Holiday Arts Guide

JAMES SEWELL BALLET

The annual performance of James Sewell’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, about a young boy and his widowed mother who are visited by the Three Kings, debuts in the newly refurbished Ritz Theater from November 30 to December 3. • Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-436-1129, www.jsballet.org.

DANCERS AND PRANCERS BALLET OF THE DOLLS

Nutcracker?! (not so) Suite, Dec. 14-–31 • Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-436-1129, www.balletofthedolls.org.

ETHNIC DANCE THEATRE

The Nutcracker!

, Dec. 15–17 • E. M. Pearson Theatre, Concordia University, 312 Hamline Ave., St. Paul, 651-209-6689, www.ethnicdancetheatre.com.

MERRY MEN AND WOMEN CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

, Nov. 8–Dec. 31 • Children’s Theatre, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls., 612-874-0400, www.childrenstheatre.org.

COMMONWEAL THEATRE COMPANY

A Christmas Carol

, Nov. 18–Dec. 23 • St. Mane Theatre, 206 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro, 800-657-7025, www.commonwealtheatre.org.

HERITAGE THEATRE COMPANY

Christmas in Oz

, Nov. 3–12 • Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, 651-773-1455, www.heritagetc.com.

HISTORY THEATRE

Something fishy is going on at the Great American History Theatre, but don’t blame the codfish. Lutefisk Champ & Other Frozen Holiday Tales, showing November 25 to December 31, encourages its jolly audience to bring their dancing shoes. So far, no word on the agility of the finned star. • Great American History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul, 651-292-4323, www.historytheatre.com.

ILLUSION THEATER

The classic Dickens Christmas tale The Seven Poor Travelers, or the Trials and Travails of Richard Doubledick, Dec. 1–20 • Festival of Lights Hanukkah family show, Dec. 21–23 • Hennepin Center for the Arts, eighth floor, 528 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-339-4944 ext. 200, www.illusiontheater.org.

IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST PUPPET AND MASK THEATRE

La Natividad

(The Nativity Story), Dec. 1–23 • 1500 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-721-2535, www.hobt.org.

LAKESHORE PLAYERS

Lakeshore Players family holiday show The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Nov. 30–Dec. 10 • Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake, 651-429-5674, www.lakeshoreplayers.com

MINNESOTA JEWISH THEATRE COMPANY

Hanukkah holiday show The Odd Potato, Dec. 8–22 • Hillcrest Center Theater, 1978 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, 651-647-4315, www.jewishtheatre.org.

OLD LOG THEATER

Old Log Theater’s annual children’s holiday show Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Nov. 18–Dec. 30 • Old Log Theater, 5185 Meadville St., Greenwood, 952-474-5951, www.oldlog.com.

ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Dec. 1–Jan. 7 • Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, 651-224-4222, www.ordway.org.

PANTAGES THEATRE

Altar Boyz

, Dec. 19–31 • Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-673-0404, www.hennepintheatredistrict.org.

PENUMBRA THEATRE COMPANY

Black Nativity: A Homecoming

, Nov. 30–Dec. 24 • Penumbra Theatre, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul, 651-224-3180, www.penumbratheatre.org.

PIONEER PLACE ON FIFTH

A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol

, Nov. 30–Dec. 23 • 22 Fifth Ave. S., St. Cloud, 320-203-0331 or 800-851-3935, www.pioneerplaceonfifth.com.

SHELDON THEATRE

Ozark Mountain Christmas

, Nov. 7–8 • Joyous Brass, performed by Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, Nov. 25–26 • It’s a Wonderful Life, presented by Phoenix Theatre, Dec. 7–10 • Nutcracker, presented by the Continental Ballet Company and Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, Dec. 16–17 • VocalEssence presents Conrad Susa carols and lullabies, Dec. 21 • Holiday silent film series with Peter Pan and Big Business, Dec. 22 • Sheldon Theatre, 443 W. Third St., Red Wing, 651-388-8700 or 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.org.

STAGES THEATRE COMPANY

A Christmas Carol

, Nov. 17–Dec. 28 • Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, www.stagestheatre.org.

STEPPINGSTONE THEATRE

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

, Dec. 1–22 • F. K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul, 651-225-9265, www.steppingstonetheatre.org.

Photo by Aaron
Smith, Smitty’s
Workshop

SAINT PAUL HOTEL

Historic holiday celebrations fit right in at the 96-year-old Saint Paul Hotel. This year, the venerable landmark presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play, accompanied by a multi-course holiday tea, from December 18 to 23, in place of the decade-long run of Tea with Scrooge. • Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-292-9292, www.saintpaulhotel.com.

