Craig Wallace and Rayanne Gonzales in Ford's Theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol

Carol Rosegg

While nobody is thinking of holiday shopping before Thanksgiving, holiday shows are another matter. Everyone knows you have to jump on these tickets fast, so here’s theatreWashington’s rundown of what’s playing this season, from the classics to children’s shows to a little real-life festive magic. 

There’s a reason we have “A Christmas Story” marathons and all watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Frosty the Snowman” on TV every year. The holiday classics are just that; works of enduring excellence that have become traditional events, and no winter theater

season would be complete without the annual performances of Charles Dickens’ quintessential holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. In the Washington area, there are a number of productions to choose from. Over at Ford’s Theatre, acclaimed DC actor Craig Wallace returns to play Scrooge in a music-tinged production which has been called “infectiously jolly,” starting November 21. For an adult twist on the classic, there are two options: Head over to Olney Theatre Center from November 29 for their critically acclaimed A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. Paul Morella’s solo show, now in its 10th year, promises to “transport you back to Victorian England” in this adaptation of Dickens’ original novella and reading tour. And over at Keegan Theatre from December 12, An Irish Carol is back for its ninth season. Set in a pub in Dublin and featuring a materialistic bar owner, the irreverent comedy is billed as an “homage” to the original. 

Also playing this holiday season, over at Shakespeare Theatre Company, is a reimagination of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Wendy, which begins on December 3. Wendy is portrayed as “a budding scientist breaking free from the constraints of Edwardian traditions” when she’s spirited away to Neverland in Lauren Gunderson’s, America’s most produced living playwright, world premiere adaptation. Anyone searching for some real seasonal magic will be interested in The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays, “showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth” performing daring and exhilarating magic tricks at National Theatre from December 3. 

For devotees of musicals, this season doesn’t disappoint. The aforementioned A Christmas Story gets the Toby’s Dinner Theatre treatment starting November 8, complete with pink bunny PJs and a leg lamp in a lively musical adaptation. Motown fans are in for a treat at Signature Theatre. From December 3, A Motown Christmas delivers “an upbeat, fun and soulful yuletide treat” complete with covers of holiday favorites from The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. And for something a little different, Best Medicine Rep Theater’s holiday musical farce, The Crater Sisters’ Christmas Special, follows a demanding diva who became a one-hit wonder singing her sister’s Christmas song as she tries to stage a comeback. 

Those with kids know that this is not only a magical time for little ones, but a great opportunity to enjoy all the events that our area has to offer. Theater productions especially for the under-5 set this season include Creative Cauldron’s musical adaptation of Madeline’s Christmas, based on Ludwig Bemelmans’ books about an adorable Parisian schoolgirl (starts December 6) and Squeakers & Mr. Gumdrop, a nonverbal play about a mouse that turns up just as Mr. Gumdrop is hosting his annual holiday party, by Arts on the Horizon from December 5. Families will enjoy Discovery Theater’s interactive event, Seasons of Light, back for its 20th season celebrating the history and customs from around the globe, including Christmas, Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Diwali, and the First Nations’ tradition of Winter Solstice (starts December 2). Synetic Theater’s visually striking brand of storytelling will be on full view when they present “a whimsical, family-friendly adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale” The Snow Queen, starting December 3, while over at Adventure Theatre MTC from November 15, Margery Williams’ classic tale of the love between a boy and his Christmas present, The Velveteen Rabbit, will have kids from one to 92 ready to spread some holiday love. 

To find more information about these shows, and more, visit theatreWashington’s Show Selector. To buy tickets for these shows, and more, visit TodayTix,who make buying tickets to theatre easy as opening a gift.

Credits: The Illusionists - Magic of the Holidays/The National Theatre; A Christmas Carol; A Ghost Story of Christmas/Olney Theatre Center

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