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Over the a long time, Charlotte’s vacation arts traditions have change into as hardened because the legendary fruitcake that floats amongst relations in comedian lore. Repertoire modifications a bit. Organizations might realign: This yr, as an alternative of the Singing Christmas Tree and “Magic of Christmas” performing individually, they are going to take boughs collectively.
However teams principally recycle well-loved tasks. They know audiences need a heat, fuzzy feeling of familiarity on the finish of a troubling yr. They notice a profitable run of “The Nutcracker” or “The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical” will bankroll extra adventurous however less-attended programming throughout the remainder of the season.
So Christmas has a “best hits” feeling yearly. I’m not counting stuff like “Jersey Boys,” which rolls via Ovens Auditorium for a number of nights in December. I’m considering of performs, dance and concert events devoted particularly to the spirit of the season, sacred or secular. There are greater than ever this yr, and also you’ll discover them right here.
Theater
Theatre Charlotte has paid trustworthy homage to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” for 13 years; the present model comes from Julius Arthur Leonard and runs Dec. 6-15 at 501 Queens Rd. Particulars: 704-376-3777 or theatrecharlotte.org.
Porch Productions then offers us the identical set of characters in “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” with songs by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. It’s at McGlohon Theater in Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org or Porch’s Facebook page.
Youngsters’s Theatre of Charlotte discovered an sudden hit when it added songs to a beloved ebook three years in the past. “The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical” introduces us to the Herdman household and their city, which learns kindness and understanding can persuade egocentric, misunderstood youngsters to share within the vacation spirit. Nov. 29-Dec. 29 at ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St. 704-973-2828 or ctcharlotte.org.
Ravenous Artist Productions now does one present a yr, however it’s memorable: “The Delivery,” a mixture of dramatic efficiency, dance and stay music that adapts Frederick Buechner’s writings to inform the Christmas story. It runs Dec. 18-21 at Duke Power Theater in Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. blumenthalarts.org.
Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte makes its semi-raunchy ritual go to to Armadillo Acres, the Texas locale of “The Nice American Trailer Park Christmas Musical.” Songs resembling “My Christmas Tin Toy Boy” and “Christmas in My Cell House” get dropped among the many cat-fightin’ and chair-throwin’. Dec. Three-22 at Hadley Theatre, 2132 Radcliffe Ave. 704-342-2251 or atcharlotte.org.
“It’s a Fantastic Life” struggled on the field workplace in 1946; postwar America wasn’t prepared for a darkish if uplifting movie a few suicidal man who learns the world would have been worse had he by no means lived. Since then, it’s been warmly obtained, and Matthews Playhouse does a theatrical adaptation Dec. 13-22 at 100 McDowell St. East. 704-846-8343 or matthewsplayhouse.com.
Davidson Group Gamers offers us a brand new slant on Dickens in “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Pageant” Dec. 5-22 at Armour Road Theatre, 307 Armour St. Playwright Tom Mula seems to be on the different half of the agency of Scrooge and Marley, who has to save lots of his previous enterprise companion if he’s to flee his personal everlasting torment. 704-892-7953; davidsoncommunityplayers.org.
Dance
Caroline Calouche & Co. makes an annual occasion of “Clara’s Journey: A Cirque and Dance Nutcracker Story.” It follows Clara to a celebration the place she breaks an ankle and goes residence to dream of fantastical issues. Tchaikovsky’s music evokes the motion, each earthbound and aerial, Dec. 13-22 at Sales space Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000 or carolinecalouche.org.
Sadly, “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” is down to 2 performances on Dec. 1 at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. You shouldn’t miss what could also be your final likelihood to see lovers return in time to the second her mother and father met in a 1980s membership. Versatile hip-hop dancers, a stay DJ, an onstage electrical violinist and Tchaikovsky’s rating intermingle. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Charlotte Ballet now does 19 performances of choreographer Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s “The Nutcracker,” this yr from Dec. 6-23 at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. As typical, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will play stay music. 704-372-1000 or charlotteballet.org.
Charlotte Youth Ballet has introduced “The Nutcracker” for 38 years with choreography by founder Homosexual Porter and her daughter, Bridget Younger. It runs Dec. 6-Eight at Halton Theatre, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., with $10 preview performances for colleges and seniors on the morning of the 6th. charlotteyouthballet.org.
The perennially touring Moscow Ballet dubs its model “The Nice Russian Nutcracker.” It incorporates components from Russian folklore, provides a message of common concord (together with a Dove of Peace) and could be seen at Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., on Dec. 29. Nutcracker.com.
When ‘Messiah’ comes
The Charlotte Symphony, 4 soloists and Charlotte Grasp Chorale staff up Dec. 6-7 for all three components of “Messiah” Dec. 6-7 at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. Patrick Dupre Quigley will conduct, and counter-tenor Doug Dodson will sing the solos typically given to an alto. 704-972-2000 or charlottesymphony.org.
Charlotte Music Membership has carried out the Christmas portion of “Messiah” (and the “Hallelujah” refrain) with 4 soloists, a small orchestra and a volunteer refrain for 67 years. The free live performance is Dec. Eight at Three p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St.; donations present music scholarships for college kids. You’ll discover the CMC most simply on Facebook.