THEATER LATTÉ DA

A Christmas Carole Petersen

, Nov. 30–Dec. 30 • Loring Playhouse, 1633 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 651-209-6689, www.theaterlatteda.org.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Inspecting Carol

, Nov. 24–Dec. 10 • Minnesota Centennial Showboat, docked at Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul, 612-624-2345, www.theatre.umn.edu.

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON CANTUS

Away in a Manager: An American Christmas

, Harriet Island Pavilion, Nov. 25 • Christmas with Cantus: An American Christmas, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Dec. 17; Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dec. 19–20 • Harriet Island Pavilion, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd., St. Paul; Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 Oak St., Excelsior; Westminister Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave., Mpls.; 612-435-0046, www.cantusonline.org.

COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT

Diane Reeves Christmas concert

, Dec. 9 • Petters Auditorium, College of Saint Benedict, 37 College Ave. S., St. Joseph, 320-363-5777, www.csbsju.edu/finearts.

COLLEGE OF ST. CATHERINE

Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas

, Dec. 9 • O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, 651-690-6700, http://oshaughnessy.stkate.edu.

COLLEGE OF ST. SCHOLASTICA

Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas

, Dec. 1 • Mitchell Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Ave., Duluth, 218-723-7000, www.css.edu/mitchell.xml.

EXULTATE

Tidings of Joy: A Christmas Festival

, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Dec. 8; Luther Seminary Chapel, Dec. 9; Christ the King Lutheran Church, Dec. 10 • St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Rd. 6, Plymouth; Luther Seminary Chapel, 1490 Fulham St., St. Paul; Christ the King Lutheran Church, 8600 Fremont Ave. S., Bloomington; 651-707-0727, www.exultate.org.

HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Blessings: A Peterson Family 20th Anniversary Holiday Concert

, Nov. 30, Dec. 2 • Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, www.hopkinsartscenter.com.

MINNESOTA CENTER CHORALE

Cabaret ’06:Celebrate the Season

, Dec. 8–9 • Great Hall, St. John’s University, Collegeville, 320-363-3577, www.csbsju.edu/news/mcc.

MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA

Osmo Vänskä conducts Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker 1906: The Spirit of a Concert Past, Orchestra Hall, Nov. 24 • Handel’s Messiah, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Dec. 7, and Orchestra Hall, Dec. 10 • Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul; Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-371-5656, www.minnesotaorchestra.org.

MINNESOTA SINFONIA

Since 1989, Minnesota Sinfonia’s Holiday Pops Concerts have promoted young talent, this year featuring ninth-grade violinist Derek Huang at Catholic Eldercare on November 30; Metropolitan State University on December 1; and the Basilica of Saint Mary on December 2. • Catholic Eldercare, 817 Main St. NE, Mpls.; MSU, 700 E. Seventh St., St. Paul; the Basilica, 88 N. 17th St., Mpls.; 612-871-1701, www.mnsinfonia.org.

ORKESTAR BEZ IME

Solhanumas Celebration

traditional holiday concert, Dec. 27 • Visit www.rogaria.com for more information.

THE PHIPPS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Holiday concerts

, Dec. 9–10 • Handel’s Messiah, presented by the Phipps Oratorio Society Chorus and Orchestra, Bethel Lutheran Church, Dec. 17 • The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wisconsin; Bethel Lutheran Church, 920 Third St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715-386-8409, www.thephipps.org.

 

RIVERSIDE CONCERTS

Christmas with Aaron Neville

, Dec. 8 • Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester, 507-285-8076 or 800-657-3980, www.riversideconcerts.com.

ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORALE

Messiah

, Dec. 16–17 • Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Fifth Ave. SW, Rochester, 507-286-8742 or 877-286-8742, www.rochestersymphony.org.

ROSE ENSEMBLE

Christmas in Elizabethan England

, Trinity Lutheran Church, Dec. 21; Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dec. 22; Basilica of Saint Mary, Dec. 23 • Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 Fourth St. N., Stillwater; Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul; Basilica of Saint Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Mpls.; 651-225-4340, www.roseensemble.org.

SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Cantus and Carols

with Layton James conducting, Trinity Lutheran Church, Nov. 30; Wayzata Community Church, Dec. 1; and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Dec. 2 • Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 Fourth St. N., Stillwater; Wayzata Community Church, 125 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata; St. Paul’s UCC, 900 Summit Ave., St. Paul; 651-291-1144, www.thespco.org.

