Top 10 Stage Performances to Stream December 20-January 1

Date: December 17, 2024

Sara Bareilles in concert at the Kennedy Center, which is streaming on New Year's Eve. Photo by Mauricio Castro.

Even though in-person theatre and dance are back in full swing, in the name of accessibility we’re continuing to round up performances to watch online from the comfort of home. Our carefully curated list spotlights the ten best performances to stream over the holidays, Friday, December 20 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for free or at low cost.

The Bang Group: Nut/Cracked

This whimsical deconstruction of the Tchaikovsky ballet returns to 92NY for three performances this month, but if you can’t make it in person, a recording will be available to stream for 72 hours. Choreographed by David Parker for his troupe The Bang Group, Nut/Cracked is not for purists. He takes a playful approach to this old chestnut filled with tap, disco and vaudeville performed to jazzy arrangements of the score by Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller.

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Mischief Movie Night (In)

Live-streaming Friday, 20 December, Saturday, December 21 and Monday, December 23 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 22 at 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. ET for £15-£25, approximately $19-$32.

Mischief Theatre, the uproarious British troupe behind NYC’s long-running comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, presents a live improvised movie, 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. Live-streamed directly from London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

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Alley Theatre: A Christmas Carol

Live-streaming Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 21 at 2:30 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, December 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET for $39.

Houston’s celebrated Alley Theatre is presenting its spirited take on Charles Dickens’ heartwarming holiday ghost story of redemption and you can watch this weekend’s performances at home courtesy of The League of Live Stream Theater. Enjoy this traditional take on the classic set in Victorian England.

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Live from 54 Below: Christine Pedi: Snow Bizness

Live-streaming Monday, December 23 at 9:45 p.m. ET for $28.50.

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Live from 54 Below: Melissa Errico: ‘Twas The Night After Christmas

Live-streaming Sunday, December 29 at 7 p.m. ET for $28.50.

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Summoners Ensemble Theatre: A Christmas Carol

Every December, John Kevin Jones stars in this singular solo adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic mounted at the 19th-century Merchant’s House Museum in the East Village. In this historic setting, he plays Dickens performing all the characters, just like the Victorian author did back in the day. If you can’t make it to the in-person production this season, you can stream a recording at home.

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PBS: Sara Bareilles: New Year’s Eve with the National Symphony Orchestra & Friends

Pop star, Waitress creator and Into the Woods Tony nominee Sara Bareilles performed a career-spanning concert at DC’s Kennedy Center back in September and you can catch a recording on New Year’s Eve. The 90-minute performance includes all of her hits and special guest appearances by Rufus Wainwright and Hamilton Tony winner Renée Elise Goldsberry. Busy on December 31? The program will be rebroadcast several times throughout the week and is also available to steam online.

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Raven Snook is the Editor of TDF Stages. Follow her on Facebook at @Raven.Snook. Follow TDF on Facebook at @TDFNYC.