During the performing arts season, arts editor Jim Higgins recommends promising music, dance and theater productions to see in the coming month. Look for these stories in the newspaper the final Sunday of the month. They will post online the preceding Thursday at jsonline.com/entertainment/arts.
Each show and concert listed in this selection of December performing arts highlights has something to say about the holidays. But that something covers a wide range, from sacred Marian music to naughty-but-nice comedy.
If you’re using the list to help plan a holiday outing, please remember that several Christmas-themed productions opened in November and are still running, including Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” and First Stage’s “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!”
Also, my Journal Sentinel colleague Piet Levy has made a list of Christmas concerts on the pop and rock side, including ones by The Commercialists and Voctave that might interest readers of my list. Check out his story at jsonline.com.
Here are 12 theater, music and dance performances you can enjoy in the Milwaukee area in December. I would never tell you that these are the only shows worth seeing here during that time period.
‘Resounding Joy: Christmas at the Basilica,’ Bel Canto Chorus
Bel Canto settles into the beautiful basilica for four performances of its holiday concert of carols and classics. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, noon and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St. Visit belcanto.org or call (414) 481-8801.
‘The Nutcracker,’ Milwaukee Ballet
Welcome to Year Three of Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink’s reimagining of the holiday dance extravaganza, which has bright new costumes (even the rats and mice look sharp) and more closely ties the second act to the storyline of the first. Nearly 200 dancers perform in one of the “Nutcracker” casts, including 142 children. Dec. 6-26. Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water. Visit milwaukeeballet.org or call (414) 902-2103. Note: The 6 p.m. Dec. 11 show is Milwaukee Ballet’s annual sensory-friendly performance.
Holiday concerts, Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra
Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra is celebrating both the holidays and its 125th anniversary with a pair of concerts. The group began in 1900 under the name Bonne Amie Musical Circle. It has enjoyed remarkable continuity: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee classical guitar professor René Izquierdo is only its sixth musical director through that long span. The varied program will include a new work for the orchestra by composer Josh Schmidt and a guest appearance by chanteuse Robin Pluer. 7 p.m. Dec. 6, Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, 2366 N. 80th St., Wauwatosa, and 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Visit milwaukeemandolinorchestra.org.
‘The Flamenco Nutcracker,’ Studio K Flamenco
Continuing an annual traditional, Studio K Flamenco presents two performances of a “Nutcracker” where every dance is Spanish dance. This family-oriented show lasts about 70 minutes without intermission. 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6, South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave. South Milwaukee. Visit flamenconutcracker.com.
‘All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914,” Vanguard Milwaukee
Vanguard Milwaukee extends its annual tradition of performing this a cappella choral musical about unexpected moments of peace shared by English and German soldiers on the Western Front during World War I. Stage director Jill Anna Ponasik joins returning music director Paula Foley Tillen to get this year’s show on its feet. Notable cast members include Ryan Cappleman, Seth K. Hale, Nicholas Lin, Joe Picchetti and Zachary Thomas Woods. Dec. 11-22. Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Ave. Visit vanguardmke.com.
‘Black Nativity,’ Black Arts MKE
For the 10th consecutive year, a local, intergenerational cast is performing the show that Langston Hughes created in 1961 to tell the story of Jesus’ birth through a Black lens, drawing heavily on gospel music. Veteran Milwaukee theater artist Sheri Williams Pannell directs this year’s cast, which includes the powerful singer Cynthia Cobb. “Black Nativity” is an openly biblical and Christian show, in a celebratory way that aims to communicate awe and excitement. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall, 929 N. Water St. Visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.
Carols & Classics, Florentine Opera
The Florentine’s Baumgartner Studio Artists — soprano Jamila Drecker-Waxman, mezzo-soprano Lauryn Nelson, tenor Zachary Taylor, baritone David Drettwan and pianist Daniel Weber — sing an hour of holiday music, with a guest appearance by Milwaukee Children’s Choir. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 914 E. Knapp St. Visit florentineopera.org.
Holiday Pops, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Associate conductor Ryan Tani leads the MSO and Chorus in a program of seasonal music, including the traditional audience sing-along. Guest performers include soprano LaKisha Jones and the Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. Visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605.
‘Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play,’ Forte Theatre Company
Travel back through time and space to the southwest suburbs, where Forte will give this Christmas story a 1940s radio theater treatment, complete with a Foley artist who creates live sound effects. Forte founder Randall Dodge directs. There will Christmas carols, too. 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, noon and 3 p.m. Dec. 14, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, noon and 3 p.m. Dec. 21. Martin Luther High School Fine Arts Center, 5201 S. 76th St., Greendale. Visit ForteTheatreCompany.org or call (414) 366-3634.
‘Gratia,’ Aperi Animam
The Milwaukee-based vocal ensemble that specializes in sacred early music has created a holiday program of works associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus, by Tallis, Josquin, Britten and others. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, St. Jude the Apostle, 734 Glenview Ave., Wauwatosa; 2 p.m. Dec. 14, All Saints’ Cathedral, 818 E. Juneau Ave. Visit aperianimam.com.
‘A Very Deadly Constructivists Holiday,’ The Constructivists
The storefront-style company that embraces dark catharsis promises a new version of its holiday sketch show blending “satire, musical parody, physical comedy, and theatrical boldness.” Patrick Schmitz is the lead writer this year, with Constructivists founder Jaimelyn Gray directing. 8 p.m. Dec. 18-20. Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. Visit theconstructivists.org.
Cherish the Ladies, Schaeur Arts Center
The long-running traditional Irish music band, led by flutist and whistle player Joanie Madden, brings its holiday show to Washington County. 7 p.m. Dec. 18. Schauer Arts Center, 147 N. Rural St., Hartford. Visit schauercenter.org or call (262) 670-0560.
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