Different choral music
The 16 voices of Caritas A Cappella Ensemble carry out music starting from carols to lullabies to a hymn by Benjamin Britten and motets by Francis Poulenc. Concert events start at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Windfall Rd., and seven p.m. Dec. Eight in Myers Park United Methodist Church’s new chapel, 1501 Queens Rd. 704-372-1000 or CaritasACappella.org.
This yr, the free live performance by the Chancel Choir of Windfall United Methodist Church presents J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D and Orchestral Suite No. Three and Ruth Watson Henderson’s Magnificat. Adam Ward will direct the orchestra and refrain, accompanied by Andrew Pester, Dec. Eight at 7 p.m. at 2810 Windfall Rd. Donations are welcomed. providenceumc.org/music.
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra’s “Christmas Extravaganza” presents soprano Samantha Duncan, baritone Zach Hugo, Charlotte Metropolis Ballet, the Havilah Dancers, Vacation Singers and the mixed choirs of South Mecklenburg, Butler and Windfall excessive colleges. It’s at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 704-330-6534 or charlottecivicorchestra.org.
Vox, the semi-professional refrain of Firebird Arts Alliance, does its annual “Charlotte Lesson & Carols from St. John’s” live performance Dec. Three at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane. WDAV will broadcast the present, which options Younger Voices of the Carolinas, the Rick Bean Trio, organist Monty Bennett, brass and percussion. Voxfirebird.org.
Carolina Professional Musica’s “Christmas at St. Mary’s” could be the gentlest of native musical choices on the holidays: tunes from medieval and Renaissance instances (performed in interval apparel), readings for the season, carols for all to sing. Bob Sweeten, Max on “The Bob and Sheri Present,” tells the Christmas story. See it Dec. 14 at St. Mary’s Chapel, 1129 E. Third St. carolinapromusica.org.
The choral group Renaissance performs its annual “Christmas within the Metropolis” live performance Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place. This time the group shares the stage with Younger Voices of the Carolinas. Singers-renaissance.org.
Vox comes again with a free live performance Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. titled “Emmanuel: A Christmas Competition.” It presents jazzy preparations of vacation favorites by vocalist Daybreak Anthony, the Rick Bean Trio and choirs from Sharon Presbyterian and SouthPark church buildings. (Sure, a few of them can be sing-alongs.) The present’s at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Rd. Voxfirebird.org.
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra now does 10 performances of “Magic of Christmas” Dec. 13-22 at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St., with Christopher James Lees conducting. The large information this yr? Carolina Voices’ Singing Christmas Tree will be part of the CSO. Count on the viewers to sing alongside, Santa to look and “snow” to descend. 704-972-2000 or charlottesymphony.org.
Every part else
Just about each touring artist who lands in Charlotte between Thanksgiving and December (and plenty of locals) will put a vacation spin on his or her present. We’re going to supply a easy chronological checklist. Discover at leisure, if you wish to know extra.
Nov. 29: “A Motown Christmas,” McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Nov. 30: “Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas,” McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. Three: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox presents “A Very Postmodern Christmas,” Knight Theater, 430 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. four: Jazz artists Noel Friedline and Maria Howell in “Noel and Maria: House for the Holidays” at McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 6: “Vacation Jazz, that includes Al Robust” Bechtler Museum of Fashionable Artwork, 420 S. Tryon St., bechtler.org.
Dec. 7: “Gina Robinson’s Gospel Christmas Profit Live performance,” Knight Gallery, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 7: “Tosco Music Vacation Occasion,” McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 7: “Trans-Siberian Orchestra Presents Christmas Eve and Different Tales.” Spectrum Heart, 333 E. Commerce St. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Dec. 10: “Robert Earl Eager Presents Countdown to Christmas,” Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 12: “Dave Barnes Presents a Very Merry Christmas With Particular Company,” McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 13: “Piano Evening: The Music of Vince Guaraldi,” JazzArts Charlotte, McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. thejazzarts.org.
Dec. 13: “The Hyperlink Deck the Corridor Ball Starring Rob Thomas and Ingrid Michaelson,” Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-335-3100 or boplex.com.
Dec. 17: “Lindsey Stirling: Hotter within the Winter Christmas Tour,” Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-335-3100 or boplex.com.
Dec. 19: “Rudolph the Pink-Nosed Reindeer,” Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-335-3100 or boplex.com.
Dec. 20-22: “Cirque Goals Holidaze,” Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-335-3100 or boplex.com.
Dec. 20-21: The musical revue “A Soulful Noel,” McGlohon Theater, Spirit Sq., 345 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 27: “A Charlie Brown Christmas Dwell on Stage,” Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-335-3100 or boplex.com.
Dec. 28: “Cirque de Noël.” Charlotte Symphony and Cirque de la Symphonie, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-972-2000 or charlottesymphony.org.
Dec. 28: “Queen Metropolis Improv Room: New 12 months’s Eve,” Stage Door Theater, 155 N. School St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 29: “Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas,” Sales space Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000 or blumenthalarts.org.
Dec. 31: “New 12 months’s Eve Celebration.” Charlotte Symphony with pianist Ray Ushikubo, Belk Theater. 130 N. Tryon St. 704-372-1000 or charlottesymphony.org.
This story is a part of an Observer underwriting challenge with the Thrive Marketing campaign for the Arts, supporting arts journalism in Charlotte.
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