Best Stage Performances to Watch December 23-January 3
In-person theatre may be out of commission until 2021, but there are plenty of virtual performances to enjoy over the holidays. Behold, 12 days of Christmas picks, from Wednesday, December 23 to Sunday, January 3, including Christmas Carols, holiday spectacles, the viral sensation Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, lavish operas and other shows to watch online from the comfort of your couch for free or at low cost.
Ongoing Throughout the Holidays
The National Theatre: Dick Whittington – a Pantomime for 2020 – watch for FREE until Sunday, December 27
Pantomimes—broad, musical takes on fairy tales filled with topical humor—are a staple of the holiday season at British theatres. This week, London’s National Theatre presents one of the most popular pantos, Dick Whittington, which was filmed live on stage earlier this month. The rag-to-riches story of the title character who became mayor of London, this edition has been updated for 2020, so expect lots of campy jokes about plagues and politics. Watch for free until Sunday, December 27 on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel though donations are encouraged.
PBS: All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 – watch for FREE until Thursday, December 31
A powerful work of docutheatre, All Is Calm commemorates the Christmas Truce of 1914, an unofficial ceasefire that brought troops from opposing sides of World War I together on December 24 for a night of caroling and companionship. Created by Minneapolis’ Theater Latté Da, the show interweaves excerpts from letters and journals of soldiers who were there with trench songs and Christmas tunes performed a cappella. I saw this emotional piece at the Sheen Center two years ago and I get misty just thinking about it. It perfectly captures the spirit of the season: peace on earth and good will toward men. Watch for free until Thursday, December 31 on PBS’ website.
Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce… Pandemic! – watch until Saturday, January 2, 2021
Marvel at Taylor Mac’s virtual edition of their annual seasonal extravaganza Holiday Sauce. In the better-seen-than-described show, the MacArthur genius and Pulitzer finalist (A 24-Decade History of Popular Music) blends music, film, burlesque and indescribable fabulousness for a jaw-dropping, NC-17-rated holiday revue. Backed by a full band, Mac slays songs and welcomes special guests, including Thornetta Davis, Steffanie Christi’an, Tigger! Ferguson, Dusty Childers, Sister Rosemary Chicken, Glenn Marla and Timothy White Eagle. The costumes alone—designed by Mac’s longtime collaborator Machine Dazzle—are worth tuning in for. Tickets are pay-what-you-can though a $10 minimum is suggested; the recording is viewable until Saturday, January 2, 2021.
Classical Theatre of Harlem: A Christmas Carol in Harlem – watch for FREE until Sunday, January 3, 2021
While there’s a cornucopia of Christmas Carols streaming this season, the Classical Theatre of Harlem‘s version offers a modern-day, gospel-infused spin on Charles Dickens’ holiday redemption tale. Recorded at Aaron Davis Hall last year, the show cleverly examines the ramifications of gentrification, making the story feel more urgent and poignant than ever. Watch for free until Sunday, January 3, 2021 on the theatre’s website though donations are encouraged.
Jefferson Mays in A Christmas Carol – watch until Sunday, January 3, 2021
Jefferson Mays is a master at playing multiple characters in the same show. He won a Tony Award for doing just that in I Am My Own Wife (40 different roles!), and earned a nomination for portraying eight members of the ill-fated D’Ysquith family in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. He’s at it again in this solo adaptation of A Christmas Carol in which he plays everyone from Scrooge to Tiny Tim. Originally mounted at LA’s Geffen Playhouse in 2018, the production was reimagined for digital consumption by director Michael Arden and costume and set designer Dane Laffrey, who restaged and recorded it during quarantine at the stunning United Palace theatre in Washington Heights. The result is a fresh and intimate take on Dickens’ timeless tale featuring Mays in a tour-de-force performance—make that performances. Tickets are $50 and a portion of the proceeds goes to TDF! The recording is viewable until Sunday, January 3, 2021.
New York City Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker – watch until Sunday, January 3, 2021
New York City Ballet presents its Christmas classic The Nutcracker choreographed by George Balanchine. This legendary version of Tchaikovsky’s fantastical ballet was recorded last year during its annual holiday engagement at Lincoln Center and stars NYCB principal dancers Maria Kowroski as the Sugarplum Fairy, Tyler Angle as her Cavalier and Megan Fairchild as Dewdrop. A lavish production with gorgeous sets and costumes, it’s a must-see seasonal sight for NYC dance lovers. Now families across the country can enjoy. Tickets are $25; the recording is viewable until Sunday, January 3, 2021.
