Music, dance and stage put happy in holidays
Lots of ‘Nutcracker,’ a splash of ‘Charlie Brown’ and more
In terms of the arts, the holidays are pretty much here.
To help plan your patronage, here’s a guide to some of the offerings in the weeks ahead:
Ballet
“The Nutcracker”: Quenedit Dance Theatre, a Stone Oak-based company, performs a version of the piece featuring beautifully painted backdrops and a cast of 130 dancers. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, and 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St. $35, ticketmaster. com. Info, 210-535-4165; queneditdance.org. “The Nutcracker”: Ballet San Antonio will perform the holiday classic with the San Antonio Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s score live. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23-24 and Nov. 30Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. Nov. 24- 25 and Dec. 1-2, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $35 to $114 at the box office, by calling 210-2238624 or at tobi.tobincenter.org. Info, 210-404-9641; balletsan antonio.org. “The Nutcracker”: American Midwest Ballet (formerly Ballet Nebraska) will perform with dancers from the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-21, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St. $22 to $99 at artssa.org and ticket master.com. Info, 210-226-2891; artssa.org. Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”: The production features top-flight dancers from Russia and plenty of visual punch, including hand-painted sets. 7 p.m. Dec. 26, and 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 27, Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St. $32.50 to $102.50 at the box office and at ticketmaster
Theater
“All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914”: The Public Theater of San Antonio once again teams up with the Marcsmen men’s a cappella ensemble for this powerful look at the real-life armistice that took place on the front lines during World War I. Preview 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Regular performances 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays from Nov. 23-Dec. 23, Public Theater of San Antonio, San Pedro at Ashby. $10 to $35 for preview; $20 to $30 for regular performances by calling 210-7337258 and at thepublicsa.org.
“Annie”: The much-adored musical returns. It’s about a scrappy orphan whose wish for a family comes true — though not quite the way she wanted — at Christmas. 7:30 p.m. FridaysSaturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 23-Dec. 23, Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg. $18 to $30 by calling 210-2678388 and at woodlawntheatre .org.
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”: The play is a sequel to “Pride and Prejudice” set just a few months into the marriage of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. This time around, Elizabeth’s sister Mary gets a shot at a romance of her own. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 30-Dec. 23, Classic Theatre, 1924 Fredericksburg Road. $18 to $33 by calling 210-589-8450 or at classictheatre.org.
“Boogie Woogie Christmas”: The latest original revue from Shawn Kjos weaves together Christmas tunes from the likes of Doris Day, Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. Bar opens at 7 and showtime is 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays from Dec. 1-22, The Harlequin, 2652 Harney Path, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Opening night is pay-what-youcan; tickets to other performances $10-$22. Call 210-2229694 for reservations.
“Santaland Diaries”: The ever-entertaining John Stillwaggon again stars in the stage adaptation of David Sedaris’ hilarious account of a season working as an elf at Macy’s. 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays from Dec. 7-16, Classic Theatre, 1924 Fredericksburg Road. $25 at 210-5898450 or classictheatre.org.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”: Magik Theatre’s reprises its version of the much adored holiday special. 6:30 pm. Dec. 20, 3 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 22; and 2 p.m. Dec. 23-24, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. $15 to $30 at the box office and ticketmaster .com. Info, 210-227-2751; magik theatre.org.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”: The touring production is a live version of the muchadored animated holiday special. 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 22, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. $29.50 to $46.50 and $65 for VIP tickets, including a meet-and-greet with the cast, at the box office, 210-223-8624 or at tobi.tobin center.org.
Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas: The New Orleans-based company that made it to the semifinals of “America's Got Talent” returns to the Tobin Center with its light-oriented holiday show. 7 p.m. Dec. 27, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. $26.50 to $65, at the box office, 210-223-8624 or at tobi.tobincenter.org.
Music
“Messiah” sing-along: The Baroque ensemble Sonido Barroco, the San Antonio Choral Society and the audience team up to perform Handel’s masterpiece. Proceeds will benefit Haven for Hope. 7 p.m. Nov. 24, Incarnate Word Motherhouse Chapel, 4503 Broadway. $25 at ticketbud.com.
“Season of Light”: The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, under the direction of Ryan Garrison, presents its annual holiday concert. 3 p.m. Dec. 9,
H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $8 to $28 at the box office, 210-223-8624 or at tobi.tobincenter.org.
Conspirare Christmas: The Grammy-winning vocal ensemble will be joined by Ruthie Foster and Matt Alber for its holiday program. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $20 at the $75 at the box office, 210223-8624 or at tobi.tobincenter .org.
Holiday Pops: The San Antonio Symphony, led by guest conductor Noam Aviel, will perform holiday music with the Mastersingers, directed by John Silantien. The program includes a sing-along. 8 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $5 to $96 at the box office, 210-223-8624 or at tobi.tobincenter.org. Info, sasymphony.org.
“I Can Tell the World, Let our Love be Heard”: The San Antonio Chamber Choir is joining forces with the San Antonio Brass and Johnson High School’s Cantare for its annual holiday concert. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. $25 at the box office, 210-223-8624 or at tobi.tobincenter.org. Info, sasymphony.org. Info, sachamberchoir.org. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: The holiday tradition blends holiday music with multimedia spectacle. 8 p.m. Dec. 29, Majestic Theatre. $48 to $78 at the box office and ticket master.com. Info, majestic empire.com.