Experience Downtown Blog

Holidays in the Theater District

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Submitted by Milwaukee Theater District

Theater songs ring. Are you listening? In the district, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, we’re going tonight, watching in a theater wonderland. Season’s greetings, and to all, a good wassailing! ‘Tis the season for a holly jolly slate of holiday shows in the Milwaukee Theater District. From the haunting holiday classic of Scrooge to the enchanting winter wonderland of the Nutcracker and Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity to “Home Alone” with Macaulay Culkin, here are all the seasonal shows to add to your nice list this year.  

"The Nutcracker" 
The “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy,” the noble Nutcracker Prince and the maleficent Rat King, it’s a classic that has lasted the test of time. Whether you’re looking for a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser or a modernized adaptation of the play, check out these productions of "The Nutcracker."   

• The Hip Hop Nutcracker 
  Marcus Performing Arts Center | November 22 
  See the age-old holiday staple in a whole new way in this re-imagined, re-mixed version that blends Tchaikovsky’s original score with hip-hop dance choreography in a "Nutcracker" that is fun for the whole family. Watch as Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince embark on a great adventure, battle a gang of mice and visit the lands of sweets against a backdrop of digital graffiti and unique visuals designed to help you experience this performance like never before. Get cracking! Find your seats today.   
   
• The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium 
  Uihlein Hall | December 7-8, 11-15, 19-24 
  From a re-imagined production to the Imaginarium, the Milwaukee Ballet’s version of the century-old tale. After a record-setting opening year, you can once again experience the magic as you take in what the Chicago Tribune once called “one of the grandest Nutcrackers of them all.” The production features the ballet’s full company of dancers, students from the Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy and the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra who will performing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score live. Discover Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium! Secure your spot here.    

A Christmas Carol
Here we go a-caroling! Take in these adaptations of the timeless classic. From the traditional, well-loved tale to an amphibious Bob Cratchit, you can book your tickets to a version of Charles Dickens’ most famed works.   

• "A Christmas Carol" 
  Pabst Theater | November 26 – December 24 
  Dear reader, tonight you will be visited by three ghosts. It’s a Milwaukee holiday institution and a true seasonal must-do. “A Christmas Carol” brings the alluring ghost story to life against the ornate backdrop of the Pabst Theater. Watch as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge journeys through his past, present and future to discover the true meaning of happiness. Don’t wait for the Ghost of Christmas past to show you the error of your ways. Get your seats today!   
   
• The Muppet Christmas Carol: Film with Orchestra 
  Bradley Symphony Center | November 29 – December 1 
  For a more whimsical take on the holiday institution, the Bradley Symphony Center is screening "The Muppet Christmas Carol," scored live by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Experience the decidedly more light-hearted adaptations of the beloved Dickensian work with Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, Michael Cain and the sweet symphonic sound of the orchestra. Find your seats today!    

Classic Holiday Movies 
Cozy winter flix are a holiday must. While these movies are usually best served on a couch beside a crackling fire with a warm cup of cocoa in hand, you can watch these holiday classics with the stars of the show!   

• A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin following a screening of Home Alone 
  Miller High Life Theatre | December 7 
  KEVIN! Instead of staying at home alone this year, how about going to see “Home Alone,” then sticking around to hear from the movie’s star, Macaulay Culkin? Punch your ticket to this festive favorite, followed by an exclusive interview and an audience Q&A with Kevin MacAllister. Relive this essential four-decade-old holiday flick in a night of nostalgia, laughs and slapstick humor that makes “Home Alone” a regular in the holiday rotation. Don’t leave this one behind! Get your tickets here.   
   
• An Evening with Peter Billingsley & A Christmas Story 
  Pabst Theater | December 28 
  Didn’t get enough of this holiday classic on Christmas Day? How about an extra helping of “A Christmas Story” starring Peter Billingsley? Tune in to see the Bupkis’ dogs, the leg lamp and, oh, fudge, Flick get his tongue stuck to that flagpole, then stick around to hear a conversation with Peter Billingsley, followed by questions from the crowd. Don’t shoot your eye out! Secure your seats today.     

More Holiday Shows 
There’s no place like the Milwaukee Theater District for the Holidays. Whether you’re here to hear those sleigh bells jingling or you’re ready to rock around the district, here are a few more shows to check out:   

• ‘Twas the Night Before…by Cirque du Soleil 
  Miller High Life Theatre | November 27-30 
  We’ve heard of dashing through the snow, but the Cirque du Soleil takes holiday athleticism to a whole new level. The performing arts group’s first holiday show, based on the Clement Clarke Moore poem “A Visit From Saint Nicolas” offers families and fans of all ages an exciting and fun festive event that includes all the holiday classics alongside the daring acrobatics that have made Cirque du Soliel known across the globe for more than 40 years. Jump at your chance to see this one-of-a-kind event! Claim your seat today.   
   
• "ELF The Musical" 
  Marcus Performing Arts Center | November 26-December 1 
  Does somebody need a hug? The best way to spread holiday cheer is to hear Buddy the Elf sing loud for all to hear at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Buddy the Elf is back, and this time, the only human elf in New York is taking his talents to the stage as he journeys through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops and walks through the Lincoln Tunnel in this whimsical Broadway show. Get your tickets now, Arctic Puffin! Find your tickets.   
   
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 
  Todd Wehr Theater | Weekends through December 29 
  Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you’d be at a First Stage production of the holiday mainstay at the Todd Wehr Theater. Celebrating a milestone of 60 years on television, this heartwarming musical adaptation of the well-loved underdog story is fun for the whole family. Hi-ho siiiiiiiiiiillver! Book your seats today.   
   
• Black Arts MKE’s Black Nativity 
  Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall | December 5-8 
  Now in its ninth annual production of the classic work by Langston Hughes, Black Arts MKE is proud to once again host the Black Nativity at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. A part of Black Arts MKE’s tenth anniversary season, the all-Black cast will breathe new life into this iconic work, featuring a unique blend of scripture, poetry, dance and song as they tell the story of the Nativity through the African-American perspective. Get your seats today! Get your tickets here.   
   
• The Commercialists: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” 
  Bradley Symphony Center | December 6 
  Rekindle the magic of the season at the Bradley Symphony Center as the Vince Guaraldi Trio treats you to a live performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Get your ticket to a rare experience with the opportunity to watch the show from the stage. Tickets are still available, but act fast; they won’t last long. Good grief! Get your tix today.   
   
• A Swingin’ Christmas | Erin Krebs & Friends 
  Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel | December 9 
  Cozy up to all your favorite seasonal songs performed by some of the state’s best jazz musicians. Kicking off her four-night tour of Wisconsin, WAMI-winning vocalist Erin Krebs will take the stage alongside a star-studded cast of jazz musicians, turning The Arc Theatre into a pop-up jazz club. Jazz it up! Find seats here.    

Adaptive Performances 
Holidays in the Milwaukee Theater District are for everyone! Many of the seasonal shows around town also offer fun, sensory-friendly adaptations to ensure that every theatergoer can make memories in Milwaukee.   

• The Nutcracker: Drosselymeyer’s Imaginarium 
  Milwaukee Ballet | December 11   
   
• "A Christmas Carol" 
  ASL Performance Pabst Theater | December 11   
   
• "ELF the Musical'"
  ASL Performance Uihlein Hall | November 30   
   
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Sensory-Friendly Performance 
  Todd Wehr Theater | December 14   
   
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical ASL Performance 
  Todd Wehr Theater | December 22    

For additional ideas, visit www.milwaukeetheaterdistrict.com.