Photo by Dan Norman
Holiday season theater in the Twin Cities has the tale of a miserly man who finds redemption, a grinchy green creature, and some circus artists spinning a new tale—plus so much more. Here’s a look at some of what’s on stages.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis; Nov. 8-Jan. 8
You may know the story, but when CTC actor Reed Sigmund cavorts and snarls as the furry green nemesis of Whoville, it’s a whole new level of holiday heart-expanding. childrenstheatre.org
Photo by Jenny Graham
“A Christmas Carol”
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis; Nov. 12-Dec. 31
For many folks, it’s just not the holidays without a trip to the venerable Guthrie Theater to see its annual staging (48 years, this year) of the Dickens tale of Scrooge and Tiny Tim. A new adaptation of the story premiered last year and will return this season. guthrietheater.org
“Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley”
Jungle Theater, Minneapolis; Nov. 19-Dec. 23
The Bennet sisters from Jane Austen’s classic “Pride and Prejudice” have been dithering and dancing and looking for love during the holidays on the Jungle Theater stage off and on since 2017. The “Christmas at Pemberley” trilogy of plays wraps up this season with the third installment. jungletheater.org
Provided
“Cirque Dreams Holidaze”
Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis; Nov. 25-26
The holidays can be a circus, so why not celebrate with some spinning, sailing circus arts? Hennepin Theatre Trust brings “Holidaze” to its historic theater for four performances. Also on tap for the Trust stages over the holidays: “Les Misérables,” Dec. 6-18; the Blenders, Dec. 9-11; and Brave New Workshop’s holiday show (Nov. 11-Jan. 28). hennepintheatretrust.org
“Holidate”
Yellow Tree Theatre, Osseo; Nov. 25-Dec. 30
Two weary shoppers sit on a bench on the Nicollet Mall, stressed by shopping and holiday obligations. They question “almost everything about themselves—their families, traditions, their relationship, and their future together.” It is written by Yellow Tree producing artistic director Austene Van. yellowtreetheatre.com
“Christmas at the Local”
Theater LattÉ Da, Minneapolis; Nov. 29-Jan. 1
In this world premiere, which was developed as part of Latté Da’s new works program, locals gather to raise a glass and play a tune. “Voices blend, memories are rekindled, and a bit of mystery hangs in the air,” according to the theater. latteda.org
“Scrooge in Rouge”
Open Eye Theatre, Minneapolis; Dec. 1-23
The Charles Dickens holiday classic gets a quick-change, cross-dressing twist that Open Eye says is “sure to make you blush.” The setup: A musical production of “A Christmas Carol” is in peril when 17 members of the company get sick. Three remaining cast members are left to stage the show. openeyetheatre.org
Photo by Tomás Leal
“The Snowy Day”
SteppingStone Theatre, St. Paul; Dec. 1-23
The classic children’s book “The Snowy Day”—and other stories by author Ezra Jack Keats—brings the wonder of the fresh snowfall, the joy of whistling for the first time, and the delight of finding a special treasure to the SteppingStone stage, which it shares with St. Paul’s Park Square Theatre. steppingstonetheatre.org
Photo by Caroline Yang
“Black Nativity”
Penumbra, St. Paul; Dec. 1-24
Penumbra’s Christmas show returns with “familiar faces and a new generation of talent.” Musical direction is by Sanford Moore, with the Kingdom Life Church Choir and some of the Twin Cities’ best singers in a straight-up spiritual extravaganza. penumbratheatre.org
“Holidays with Bing”
Artistry, Bloomington; Dec. 22-31
That’s Bing, as in Crosby, the crooner who’s dreaming of a white Christmas. C. Ryan Shipley is Bing in this show structured like a vintage radio broadcast and featuring some of his “legendary friends.” artistrymn.org
