Holiday arts guide: ‘Black Nativity,’ Dickens and the Grinch lead the holiday stage offerings

Whether it’s an old classic (“A Christmas Carol,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”) or a new production (“I Am Betty,” “Dinner for One”), Twin Cities theaters have plenty of options for seasonal stage productions (although a few aren’t about the holidays). Here’s a look at what’s on tap this year.

A Christmas Carol

Matthew Saldivar as Scrooge and Greta Oglesby as the Ghost of Christmas Present in “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater. (Dan Norman)

Now playing: The Guthrie first produced an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in 1975 and this year marks the 49th production. For the second time, the company is staging a new adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani that includes a new set, costumes and tunes. Through Dec. 30; 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; $134-$34; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

I Am Betty

Now playing: Created by an ad agency for General Mills in 1921, the fictional character of Betty Crocker became a radio and television personality, a letter-writing confidante and a relatable icon for multiple generations. Cristina Luzarraga (book, lyrics) and Denise Prosek (music, lyrics) use the persona to examine the lives of women and society throughout the past 100 years. Through Dec. 23; 30 E. 10th St, St. Paul; $74-$48; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Reed Sigmund and Matthew Woody in “Dr. Seuss’s “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” at Children’s Theatre Company. (Glenn Stubbe / Children’s Theatre Company)

Now playing: Children’s Theatre Company is presenting its adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ seasonal story for the 11th time, having originally commissioned and premiered it in 1994. CTC mainstay Reed Sigmund plays the title character for the sixth time and, according to Rob Hubbard’s review for the Pioneer Press, “Sigmund’s signature role has never been delivered with such a deft combination of clownishness and vulnerability.” Through Jan. 7; Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $102-$15; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

Christmas at the Local

Now playing: Theater Latte Da returns with last year’s world premiere of this new celebration of the season, featuring the words of Dylan Thomas and Maya Angelou, with music by local singer/songwriter Chastity Brown and Welsh artists Cerys Matthews and Mason Neely. Through Dec. 31; 345 13th Ave. N.E., Mpls.; $68-$35; 612-339-3003 or latteda.org.

Black Nativity

Opens Nov. 28: First staged at Penumbra in 1987, “Black Nativity” features gospel numbers brought to life under the musical direction of Sanford Moore. In a Pioneer Press review of last year’s production, Rob Hubbard wrote that the show “has long been more a musical revue than anything possessing much of a story arc. It’s an opportunity to bring the sound of splendidly sung contemporary gospel music into the theater and spread some adrenaline-infused joy.” Through Dec. 24; 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul; $45-$20; 651-288-6786 or penumbratheatre.org.

Scrooge in Rouge

Opens Nov. 30: Open Eye Theatre’s latest non-traditional holiday production is a quick-change, cross-dressing musical riff on the perennial holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Parents should be aware of the show’s double entendres with sexual innuendo that are in the spirit of British humorists Monty Python and Benny Hill, according to the theater. Through Dec. 30; 506 E. 24th St., Mpls.; $30; 612-874-6338 or openeyetheatre.org.

She Loves Me

Opens Dec. 1: First staged on Broadway in 1963, this musical about two feuding perfume store clerks is the third adaptation of the 1937 play “Parfumerie” following the 1940 film “The Shop Around the Corner” and the 1949 musical “In the Good Old Summertime.” “Parfumerie” was once again adapted for the 1998 romcom “You’ve Got Mail.” Through Dec. 20; Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake; $42-$15; 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)

Opens Dec. 1: Bored by the endless remakes of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” three actors in need of work to qualify for health insurance decide to stage a variety show that crams every Christmas story and international holiday tradition into one night. Through Dec. 31; 320 Fifth Ave. S.E., Osseo; $45; 763-493-8733 or yellowtreetheatre.com.

Disney’s Aladdin

Adi Roy plays Aladdin in the touring production of the much-loved Disney musical directed by Thomas Schumacher with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. (Deen van Meer/Disney)

Opens Dec. 5: The first of two of the month’s Broadway on Hennepin productions based on films that starred Robin Williams, “Disney’s Aladdin” debuted on Broadway in March 2014 and continues to this day. It’s currently the eighth highest-grossing Broadway show with a gross of nearly $600 million. This production is part of the musical’s second U.S. tour. Through Dec. 10; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $179-$39; hennepintheatretrust.org.

Peter Pan

Opens Dec. 6: For the holidays, the Ordway is bringing a new production of this family favorite to town. It’s directed by Emmy Award-winner Lonny Price (“Sunset Boulevard,” “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”) with additional book by playwright Larissa FastHorse (“The Thanksgiving Play,” “What Would Crazy Horse Do?”). The songs include “I’m Flying,” “I Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up” and “Neverland.” Through Dec. 31; 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $163.50-$45.50; 651-224-4222 or ordway.org.

Miss Richfield 1981: Bad Advice for Christmas

Miss Richfield is back. (Courtesy photo)

Opens Dec. 7: Illusion Theater once again presents an evening with Miss Richfield 1981, who hails from the town “where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage.” The drag-queen alter ego of Russ King, Miss Richfield 1981 was called “the must-see act in Provincetown” by the New York Post, with the Pioneer Press raving that “in these divided times, Miss R. is tonic — and gin — for the soul.” Expect, among many other things, to hear Christmas carols played on a cross-cut saw. Through Dec. 17; Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. S., Mpls.; $75-$45; 612-382-6406 or illusiontheater.org.

Dinner for One

Opens Dec. 8: Inspired by an iconic slapstick comedy sketch and New Year’s Eve tradition in Europe for more than 60 years, “Dinner for One” follows a butler as he attempts to help his employer celebrate her annual dinner party. Many mishaps follow. Through Dec. 31; Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.; “pay as you are” ($45 suggested); 612-822-7063 or jungletheater.org.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Opens Dec. 19: This musical adaptation of the 1993 film has been in the works since 2015. Unfortunately, it encountered a bit of a cursed run once it hit Broadway. Previews began about a week before the Great White Way shut down because of the pandemic and when it returned in October 2021, it took a short followed by an extensive break before closing in May 2022 after 43 previews and 83 performances. Rob McClure, who earned a Tony nomination, is returning to the lead role for the current tour. Through Dec. 24; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $139-$40; hennepintheatretrust.org.

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