The Nutcracker (Queen Elizabeth Theatre, December 28 to December 31)
Take in an all-time holiday favourite and grab some of the remaining tickets to this classic ballet performance courtesy of the Alberta Ballet, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s score delivered by the Vancouver Orchestra. This exquisite large-scale production ($1.5 million production bill) leaves no detail spared and is guaranteed to have sugarplums dancing in your head for days to come.
Christmas Carol (Pacific Theatre, until December 31)
Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, this rendition has been artfully adapted by Ron Reed into a thrilling one man performance. Dickens’ story is brought to life through the impassioned characterization, humour, and wit of storyteller Reed, who effortlessly sucks you into the lonely, chilling world of Scrooge on Christmas Eve.
White Christmas: The Musical (Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, until December 28)
Always a favourite, this is a classic musical masterpiece guaranteed to kick-start your Christmas spirit. Based on the classic black and white holiday film, it is brimming with feel good tunes, including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” and, of course, “White Christmas.”
A Child’s Christmas in Wales (PAL Theatre, until December 18)
This is an upbeat excuse to get out of the house and into the theatre for a lively re-imagined performance of Dylan Thomas’ classic celebration of a childhood Christmas in Wales. Let the poetic words of Thomas come alive when accompanied by music, Christmas Carols, humour and more.
Blood Brothers (Granville Island Stage, until December 31)
Though not a traditional holiday-style play, this is nonetheless a performance you won’t want to miss. Narrated by John Mann (lead singer of Spirit of the West), you’ll be brought to the edge of your seat as he brings to light the emotionally-charged tale of two brothers separated at birth who grow up living very different lives, only to be drawn together by destiny. Purchase tickets while you still can and bring along extra tissues – you’ll need them.
The Christmas Carol Project (The Cultch, December 18 – 20)
Try out this unique, musical version of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol that blends the classic telling with contemporary folk-style music that has been specifically created for each significant character in the tale. This musically-charged performance is brought to life by a team of Edmonton-based creatives who originally conceived the idea back in 1996.
The Patron Saint of Stanley Park (Revue Stage, until December 24)
Be sure to check out this beautifully told tale just in time for the holiday season. Set on a stormy Christmas Eve in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, your heart will be one over by the a scruffy vagabond, who may be more than he appears to be as he comes to the aid of a struggling family. It’s a heart-warming tale that sheds light on the human spirit and reminds us of what Christmas is actually all about.
Image courtesy A Christmas Carol