Forget the skyscrapers: This time of year, New York City sparkles with lights all over, from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to Macy’s decked-out window displays. Dazzling décor shines on stage too. There are so many performances to see during the holiday season, whether they’re traditional Broadway musicals or limited-run productions. Here are a few shows to sprinkle in during the most wonderful time of the year.
A Christmas Carol
Stage veterans Andrea Martin (Pippin) and LaChanze (The Color Purple) star as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs. Fezziwig, respectively, in this reimagined production of Charles Dickens’s literary classic. The musical features a book by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) with a dozen of the most cherished Christmas carols, including “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” A Christmas Carol began previews at the Lyceum Theatre November 7 and runs for eight weeks only, until January 5.
Slava’s Snowshow
Think of it as a modern circus. Slava’s Snowshow is an immersive production that’s fun for the whole family. Recommended for ages 8 and older, it features a troupe of clowns known for their wordless antics. Each scene paints a magical picture that will have audiences spellbound. Slava’s Snowshow first premiered in 1996, and since its debut has toured around the world. The holiday spectacle returns to New York for the first time in a decade. It began performances November 11 and runs through January 5 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
More magic hits Broadway. The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays joins Derren Brown: Secret as one of the most mind-blowing performances on stage this winter. This year’s America’s Got Talent semifinalists Dom Chambers and Eric Chien join The Illusionists for the jaw-dropping experience, now playing for the fifth time on Broadway. The show runs November 29 through January 5 at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Harry Connick Jr. – A Celebration of Cole Porter
Harry Connick Jr. returns to Broadway for the first time since 2012, when he starred in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever opposite Jessie Mueller (Waitress). It marks his third special-event concert on Broadway. This holiday show will feature songs by legendary composer Cole Porter and his contribution to the Great American Songbook. Porter’s songs include some of Broadway’s greatest, including “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Too Darn Hot,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” The show features a 25-piece orchestra and a special projection set design. The special three-week run begins at the Nederlander Theatre December 7 and will conclude December 29.
’Twas the Night Before …
Another Christmas staple, but this production is performed like never before: It’s Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas show. Join Isabella, a curious girl who has become jaded by the hoopla surrounding Christmas, as she is whisked away to an upside-down, inside-out world where she meets characters inspired by the original timeless poem. The show plays the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden from December 12 through December 29.