Here's a look at holiday performances around the region this December
With shopping, decorating, baking and planning family events, December can feel overwhelming with the stressful aspects of the holidays. Fortunately, Pittsburgh’s cultural institutions are here to remind us about all of the magic and joy that this time of year can bring. From plays to dance performances to concerts, here is a guide to the events that will put you in the Christmas spirit this month.
’The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley’
City Theatre Company on Pittsburgh’s South Side is bringing a touch of Jane Austen to the holidays. Running through Dec. 22, this play takes the audience to Christmas with the Bennets and Darcys, with some household drama and an uninvited guest thrown into the mix. See dates and get tickets at citytheatrecompany.org.
‘Who’s Holiday!’
Pittsburgh CLO’s R-rated show returns to the Greer Cabaret Theater in downtown Pittsburgh through Dec. 22. This 90-minute one-woman show features a grown-up Cindy Lou Who (from Dr. Seuss’s “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”) catching us up on what’s been going on in Whoville — with lots of foul language and adult themes along the way. Get tickets at pittsburghclo.org.
‘A Christmas Story: The Play’
For fans and haters of the 1983 film alike, this play by Pittsburgh Public Theater will bring laughs and cheer. Follow Ralphie Parker on his adventures as one momentous childhood Christmas approaches. The play is full of nostalgia and a top-notch cast of characters. The show will run from Dec. 4-22 at the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh. Get tickets at ppt.org.
‘The Nutcracker’
Several versions of the Tchaikovsky ballet will be performed around Pittsburgh this season. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will put on a guest-star-studded production at the Benedum Center downtown from Dec. 6-27. Tickets can be found at pbt.org. For something a little more contemporary, the modern dance version, ‘The Hip Hop Nutcracker,’ will bring its tour to the Benedum Center at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Check out tickets at trustarts.org. And for those outside of the city, “The Nutcracker” will be performed by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Texture Contemporary Ballet at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 14. Tickets can be found at westmorelandculturaltrust.org.
‘Die Hard N’At’
Whichever side of the “is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?” debate you fall on, the 1988 action film starring Bruce Willis is part of the modern film canon. Bricolage Production Company will bring a Pittsburgh-inspired movie adaptation to its Midnight Radio series from Dec. 6-22 at barebones productions in Braddock. The script was adapted by Gayle Pazerski and performed radio drama-style by a cast of talented actors. To learn more and get tickets, visit bricolagepgh.org.
Handel’s Messiah
Enjoy this classic oratorio, one of the most famous pieces of choral music in history, at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7. It will feature a number of vocal soloists — as well as the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra — and Manfred Honeck will conduct the program. Get tickets at pittsburghsymphony.org.
River City Brass Christmas Brasstacular
The top-notch River City Brass band will be bringing its Christmas Brasstacular to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The show will include many holiday favorites, as well as Duke Ellington’s modernized version of “The Nutcracker” as arranged by Billy Strayhorn. Get tickets at rivercitybrass.org.
A Very Yinzer Christmas
Hear Christmas classics as performed by your favorite local Pittsburgh artists. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, A Very Yinzer Christmas will bring together artists including Gene the Werewolf, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Scott Blasey, Bill Deasy and Jeff Jimerson to play the songs of the season. Get tickets at yinzerchristmas.com.
Elvis Christmas Show
The King meets Christmas on this unforgettable evening from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Renowned Elvis impersonator Terry Mike Jeffrey will croon classics such as “Silver Bells” and “White Christmas” while backed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Moon Doh. The Elvis Christmas Show will take place on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Visit pittsburghsymphony.org for tickets.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
If you like some acrobatics with your seasonal music, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is a perfect show for you. With awe-inspiring performers, costumes and musicians, this holiday show will amaze attendees of all ages. Prepare to be dazzled at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. For tickets, visit westmorelandculturaltrust.org.
Fairytale of New York
It’s time to do Christmas Irish-style with this touring holiday production. With singing, traditional Irish dancing and tons of fun and good cheer, this performance is great for all ages. Including songs such as “O Holy Night,” “White Christmas” and the show’s namesake, “The Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues, the show also features Irish classics such as “Galway Girl” and “Danny Boy.” The show will happen on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall in Munhall. Tickets are available at librarymusichall.com.
Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra holiday concert
For a jazzy twist to holiday favorites, check out the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra’s holiday concert. Held at the PNC Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m., this show will showcase fresh arrangements of holiday songs. It will also feature renowned jazz performer Allan Harris. For information and tickets, visit playhouse.pointpark.edu.
‘A Musical Christmas Carol’
Running Dec. 13-22 at the Byham Theater Downtown, this production by Pittsburgh CLO features Charles Dickens’ well-known Christmas tale with holiday songs to enhance the whole experience. This show is for all ages, so bring the family along. This production will star actor Charles Shaughnessy — of “Days Of Our Lives” and “The Nanny” fame — as Scrooge. See showtimes and get tickets at pittsburghclo.org.
Highmark Holiday Pops
For the full array of what the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has to offer this season, check out the Highmark Holiday Pops performances, running from Dec. 13-22 at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Pops conductor Byron Stripling leads this wide-ranging concert, also featuring the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and vocalist Mamie Parris. Get ready to sing along and take a look at performance times and tickets at pittsburghsymphony.org.
‘A Sherlock Carol’
For an entertaining and heartfelt mashup of two classic tales, “A Sherlock Carol” is the perfect play. The Pittsburgh premiere of this off-Broadway show will be fun for the whole family. Produced by Kinetic Theatre Company, the innovative new take on British staple stories will run from Dec. 13-22 at the Henry Heymann Theatre on the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland. Get tickets at kinetictheatre.org.
The Sounds of Christmas
The Palace Theatre in Greensburg will play host to a Christmas tradition with The Sounds of Christmas, held at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 15. The Latshaw Pops Orchestra will join star of “America’s Got Talent” Victory Brinker and other talented singers and dancers to bring the best of Christmas tunes and carols to the stage. Santa will even be there! Visit westmorelandculturaltrust.org for tickets.
Holiday Brass Spectacular
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s bombastic brass section will perform holiday selections both old and new in this powerful performance. Taking place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh, this is a must-see holiday experience for lovers of trombones, tubas, French horns and trumpets. Get tickets at pittsburghsymphony.org.
‘A Lyrical Christmas Carol’
Pittsburgh Musical Theater presents a holiday tradition, “A Lyrical Christmas Carol.” Adding your favorite carols to the classic tale of Scrooge and his ghostly visitors, this show is a Young Artist Production, meaning that students of the PMT Conservatory will perform and work on the technical aspects of the show. It will run from Dec. 18-22 at the Gargaro Theater in Pittsburgh’s West End. For tickets, visit pittsburghmusicals.com.
‘Love Actually’
The 2003 British holiday romantic dramedy has become a perennial Christmastime watch for many, with an emotional, swelling musical score. The movie features an all-star cast including Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman in a series of interwoven stories. This year, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be screening the film with live musical accompaniment conducted by Jacob Joyce. The screening will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Learn more at pittsburghsymphony.org.
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’
The hilarious 1989 Christmas film comes to the big screen once again at the Lamp Theatre in Irwin on Dec. 20. Laugh along with the holiday misadventures of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family with fellow fans at three different shows, at 4 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. Just in time for Christmas, this is a chance for even the Grinchiest among us to get some holiday cheer. Find out more at lamptheatre.org.
Alexis Papalia is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at apapalia@triblive.com.
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