Holiday arts: All the concerts, choirs, Christmas plays and ‘Nutcrackers’ in Lexington

Rich Copley
·5 min read

The holidays always mean a few packed weeks on the arts calendar as area theaters, dance companies and music ensembles offer traditional favorites and other takes on the season. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first full-fledged holiday arts season in the Bluegrass since 2019, and here are some highlights:

  • The Kentucky Bach Choir is bringing Central Kentuckians a chance to hear a rarely performed work by a timeless master. On Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m., the 25-voice professional choir will present the first three parts of J.S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” at First Presbyterian Church Lexington, 174 N. Mill St. This performance will feature four nationally acclaimed soloists and instrumentalists performing with instruments specific to Bach’s time. Visit kentuckybachchoir.org for tickets and more information.

  • Do you like your Christmas theater with “bad puns, bawdy malapropisms, naughty double-entendres, witty songs,” and more? Studio Players wraps up its production of “Scrooge in Rouge” this weekend at the Carriage House Theatre, 154 W. Bell Court, with performances Dec. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. The show tells the story of a production of “A Christmas Carol” struck by a food poisoning outbreak that leaves three actors having to play all the roles in a sold-out performance. Visit studioplayers.org or call 859-257-4929 for tickets and more information.

  • There’s plenty of irreverence but a lot of heart too in the Woodford Theatre’s production of a holiday favorite, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” about what happens when children considered the worst in the church are cast in the annual Christmas pageant, and everyone reconsiders their preconceptions. Performances are at Dec. 2-11 at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Visit woodfordtheatre.com or call 859-873-0648 for tickets and more information.

Paws and Listen, a University of Kentucky women’s a cappella group, performed Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) at UK’s Collage: A Holiday Spectacular last weekend at Singletary Center for the Arts in 2011.
Paws and Listen, a University of Kentucky women’s a cappella group, performed Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) at UK’s Collage: A Holiday Spectacular last weekend at Singletary Center for the Arts in 2011.

  • The University of Kentucky Choirs’ annual Christmas Collage is now a quarter-century-old event featuring the choirs from the UK School of Music along with a variety of vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles. Performances are Dec. 3 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Visit finearts.uky.edu/events or call 859-257-4929 for more information and tickets.

Jonathan Parham, Thomas Gunther and Blake Denson of the University of Kentucky Alltech Vocal Scholars perform at the 9th Annual Alltech Celebration of Song.
Jonathan Parham, Thomas Gunther and Blake Denson of the University of Kentucky Alltech Vocal Scholars perform at the 9th Annual Alltech Celebration of Song.

  • Also from UK, the annual Alltech Celebration of Song features vocalists from the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. at the Alltech Arena in the Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Parkway. The concert includes winners of UK’s annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. Admission and parking are free. Donations will be taken for Eastern Kentucky flood relief. Visit alltech.com/seasonsgreetings to learn more.

Dr. Everett McCorvey conducts during the Alltech Celebration of Song, featuring the talents of the UK Opera Theatre, at The Square in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, December 10, 2017.
Dr. Everett McCorvey conducts during the Alltech Celebration of Song, featuring the talents of the UK Opera Theatre, at The Square in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, December 10, 2017.

  • Do you like your Christmas with a little swing? The Bluegrass Area Jazz Ambassadors, who sport the oh-so-warm acronym BAJA, present their “Jazzy Christmas” concert at the Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Go to singletarycenter.com or call 859-257-4929 for tickets.

  • It would not be the holiday season without “The Nutcracker,” or, as we have experienced for several decades in the Bluegrass, “Nutcrackers.” The Lexington Ballet’s production runs three weekends, starting Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the EKU Center for the Arts on the Eastern Kentucky University Campus in Richmond. Visit ekucenter.com or call 859-622-7469 for tickets and information. That production moves to the Lexington Opera House for eight performances Dec. 9-18. Visit lexingtonoperahouse.com or call 859-233-3535 for show times and tickets. The Kentucky Ballet Theatre presents its production at Western Kentucky University on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.. Then it comes to Georgetown’s Great Crossings High School on Dec. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m. Visit kyballet.com for more information and tickets. Finally, at the Singletary Center on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m., the Bluegrass Youth Ballet presents its “Nutcracker in One Act,” which condenses the ballet’s story into one segment ideal for younger audiences who aren’t quite ready for a whole night out at the theater. Visit bluegrassyouthballet.org for more information and tickets.

Mélisse Brunet, the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra’s new musical director, will conduct her first performance for the annual holiday concert. Tickets are sold out but more options may be coming.
Mélisse Brunet, the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra’s new musical director, will conduct her first performance for the annual holiday concert. Tickets are sold out but more options may be coming.

  • If you want to see the first holiday performance conducted by the Lexington Philharmonic’s new music director, get in line. Literally. Mélisse Brunet will be on the podium for the Philharmonic’s annual Cathedral Christmas concert in the Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd., on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. The concert is already sold out, but if you want to get on the waiting list in case seats become available, go to lexphil.org/events. Also, there will be an additional “pay what you can” opportunity to attend dress rehearsal on Dec. 16. Limited tickets will be available for the dress rehearsal at lexphil.org starting next week.

This is just a sampler of holiday arts offerings in coming weeks. Keep an eye out for what your favorite community group or church may be offering to make the holiday season a bit brighter this year.

Rich Copley is a Lexington-based multimedia storyteller who was a Herald-Leader arts and entertainment writer and editor for more than 20 years.