Katelynn Johnston
‘Twas the weeks before Christmas, and all around the world, Theatre Nerds everywhere sang, dance and twirled. Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care, hoping Santa would deliver their Tony Award there. And while we can’t promise Santa will bring a Tony this year, we have a few festive musicals that promise holiday cheer.
Here are six musicals sure to get you in the holiday mood:
1. ‘White Christmas’
This musical is everything that was so magical about Old Hollywood. The catchy songs, classic dance numbers, gorgeous costumes and old-school romance will melt your heart this holiday season. The live stage version usually makes the rounds in a national tour and also plays at regional theatres around the world during the holidays. Not able to catch it live? The film version is just as charming, with all-star performances from Hollywood legends Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.
2. ‘Holiday Inn’
Another classic charmer, “Holiday Inn” is sure to have you dancing. Interestingly, the film version of the show first featured the song “White Christmas,” sung by Bing Crosby, and was so popular that it spurred the creation of the musical film by the same name a decade later. “High School Musical’s” Corbin Bleu has put his dancing shoes back on to star in “Holiday Inn” on Broadway. While the musical differs from the film versions, both are a delightful dose of nostalgia for the holiday season.
3. ‘Elf’
Theatre Nerds have known for years that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. With that notion in mind, “Elf the Musical” was created for the Broadway stage in 2010 and still finds its way onto stages all over the country during the holidays. NBC also created a stop-motion version of the musical back in 2014, featuring the voice of Jim Parsons, aka Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory.”
4. ‘A Christmas Story’
Ralphie and the infamous leg lamp come to life in the musical stage adaptation of the beloved Christmas movie. The show has been enjoying a national tour this year, ending in Michigan at the end of December. You can also try to catch the show in one of the many regional productions that take place every year as well.
5. ‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical’
There’s a reason Dr. Seuss’ delightfully odd cast of characters has endured for all these years. Generations have grown up with the whimsical world of Whoville and the well-known songs that remind us of childhood Christmases. With two popular film versions, the original cartoon and a live-action film, it was only natural that a stage show be created as well. Check your local theatre scene for a live stage version, or curl up and enjoy one of the two film versions!
6. ‘Charlie Brown Christmas The Musical’
If you happen to live in the Chicago area, you’re in luck! Catch all of your favorite Peanuts characters at the Broadway Playhouse throughout the holiday season. Charles Schultz’s Christmas classic has stood the test of time for more than 50 years, and it just wouldn’t be the holidays without his jazzy piano tunes. If you don’t own a copy of the original film, you can catch it on Dec. 22 on ABC.
