Festive Theatre Offerings! What's Onstage in #yeg in December!

Seeing as it's opening night for the return of the Citadel's in-person A Christmas Carol, I thought I would highlight some of the shows that are available to Edmonton audiences this month. There are a few different things to entertain you and get you in the holiday mood! 

First is the aforementioned A Christmas Carol onstage in the Citadel's Maclab Theatre. It's a relatively new adaptation from Alberta playwright David van Belle set mid-century with Ted Dykstra playing the curmudgeon Scrooge. It features many local theatre favourites, with Julian Arnold as Marley and Patricia Zentilli as Emily (not Bob) Cratchit. It's filled with live performances of music from the era and shakes up the traditional story. Carol is a family favourite and is recommended for children 6+ to adults of all ages.  Remember to bring your donation for the Food Bank as this is an opportunity to give while you get a great night at the theatre! A Christmas Carol is onstage now until December 23rd and tickets range from $68.00 to $128.00 and can be purchased here. 

Also in December, Shumka is back onstage for three shows at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, December 17 & 18, for Shumka's Nutcracker.  A luxurious Christmas performance loved by everyone, but Shumka's Nutcracker is also a true Edmonton production, created and performed by local artists. Featuring ballet, folk dance, and character dance, the show is a celebration of Tchaikovsky's beloved Christmas classic which blends the grace and lyrical nature of classical movement with the strength and power of Ukrainian character dance. Tickets are on sale now starting at $25 and can be purchased here.

Opening next week at Walterdale Theatre is 5@50 by Brad Fraser. This one is not for the kids. Billed as a raw and darkly comedic portrayal of turning fifty in contemporary society, and of the friendships we can’t live without. Acclaimed playwright and Edmonton native Brad Fraser (Kill Me Now, Love and Human Remains) wrote 5@50 for all the “excellent middle-aged actresses who were having trouble finding parts.” This production was slated to go onstage shortly after the shut down in March 2020 and was put on hold until now. It also marks the Edmonton and Albertan Premiere of the play! 5@50 runs from December 8-18, with tickets at $25.00 which can be purchased here. Please note: There is reduced capacity due to Covid and tickets must be purchased in advance. 

Another Edmonton favourite is also returning, Whizgiggling Productions' The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant... Ever! I've seen this show in previous incarnations and it is both hilarious and touching. Silliness abounds and it is terrific for kids! Trouble is on the horizon when the Herdmans show up for auditions for the annual Christmas Pageant, after all they are the "worst kids in the world". You can catch the show live onstage at the Backstage Theatre December 17-19 with tickets ranging from $24-$30 each. Tickets are also available for an online performance on December 22-23. You can purchase your tickets here. 

I hope that you will be able to catch one or more of these shows over the next month and that it helps you celebrate the season! 

A Couple of Christmas Theatrical Experiences!

Over the holidays, I managed to take in a few shows.  Early in the season I saw A Christmas Carol and She Loves Me, which I talked about in earlier posts. To keep the momentum going, I also took in The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant Ever  presented by Whizgiggling Productions at the Backstage Theatre and then Jack and the Beanstock (a pantomime) at Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park. Both were a lot of fun.  We took the boys to The Best Little Newfoundland Pageant Ever and I was so glad we did.  They giggled and laughed and had a great time watching this show. It's a wonderful story about a Christmas Pageant taken over by a family of troublemakers.  As the pageant comes together those problem children both learn and teach in a way that is simply hilarious. It's also full of terrific live music. This was the 6th year for this show and I hope that it will be back again next year.  Definitely worth a return visit. I wished we had taken the boys to the panto Jack and the Beanstalk as well, but I had thought it was aimed at younger kids. I should have known better. In the tradition of the British Panto there was plenty for all levels of comprehension. The innuendo-laced parts of the script went well over the heads of the younger audience members and the older members had a great time laughing. The kids were kept well entertained by the general silliness and Star Wars references. Another great choice and since this was the Park's third Panto, I hope to catch next season's, as well. But next year I will take the boys, too!