Martina McBride, Polar Express, Drag Queen Christmas: 19 shows to catch this month in OKC
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The sights and sounds of the holiday season are already coming to a stage near you.
From the beloved ballet “The Nutcracker” and the Dickensian drama of “A Christmas Carol” to popular seasonal concert tours like Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Oklahoma boasts more plum options for live yuletide entertainment this season than Santa Claus could stuff into his sack.
Here’s a look at live shows you can catch in the Sooner State this Christmas season:
1. 'The Polar Express' Train Ride
When and where: Nov. 11-Dec. 27, Oklahoma Railway Museum.
Tickets: okcthepolarexpressride.com.
A real-life train is the stage as the popular book- and movie-based holiday experience returns to OKC with more opportunities for riders to partake of "Hot Chocolate" and "Believe" in Santa's magic.
2. Lyric Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol'
When and where: Nov. 16-Dec. 23, Harn Homestead.
Tickets: https://lyrictheatreokc.com.
For the third and final season, the professional theater is staging its faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens' beloved yuletide tale outside, whisking audiences to a Victorian holiday village and literally walking them through the familiar "Ghost Story of Christmas" at the living history museum.
3. 'A Territorial Christmas Carol'
When and where: Nov. 25-Dec. 23, The Pollard Theatre in Guthrie.
Tickets: https://thepollard.org.
As part of its 35th season, the theater is bringing back its popular yuletide title for the first time in five years. The nonprofit theater has staged its signature seasonal show — adapted by the late Oklahoman Stephen Scott from the classic novel by Charles Dickens — for 1,000 performances and 150,000 patrons over 30 years.
4. 3rd Act Theatre Company's 'The Christmas Express'
When and where: Dec. 2-18, Shoppes at Northpark.
Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/3rdActTheatreCo.
The community theater continues its fourth season, which boasts the theme "Regenerate," Pat Cook's nostalgic play that centers on a group of eccentric small-town characters wise-cracking their way to finding the true wonder of Christmas.
5. Star Dance Company Holiday Spectacular
When and where: Dec. 8-11, OCU's Kirkpatrick Theatre.
Tickets: https://www.okcu.edu/dance/performance/homeholidays.
More than 120 performers from OCU's Ann Lacy School of American Dance will put on a high-energy holiday celebration.
6. 'Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker'
When and where: Dec. 9-23, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's indoor black box theater.
Tickets: https://www.okshakes.org/indoor-black-box.
Oklahoma Shakespeare closes its 38th season indoors with the merry comeback of its original holiday production, which local playwright Erin Woods has adapted from Austen's iconic novels.
7. Christmas Vespers
When and where: Dec. 9-10, First Presbyterian Church OKC.
Tickets: https://oklahomacity.csstix.com.
More than 250 choral singers and orchestral musicians will join forces for OCU's 43rd annual celebratory concert, including scripture, poetry, congregational singing of cherished carols and a candlelit finale.
8. OKC Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'
When and where: Dec. 10-18, Civic Center.
Tickets: https://www.okcballet.org.
With new Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye refreshing the choreography, the company will continue its cherished yuletide tradition, with the OKC Philharmonic and Canterbury Voices returning to perform Pyotr Tchaikovsky's treasured score live.
OKC Ballet is offering its first sensory-friendly performance with its 6 p.m. Dec. 15 presentation, and dance devotees can enjoy tasty treats, a special performance and a visit with Santa at the annual Nutrcracker Tea from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Civic Center's Meinders Hall of Mirrors.
9. Voctave
When and where: Dec. 10, Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center.
Tickets: https://www.brokenarrowpac.com/spotlight.
The 11-member a cappella group from Central Florida will share its "Sounds of the Season."
10. 'Elf - Interactive Movie'
When and where: Dec. 10, Chickasha Community Theatre.
Tickets: https://www.chickashatheatre.org.
The 2003 film will be accompanied by sing-alongs, dancing and callbacks.
11. 'World Ballet Series: Nutcracker'
When and where: Dec. 10, Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center in Midwest City.
Tickets: https://www.okcciviccenter.com/event-calendar/get-tickets..
A multinational touring cast of 50 professional ballet dancers will perform the Christmas classic.
12. A Drag Queen Christmas
When and where: Dec. 15, Tulsa Theater.
Tickets: https://tulsatheater.com/events/.
"RuPaul's Drag Race" standout Nina West will host the Oklahoma stop on this 36-city tour.
13. 'A Christmas Story: The Musical'
When and where: Dec. 15-18, Chickasha Community Theatre.
Tickets: https://www.chickashatheatre.org.
Based on the treasured 1983 movie, the musical tells the 1940s tale of a boy named Ralphie who tries to convince his parents, teacher and Santa that an official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle would be the perfect Christmas gift.
14. Tequila Songbirds Christmas Show
When and where: Dec. 16, Blue Door.
Tickets: http://www.bluedoorokc.com/calendar.
The local singer-songwriters will flock together to play an all-ages holiday concert.
15. Martina McBride
When and where: Dec. 16, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Tickets: https://www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com/entertainment/hard-rock-live.
The country music star brings her "The Joy of Christmas Tour 2022" to the Sooner State.
16. 'The Oklahoma Nutcracker'
When and where: Dec. 17-18, Nancy O'Brian Center for the Performing Arts in Norman.
Information: www.TicketStorm.com.
Since 2002, Norman Ballet Company has presented this local family favorite, which intertwines Oklahoma history and themes of nature with the traditional storyline and musical score of the original "The Nutcracker." The 20th anniversary production will feature Emilie Gerrity and Chun Wai Chan, guest artists from the New York City Ballet.
17. Cirque Dreams Holidaze
When and where: Dec. 18, BOK Center in Tulsa.
Tickets: https://bokcenter.com/events.
The Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts swings into the Tulsa arena for one night only.
18. Red Dirt Rangers’ Kids Christmas Show
When and where: Dec. 18, Blue Door.
Tickets: http://www.bluedoorokc.com/calendar.
The venerable Payne County band brings its long-running holiday gig back to the renowned OKC listening room.
19. A Magical Cirque Christmas
When and where: Dec. 22-23, Civic Center.
Tickets: https://www.okcbroadway.com.
Magician Lucy Darling will serve as hostess to a showcase of spellbinding performers and cirque artists, accompanied by favorite holiday music performed live.
Features Writer Brandy "BAM" McDonnell has covered Oklahoma's arts, entertainment and cultural sectors for The Oklahoman for 20 years. Reach her at bmcdonnell@oklahoman.com,www.facebook.com/brandybammcdonnell and twitter.com/BAMOK. Support her work by signing up for her See & Do Oklahoma newsletter and subscribing to The Oklahoman.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 19 holiday shows in OKC this December - from Nutcracker to Polar Express