Wednesday, December 23
Merchant’s House: A Christmas Carol
On Wednesday at 3 and 8 p.m. ET, the ultimate old-school version of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic goes virtual this year, with John Kevin Jones performing his one-man Christmas Carol at the 19th-century Merchant’s House Museum in the East Village. In this historic setting, Jones plays Dickens performing all of the characters, just like the Victorian author did back in the day. Register to receive the FREE viewing link; a $30 donation is suggested.
BalletCollective: The Nutcracker at Wethersfield
On Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, earlier this month, BalletCollective presented an immersive in-person mounting of The Nutcracker at the secluded Wethersfield Estate in Amenia, NY. Now audiences around the globe can stream choreographer Troy Schumacher‘s critically acclaimed iteration of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic, featuring a company of 23 dancers, most of whom are members of New York City Ballet. Watch for FREE until Saturday, December 26 online.
The Metropolitan Opera: The Magic Flute
On Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, ever since the shutdown began, the Metropolitan Opera has been sharing productions from its Live in HD series nightly at 7:30 p.m. ET. But it also presents weekly student streams that debut on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET. These productions have been specially selected for families, and Zoom education sessions leading up to the screening teach school-age kids about opera. This week’s offering is Tony winner Julie Taymor‘s eye-popping, puppet-filled mounting of Mozart’s fantastical fable The Magic Flute. Condensed into one act and performed in English, this 2006 production stars Nathan Gunn, Ying Huang, Matthew Polenzani, Erika Miklosa and René Pape. Watch for FREE until Friday, December 25 at 5 p.m. ET on the Metropolitan Opera’s website.
The Metropolitan Opera: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Tony winner Bartlett Sher‘s sparkling mounting of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini’s comic masterpiece about Figaro, a resourceful barber who helps a couple out of a hairy situation. Christopher Maltman plays the sassy stylist in this 2014 production alongside Isabel Leonard, Lawrence Brownlee, Maurizo Muraro and Paata Burchuladze. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Cendrillon, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Thursday, December 24
The Old Vic: A Christmas Carol
On Thursday at 8 a.m. ET, it’s your last chance to catch this magical mounting of Dickens’ holiday redemption tale. Adapted by Tony-winning playwright Jack Thorne and staged by Tony-winning director Matthew Warchus, the show incorporates beautifully sung Christmas carols and insightful humor into the action. The production originated at London’s Old Vic in 2017 and has been a holiday staple ever since—it even crossed the pond . Walking Dead star Andrew Lincoln headlines this year’s edition, which will be performed live on the Old Vic stage to an empty theatre and streamed to an at-home audience. Tickets start at £20, approximately $27. Closed captions and audio description are available.
Merchant’s House: A Christmas Carol
On Thursday at 5 p.m. ET, it’s your last chance to catch the ultimate old-school version of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, with John Kevin Jones performing his one-man Christmas Carol at the 19th-century Merchant’s House Museum in the East Village for a virtual at-home audience. Jones plays Dickens performing all of the characters, just like the Victorian author did back in the day. Register to receive the FREE viewing link; a $30 donation is suggested.
The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: Franco Zeffirelli’s smashing staging of La Bohème, Puccini’s romantic tragedy about love, bromance and art. Teresa Stratas, Renata Scotto, José Carreras, Richard Stilwell and James Morris star in this 1982 production. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Friday, December 25
The Shows Must Go On!: Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
On Friday at 2 p.m. ET, the Shows Must Go On! streams Jeff Wayne‘s musical adaptation of The War of the Worlds. Originally a hit concept album in the ’70s, Wayne’s take on H.G. Wells’ sci-fi classic about a Martian invasion spawned a high-tech touring iteration in the 21st century. This is a recording of the original stage production in 2006 and features a virtual Richard Burton, flesh-and-blood performances by Justin Hayward and Russell Watson, and eye-popping visual effects. Watch for free until Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET on YouTube though donations are encouraged.
