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New York Theater: A Holiday Scoop for Stages Past, Present & Future

Winter 2015 and the season of seasons is upon us, which explains the influx of holiday shows in New York bursting with lords a leaping, ladies dancing, and too many avian types (partridges, turtledoves, hens, geese, etc.) to count. And so, taking my cue from Dickens—and yes, his A Christmas Carol is part of the holiday melting pot—I give you a critic’s eye-view of select holiday and post-holiday theater buzz, New York-style!

THE PAST

Okay, I jumped the Dickensian shark: Forget The Past (the ghosts of shows come and departed regardless of reason). What’s done is done, what’s gone is gone, and we’ll deal with  consequences and/or the revivals when they roll into town five or ten years from now.

THE PRESENT

Riding the holiday-quaff-a-thon with gallons of eggnog-flavored buzz flowing freely here are the key contenders, both family-friendly and not so much...!

new york winter theater rockettes

Those timeless treasures, The Rockettes, are once again dazzling their way through the Radio City Christmas Spectacular through January 3rd. This year, though—unlike seasons past—these divas of the high kick have been extra-special busy, throwing the red and green light switch at the Empire State Building; teaming up with City Bakery for a naughty-but-nice dark chocolate-peppermint-marshmallow hot chocolate; launching their own bit of icon history as a Rockette wax statuette at Madame Tussauds; and doing even more photo-opping promos to launch Magnolia Bakery’s official Rockette Red Velvet cupcake “illustrating the Rockettes in some of their most memorable costumes” —a treat that comes with a discount show voucher.

Also up and running as of December 9th: Elf the Musical is Madison Square Garden’s tip of the Santa Claus hat to families looking for a show kids will love and parents will appreciate (in a knowing, heartwarming, grownup way!). And if you doubt the show’s innate elfin magic, consider this: during its 2010-2011 run at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Elf the Musical broke Broadway records more than once!

For adventurous adults who want to mix up their holiday theatergoing with a buffet of decadent treats that having nothing to do with bakery items—and certainly nothing to do with children—there’s all kinds of naughty going on at the Minetta Lane Theatre, where Company XIV’s wholesome-shattering take on The Nutcracker (Nutcracker Rouge) is heating things up in the West Village.

holiday theater nyc 2015 the nutcracker

The Nutcracker/Photo © Paul Kolnik

Incidentally, if you’re a Nutcracker fan, prurient or otherwise, 2015 is your year, with dozens of versions peppering city stages. Included in this mix are The Yorkville Nutcracker, celebrating its 20th year anniversary with NYC landmarks (12/10 through 12/13 at Hunter College’s The Kaye Playhouse), presented by Dances Patrelle (dancespatrelle.org), Brooklyn Academy of Music’s madcap stylized The Hard Nut (12/12 through 12/20; bam.org), and the always breathtaking George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Lincoln Center’s multi-generational traditionalist rendition, which will be up and running through January 3rd.

fiddler on the roof revival

Meanwhile, on the Chanukah front, leave it to the new revival of Fiddler on the Roof to kick off the holiday’s first night (and day) in generous holiday style, starting at 11:30am on Sunday, December 6th at Dorot (171 W. 85th St.), where members of the cast will perform “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset” and visit with senior attendees (DorotUSA.org).

Moving on to 1pm, at Macy’s Herald SquareAdam Kantor, Samantha Massell, Melanie Moore, and Alexandra Silber will perform “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “Miracle of Miracles.” Elisa Stein, wife of Fiddler’s book writer, the late Joseph Stein, will read Sholem Aleichem’s tales which form the basis for the musical. [Worth noting: while supplies last, attendees can receive a voucher good for a pair of Fiddler tickets with any $100 Macy’s purchase.]

At 2pm at The Museum at Eldridge Street, Fiddler lyricist Sheldon Harnick will talk with Alisa Solomon—author of Wonder of Wonders: A Cultural History of Fiddler on the Roof— about his life, career and the making of a musical masterpiece. Also featured: violinist Kate Mollica. A reception with traditional Chanukah follows. (Eldridgestreet.org)

Finally, from 5 to 8pm at Hanucon on 52nd St., Hebro, the gay Jewish social organization, is sponsoring a candle lighting ceremony replete with latkes, drink specials, a DJ, and a performance by the Fiddler cast. The wearing of holiday finery (i.e. Hanukkah sweaters, Star of David necklaces, etc.) is encouraged! (MyHebro.com)

THE FUTURE

kelsey grammar in finding neverland

Photo: Carol Rosegg

Kicking off this category is Finding Neverland—a family favorite with Matthew Morrison playing James M. Barrie, the writer who gave the world Peter Pan—with news of the return of Emmy-winner/Tony-nominee Kelsey Grammer to the dual role he originated: Charles Frohman and Captain Hook. [Grammer has it booked from January 19th through February 28th]. Commented director Diane Paulus, "Kelsey is a treasure of the American theater, and I am beyond thrilled that he will be back in Neverland with us."

Meanwhile, it looks like Jerry Seinfeld is getting ready to set up camp at New York’s historic Beacon Theatre. The comedian, who announced his commitment to once-a-month performances, will launch his first outing on January 7th, followed by ones on February 18th, March 2nd, April 14th, May 5th, and June 8th...with future shows TBA. "My favorite theater in New York to perform in has always been the Beacon. Comedians live for certain houses that just feel ‘alive’ for some reason,” said Seinfeld. “The Beacon is that place for me and I am so excited to make it my new home." Oh, Jerry, there’s no place like home. I only wonder if, like on Seinfeld, there will be a Superman reference in every performance.


And just so you can mark your calendars, so as not to miss the Broadway shows you most covet seeing, here are all the 2016 closing dates that have been posted so far:

JANUARY 3RD

Dames at Sea
Hand to God
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
Sylvia
The Illusionists – Live on Broadway
Thérèse Raquin

JANUARY 10TH

The Gin Game

JANUARY 17TH

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

JANUARY 24TH

Spring Awakening

JANUARY 31ST

China Doll
King Charles III                   

FEBRUARY 14TH

Misery

FEBRUARY 21ST

A View From the Bridge

FEBRUARY 28TH

Fiddler on the Roof

MARCH 27TH

The Color Purple

SEPTEMBER 4TH

Les Miserables

About the Author

City Guide Theatre Editor Griffin Miller moved to New York to pursue an acting/writing career in the 1980s after graduating magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, she has written for The New York Times, For the Bride, Hotels, and a number of other publications, mostly in the areas of travel and performance arts. An active member of The New York Travel Writers Association, she is also a playwright and award-winning collage artist. In addition, she sits on the board of The Lewis Carroll Society of North America. Griffin is married to Richard Sandomir, a reporter for The New York Times.

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