'Tis the 2011-2012 season of The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Christmas carol concerts and other holiday shows in San Francisco. Since this is the Bay Area, we get productions faithful to the originals as well as zany take-offs, which are listed in chronological order below. If you're on a budget, check our Free Christmas and Holiday Events guide. Free or not, nearly all of the holiday offerings are suitable for kids.
Nutcracker Sweets
Nov. 26-Dec. 23, Saturdays & Sundays, at 11 am, 2 pm & 4 pm
Mark Foehringer Dance Project|SF performs a Nutcracker catered to kids: Packed with action (the musicians, for instance, join the dance scenes). Condensed to 50 minutes. Afterward, the dancers meet the audience for pictures and autographs.
At Children's Creativity Museum (formerly Zeum), 221 4th St., San Francisco. Tickets $18-35.
The Golden Girls: The Christmas Episodes
Dec. 1-23; Thursdays-Saturdays, at 8 pm
Four drag queens (Heklina, Cookie Dough, Matthew Martin, Pollo Del Mar) perform Christmas episodes of the 1980s sitcom/cult classic.
At Victoria Theater, 2961 16th St. Tickets $25 in advance; $30 at the door.
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 1-24, various dates
Scrooge (and any humbugs in the audience) learns important lessons from the Christmas ghosts and Tiny Tim, in Dickens’ immortal story.
American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary. Tickets $27 and up.
Rejoice!
Dec. 8-24, 28-31
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre presents the world premiere of a new gospel retelling of the Christmas Story.
At Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, 450 Post St. Tickets: $30-53.
San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker
Dec. 9-27, various dates
San Francisco Ballet has special claim to the magical Christmastime ballet that's produced in cities nationwide: It was the first company to dance Nutcracker in America. Before you see the show, flip through the company's cool, online Nutcracker Guide to Our City, which leads you through director Helgi Tomasson's production, set in San Francisco during the 1915 World's Fair.
At War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. Tickets $22-295.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Dec. 10-23, various dates
The Grammy-winning, home-grown, all-male ensemble sings melodies of peace, inspiration and joy in churches and cathedrals around the Bay Area.
At various San Francisco Bay Area venues. Ticket prices vary.
Ballet San Jose's The Nutcracker
Dec. 10-23
San Jose's Nutcracker follows ETA Hoffmann's original tale relatively closely. In the second act, when Maria and the Prince tour the globe, they don't just watch the native dancers but join in. Carolers sing and characters from the ballet will pose for photos in the lobby.
At San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Tickets $30-100.
Celtic Yuletide
Dec. 13–Jan. 1, various dates
Michael Londra, Irish tenor and singing star of Riverdance, shares the music, dance and culture of Ireland at Christmastime.
At Marines' Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St. Ticket prices vary.
Smuin Ballet’s The Christmas Ballet
Dec. 14-18 and 20-24
Clever, sensuous, humorous and beautiful vignettes composed of dance ranging from classical ballet to flirty jazz to rollicking tap, and set to music as varied as Christmas carols and Eartha Kitt.
At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St. Tickets $25-62.
Yes Sweet Can
Dec. 16-Jan. 1, various dates
Everyday things--a broom, a chair, dinner plates, garbage cans--do magical, surreal things in this show by Sweet Can Productions. The company does aerial maneuvers, acrobatics, juggling and contortion which stretch your imagination and show that anything can happen.
At Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St. Tickets $12-60.
