It really is the most wonderful time of the year—especially if you love music, the theater and the spirit of the holiday season. The North Central News has put together a list of holiday-themed entertainment options for adults or families to enjoy.
‘White Christmas’
Phoenix Theatre
Nov. 20-Dec. 24
Phoenix Theatre
100 E. McDowell Road
602-254-2151
Based on the beloved holiday film and featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs, this heartwarming musical is the story of two World War II veterans with a successful song-and-dance act. They meet up with a duo of singing and dancing sisters en route to a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by their former army commander. Tickets are $30-$80 plus fees. Visit www.phoenixtheatre.com.
‘Holiday Pops’
Concert Phoenix Symphony
Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd Ave.
602-495-1999
Join The Phoenix Symphony and Phoenix Symphony Chorus for a beloved holiday tradition that features seasonal favorites and the ever-popular holiday sing-along. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18 to $83 plus fees. Visit www.phoenixsymphony.org.
The Polar Express
Phoenix Symphony
1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd Ave.
602-495-1999
Experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a young boy who, on Christmas Eve, boards a powerful magical train headed to the North Pole. As images from the book are projected above the stage, the words on the pages of this Caldecott Medal-winner will come to life through music. Tickets are $11 to $19 plus fees. Visit www.phoenixsymphony.org.
‘A Bloody Mary Christmas’
8 p.m. Dec. 6-21
Space 55 Theater
636 E. Pierce St.
602-663-4032
For the fourth consecutive year, Space 55 presents a holiday musical for people who hate the holidays and musicals. Sun City retirees Blanche, Bertha and Mabel sing, dance and drink themselves silly as they battle a heartless homeowner’s association that tries to evict them from their condo on Christmas Eve. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll pee a little. Need we add that this show isn’t even remotely appropriate for children? Tickets are $15. Shows are Friday and Saturday nights only. Get the in advance online at www.space55.org or at the door.
‘An English Christmas’
Musica Nova
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Central United Methodist Church
1875 N. Central Ave.
This concert features favorite choruses from Handel’s “Messiah,” a suite of carols for choir and soloists, and the poetry of Robert Bridges and St. Luke set in a work called “In Terra Pax” (Peace on Earth). Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 seniors. Ages 17 and younger admitted free with a paid adult. Visit www.musicanovaaz.com for details and to purchase tickets.
‘The Nutcracker’
Ballet Arizona
Dec. 6-24
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd Ave.
602-381-1096
The magic of the holidays comes alive with accompaniment by The Phoenix Symphony. Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they embark on a thrilling adventure full of dancing toys, mischievous mice, waltzing flowers and sparkling snowflakes. Tickets are $25-$158, with discounts for seniors, students, military and groups. Visit www.balletaz.org.
‘A Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail’
Dec. 6-23
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. First St.
602-253-8188, ext. 2
This Phoenix holiday musical tradition has been delighting Valley families since 1995. Join Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood for a celebration of seasonal sharing and caring. Ticket prices start at $18 each, plus fees. Order online at www.vyt.com or call the box office.
‘Peace on Earth’ Concert
The Choirs at Phoenix College
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
St. Francis Xavier Church
4715 N. Central Ave.
This performance is a holiday tradition for Phoenix College. Admission is a suggested donation of $5. Canned foods for the St. Vincent de Paul food bank also will be collected.
‘Christmas…The Magic Continues!’
iTheatre Collaborative
Dec. 6-22
Herberger Theater,
Kax Stage
602-252-8497
This annual musical cabaret will get you ready to celebrate the magic of the holidays. Songs, both old and new, will be sung by some of the Valley’s best voices in the Herberger’s signature cabaret-style setting with drinks and treats at the bar. Tickets are $25 before Nov. 16 and $30 after (plus fees). Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
Frances Smith Cohen’s
‘Snow Queen’
Frances Smith Cohen’s ‘Snow Queen’
Center Dance Ensemble
Dec. 7-22
Herberger Theater,
Stage West
602-252-8497
The Hans Christian Andersen classic set to music by Sergei Prokofiev has become a Valley holiday tradition. Tickets are $27 adults, $22 seniors, $13 students. Or, attend a one-hour abridged version as part of the Lunch Time Theater program, 12:10 p.m. Dec. 13 or 20, and pay only $6 plus fees. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
Christmas Pageant
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Xavier College Preparatory
4710 N. 5th St.
The pageant is the traditional story of the birth of Christ as told through reverent music and dance, and this year’s theme is “Hope Is Born.” The performance is Xavier’s gift to the community, so there will not be a charge for admission.
‘Celebrate the Joy’
ProMusica
4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Camelback Bible Church
3900 E. Stanford Drive
www.pmaz.org
The full orchestra and chorale will be engaged to present the Christmas story, augmented by heart-warming readings, and beautiful music including “Silent Night,” Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium,” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Presented in two acts, this concert also features innovative visual elements, dancers, and audience sing-alongs of traditional favorites. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17.50 for seniors, and $12 for students, and will be available at the door.
Handel’s ‘Messiah’
Phoenix Symphony
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13
Camelback Bible Church
3900 E. Stanford Drive
602-495-1999
The acclaimed and popular “Halleluiah” chorus highlights this spiritual concert. Your favorite holiday tradition continues as Music Director Laureate Michael Christie returns to lead The Phoenix Symphony and Phoenix Symphony Chorus. Tickets are $39 plus fees. Visit www.phoenixsymphony.org.
‘Holidays with Orpheus’
Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Camelback Bible Church,
3900 E. Stanford Drive
602-271-9396
This year’s Holidays with Orpheus concert will feature such classics as “I Saw Three Ships”, “What Child Is This?”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, and “O Holy Night” along with a few rare gems like “Riu, Riu, Chiu” and “The Mummer Song”. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. Visit www.orpheus.org.
‘Feast of Carols’
Arizona Masterworks Chorale
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Faith Lutheran Church
801 E Camelback Road
602-350-8261
The performance features favorite carols in a variety of styles: madrigal, Mozart, and modern. In addition, the group will take the audience on a journey through music history in a sophisticated, entertaining rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” singing each verse in a different musical tradition—imagine “Nine Ladies Dancing” in the style of a 19th Century Viennese waltz. Tickets are $15 (12 and yonger free) and are available in the church office, from a chorale member, and at the door. For more information, call or visit www.arizonamasterworks.com.
‘Spirit of the Season’
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16
Herberger Theater,
Stage West
602-252-8497
Jeffrey Hattrick and Nicole Pesce return to the Herberger stage for their annual holiday season music concert. Tickets are $26-$41 plus fees. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
‘Ceremony of Carols – A Chorale Christmas’
Phoenix Chorale
7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-20
Brophy Chapel
4701 N. Central Ave.
602-253-2224
Featuring festive favorites along with a special performance by the women of the Phoenix Chorale with harpist Tabitha Reist Steiner. The concert also will be performed 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 at Christ Church of the Ascension, 4015 E. Lincoln Drive. Tickets to all concerts are $31 adults, $26 seniors and military, and $15 students, plus $2 in fees. Tickets are $5 more at the door. Visit www.phoenixchorale.org.
‘Sugar Plums and Jingle Bells’
Phoenix Boys Choir
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Camelback Bible Church
3900 E. Stanford Drive
602-264-5328, ext. 21
Back by popular demand is the “Sleighride – Jingle Bells” medley and the enactment of ’Twas The Night Before Christmas. This musical celebration also includes Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Cantata 191,” a celebratory composition written for Christmas Day. Tickets are $28 preferred, $23 general, and $18 for seniors and youth age 12 and younger, if purchased by Dec. 19. Visit www.boyschoir.org.