THE SINGERS

What Sweeter Music: Christmas with the Singers

, St. Paul’s on the Hill Episcopal Church, Dec. 2; Wayzata Community Church, Dec. 9 • Sharing the Spirit! The Singers and Guests Sing of Christmas, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Dec. 3; St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Dec. 10 • St. Paul’s on the Hill Episcopal Church, 1524 Summit Ave., St. Paul; Wayzata Community Church, 125 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 County Rd. 137, St. Cloud; St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Rd. 6, Plymouth; 651-209-6689, www.singersmca.org.

ST. CLOUD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Holiday concert

featuring the St. Cloud State Concert Choir and the Chichester Psalms, Dec. 3 • St. Augustine Church, 442 Second St. SE, St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, www.stcloudsymphony.com.

TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR

Christmas concert

, Dec. 9 • Church of St. Michael, 16091 45th St. NE, St. Michael, 612-521-0800, www.tccgospel.org.

TWIN CITIES GAY MEN’S CHORUS

Messiah Sing-Along

, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Dec. 3 • Our Gay Apparel, Ted Mann Concert Hall, Dec. 8–10 • St. Paul’s UCC, 900 Summit Ave., St. Paul, 612-339-7664; Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth St. S., Mpls., 612-624-2345; www.tcgmc.org.

VALLEY CHAMBER CHORAL

Christmas with the Valley Chamber Chorale

, guests Sara Grudem on harp and Casey Kovacich on flute, Dec. 8–10 • Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine St. W., Stillwater, 651-430-0124, www.valleychamberchorale.org.

VOCALESSENCE

Star of Wonder

, Plymouth Congregational Church, Dec. 2 • Welcome Christmas!, Plymouth Congregational Church, Dec. 3, 10; St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Dec. 7; Normandale Lutheran Church, Dec. 9 • Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi; Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Rd., Edina; 612-624-2345, www.vocalessence.org.

FESTIVE SIGHTS AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE

“A Nordic Christmas”

annual holiday exhibit, Nov. 4–Jan. 14 • “Lucia Morning: Illustrations by Carina Ståhlberg,” Nov. 4–Jan. 14 • Christmas Fairs I & II, Nov. 4 and 18 • First of Advent celebration of first day of Swedish Advent, Nov. 26 • Tomtenissefrukost (Breakfast with the Christmas Elves), Dec. 2 • Lucia Celebration at Augustana Lutheran Church, 11th Ave. S. and Seventh St., Mpls., Dec. 9 • Julglädje musical performances and storytelling, Dec. 26 • American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Mpls., 612-871-4907, www.americanswedishinst.org.

BLOOMINGTON ART CENTER

Holiday art sale

, Nov. 15–18 • Bloomington Art Center, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, 952-563-8587, www.bloomingtonartcenter.com.

FIVETWOSIX GALLERY

Holiday event

with music, food from Zander Café, Bon Vie, and Great Harvest bakery, plus wine from Solo Vino, Dec. 9 and 16 • FiveTwoSix Spa, Salon, and Gallery, 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-222-3839, www.526salon.com.

MALL OF AMERICA

Tours of the World’s Largest Gingerbread House

, beginning Nov. 24 • Holiday musical performances and visits with Santa, Nov. 24–Dec. 23 • Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-883-8800, www.mallofamerica.com.

MINNETONKA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Holiday art gift sale

, Nov. 16–Dec. 23 • Minnetonka Center for the Arts, 2240 North Shore Dr., Wayzata, 952-473-7361, www.minnetonkaarts.org.

MINNESOTA DANCE THEATRE

Add the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Galleria’s fifth annual holiday open house, and you’ve got a plum deal: desserts, music, shopping, and abbreviated performances of Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy, presented during the holiday promotions November 10 through 12, 25, and December 2 and 9. • Galleria, 3510 W. 70th St., Edina, 952-925-4321, www.galleria-edina.com.

TOURS & TINSEL ARD GODFREY HOUSE

Free holiday tours and entertainment at the 1850s Holiday Party, Dec. 3 • Historic Ard Godfrey House, Chute Square, 50 University Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-813-5319, www.ardgodfreyhouse.org.

LANDMARK CENTER

Skandia Festival

, Dec. 10 • Five Star New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 • 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul, 651-292-3233, www.landmarkcenter.org.

MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Hill House Holidays historic home tours

led by costumed actors, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 2–23 • James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul, 651-297-2555, www.mnhs.org/hillhouse.

RICE PARK

Winter Wonderland

holiday decorations, ice skating, hot cider, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, and visits with Santa Claus, Nov. 25–Jan. 1 • Rice Park is located in downtown St. Paul between Fourth and Fifth streets.