The Metropolitan Opera: Hansel and Gretel
On Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents its eye-popping, English-language production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel featuring oversize cartoon chefs, singing trees and an unforgettable witch’s kitchen. Alice Coote and Christine Schäfer star as the title siblings in this 2008 production. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, La Bohème, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Stars in the House: Charles Busch
On Friday at 8 p.m. ET, Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley spend Christmas Day with performer, playwright, wit and drag legend Charles Busch, which is sure to be a fabulous and festive time. Watch for FREE on YouTube though donations to The Actors Fund are encouraged. For the rest of the holiday season, Stars in the House will host celebrity game nights every evening at 8 p.m. ET save for Sundays, so tune in on YouTube if you’re in a playful mood.
New Works Virtual Festival: On the Farce Day of Christmas
On Friday at 8 p.m. ET, the ambitious New Works Virtual Festival is showcasing 20 plays in 20 days, with a debut every evening at 8 p.m. ET through Christmas. The series ends tonight with Ken Levine‘s On the Farce Day of Christmas, about a divorcée who pays her ex to pretend they’re still married for the holidays. George Wendt, Lynne Stewart, Kerry Butler and Max Crumm star. Watch for FREE on YouTube.
Saturday, December 26
The Metropolitan Opera: The Merry Widow
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Tony-winning director Susan Stroman‘s delightful staging of Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow, starring opera legend Renée Fleming as the title character, who’s wooed by Nathan Gunn‘s Danilo, an old flame with ulterior motives. Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara costars. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Hansel and Gretel, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Feinstein’s/54 Below: Sondheim Unplugged
On Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, for the past decade, cabaret impresario Phil Geoffrey Bond has hosted Sondheim Unplugged, a series of concerts starring NYC stage favorites crooning songs by the musical theatre legend to piano accompaniment. Tonight, he brings the show online with a performance filmed earlier this month at the swanky Feinstein’s/54 Below. Go into the web with old friends Darius de Haas, Natalie Douglas, Telly Leung, T. Oliver Reid, Nicholas Rodriguez and Lucia Spina as they remind us why Sondheim is great company! Tickets are $25 and the recording is viewable until Saturday, January 9.
Sunday, December 27
Mischief Movie Night In!
On Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, Mischief Theatre, the uproarious British troupe behind NYC’s long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, presents a live improvised movie night, with the audience tasked with suggesting the title, genre and setting. Beyond lots of laughs, no one has any idea of what to expect—not even the performers. There are two ticket tiers, one just to watch, the other to participate with guffaws and cheers. Tickets start at £10, approximately $13.50.
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Cox and Box
On Sunday at 7 p.m. ET, the celebrated New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present Cox and Box, Sullivan and Burnand’s farcical one-act operetta about a pair of lodgers with opposite work schedules who don’t realize they’re renting the same room. Recorded during quarantine, the virtual production stars stalwart company members Daniel Greenwood, David Macaluso and Matthew Wages. Tickets are $25.
The Metropolitan Opera: Falstaff
On Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Verdi’s Falstaff, featuring a libretto by Arrigo Boito inspired by Shakespeare’s comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor as well as scenes from Henry IV. Ambrogio Maestri is the lascivious and louche title character, who’s outwitted by the clever ladies around him, played by Angela Meade, Stephanie Blythe and Jennifer Johnson Cano in this 2013 production. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, The Merry Widow, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Monday, December 28
Mischief Movie Night In!
On Monday at 3 p.m. ET, Mischief Theatre, the uproarious British troupe behind NYC’s long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, presents a live improvised movie night, with the audience tasked with suggesting the title, genre and setting. Beyond lots of laughs, no one has any idea of what to expect—not even the performers. There are two ticket tiers, one just to watch, the other to participate with guffaws and cheers. Tickets start at £10, approximately $13.50.
The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème
On Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares another iconic mounting of La Bohème, starring Luciano Pavarotti and Renata Scotto as the young lovers at the center of Puccini’s romantic tragedy. Maralin Niska, Ingvar Wixell and Paul Plishka costar in Fabrizio Melano’s 1977 production. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Falstaff, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Tuesday, December 29
Mischief Movie Night In!
On Tuesday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET, Mischief Theatre, the uproarious British troupe behind NYC’s long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, presents a live improvised movie night, with the audience tasked with suggesting the title, genre and setting. Beyond lots of laughs, no one has any idea of what to expect—not even the performers. There are two ticket tiers, one just to watch, the other to participate with guffaws and cheers. Tickets start at £10, approximately $13.50.
