocal ensemble presents its annual holiday show “Wintersongs,” featuring songs from a wide variety of Eastern European ethnic and spiritual traditions. 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 11; Freight & Salvage, Berkeley; $30-$50; 510-644-2020, thefreight.org.
SAN JOSE WIND SYMPHONY >> Presents “A Holiday Gift for You,” featuring a wide variety of seasonal songs; 3 p.m. Dec. 12; McAfee Performing Arts Center, Saratoga; free but advance tickets required; www.sjws.org.
KURT ELLING >> The Grammy-winning jazz singer performs a holiday concert. 8 p.m. Dec. 14; Freight & Salvage, Berkeley; $20-$40; 510-644-2020, thefreight. org.
WINDHAM HILL WINTER SOLSTICE CONCERT >> The seasonal concert featuring Windham Hill label artists celebrates its 35th year. This year’s lineup features Barbara Higbie, Todd Boston and Mia Pixley. 8 p.m. Dec. 17, Freight & Salvage, Berkeley; $40-$55; 510-644-2020, thefreight.org; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga; $58-$64; montalvoarts.org.
NOCHEBUENA, CHRISTMAS EVE IN MEXICO >> A touring holiday show featuring Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $20-$98; 925373-6800, livermorearts.org.
DAVE KOZ AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR >> The smooth jazz saxophonist performs with guitarist Jonathan Butler, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Richard Elliot and singer Rebecca Jade. 8 p.m. Dec. 23; San Jose Civic Auditorium; $57.50-$97.50; ticketmaster.com.