The Metropolitan Opera: Tosca
On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: its 1978 mounting of Puccini’s Tosca, starring Shirley Verrett as the title diva, Luciano Pavarotti as her artist lover and Cornell MacNeil as the man who stands in the way of their happiness. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, La Bohème, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Wednesday, December 30
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Cox and Box
On Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET, the celebrated New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present Cox and Box, Sullivan and Burnand’s farcical one-act operetta about a pair of lodgers with opposite work schedules who don’t realize they’re renting the same room. Recorded during quarantine, the virtual production stars stalwart company members Daniel Greenwood, David Macaluso and Matthew Wages. Tickets are $25 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount.
Mischief Movie Night In!
On Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, Mischief Theatre, the uproarious British troupe behind NYC’s long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, presents a live improvised movie night, with the audience tasked with suggesting the title, genre and setting. Beyond lots of laughs, no one has any idea of what to expect—not even the performers. There are two ticket tiers, one just to watch, the other to participate with guffaws and cheers. Tickets start at £10, approximately $13.50.
The Metropolitan Opera: Rigoletto
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: its thrilling 1981 production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, with Louis Quilico as the title character, a court jester who tries to protect his innocent daughter (Christiane Eda-Pierre) from Luciano Pavarotti‘s lascivious Duke. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Tosca, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Thursday, December 31
Mischief Movie Night In!
On Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, Mischief Theatre, the uproarious British troupe behind NYC’s long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, presents a live improvised movie night, with the audience tasked with suggesting the title, genre and setting. Beyond lots of laughs, no one has any idea of what to expect—not even the performers. There are two ticket tiers, one just to watch, the other to participate with guffaws and cheers. Tickets start at £10, approximately $13.50.
The Metropolitan Opera’s New Year’s Eve Gala
On Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, since the shutdown began almost 10 months ago, The Metropolitan Opera has been screening productions every night for free. Now it’s time to give back. To raise much-needed funds, the Met is hosting a New Year’s Eve benefit, with sopranos Angel Blue and Pretty Yende, and tenors Javier Camarena and Matthew Polenzani performing live from Germany’s stunning Parktheater im Kurhaus Göggingen. You can find the complete set list online, but if you prefer to be surprised, rest assured that Verdi, Puccini and Rossini are well-represented. Tickets are $20; a recording will be viewable until Thursday, January 14.
The Metropolitan Opera: Ernani
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: Pier Luigi Samaritani’s 1983 mounting of Verdi’s Ernani, starring Luciano Pavarotti in the title role of the wronged nobleman turned bandit, and Leona Mitchell as his lady love. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Rigoletto, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Cox and Box
On Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, the celebrated New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present Cox and Box, Sullivan and Burnand’s farcical one-act operetta about a pair of lodgers with opposite work schedules who don’t realize they’re renting the same room. Recorded during quarantine, the virtual production stars stalwart company members Daniel Greenwood, David Macaluso and Matthew Wages. Tickets are $25.
Friday, January 1
The Metropolitan Opera: Il Trovatore
On Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: its 1988 mounting of Verdi’s Il Trovatore featuring Luciano Pavarotti as Manrico, the emotional troubadour. Éva Marton, Dolora Zajick and Sherrill Milnes costar. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Ernani, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Saturday, January 2
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Cox and Box
On Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET, the celebrated New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present Cox and Box, Sullivan and Burnand’s farcical one-act operetta about a pair of lodgers with opposite work schedules who don’t realize they’re renting the same room. Recorded during quarantine, the virtual production stars stalwart company members Daniel Greenwood, David Macaluso and Matthew Wages. Tickets are $25 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount.
The Metropolitan Opera: Un Ballo in Maschera
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: Piero Faggioni’s 1991 mounting of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera , with Luciano Pavarotti as a ruler in love with his best friend’s wife. Aprile Millo, Leo Nucci and Florence Quivar costar. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Il Trovatore, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Sunday, January 3
The Metropolitan Opera: L’Elisir d’Amore
On Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: L’Elisir d’Amore, Donizetti’s charming rom-com about a spirited landowner, a lovesick peasant and a purported love potion that may lead to romance. Kathleen Battle, Luciano Pavarotti, Juan Pons and Enzo Darawith star in this 1991 mounting. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Un Ballo in Maschera, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
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Top image: Tony winner Jefferson Mays in A Christmas Carol, which is streaming throughout the holidays. Photo courtesy of the production.
RAVEN SNOOK