From Rudolph with his nose so bright to the soaring score and balletic beauty of “The Nutcracker,” Portland area stages will again make the 2023 holiday season magical. This year’s choices promise delights for audiences of all ages, thanks to returning favorites and new arrivals. For the budget-minded, some discounts are available, through the Arts For All program, for example, and preview performances are also lower-priced options.
Here’s a look at some of the shows intended to put us in the holiday spirit.
‘Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn’
Anyone who remembers “Holiday Inn,” the 1942 musical that starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire may recall that the movie introduced “White Christmas,” the Irving Berlin tune that has become as much a part of the holidays as trimming the tree. The Lakewood Theatre Company is showcasing the stage musical adaptation, which includes the storyline about a man turning a Connecticut farmhouse into an inn that’s only open on holidays. Even better, the show features classic Irving Berlin songs, including “Blue Skies,” “Easter Parade,” “Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” “Heat Wave,” “Be Careful, It’s My Heart,” and, of course, “White Christmas.”
Various times and days, Nov. 10-Dec. 17, The Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St., Lake Oswego; $45 (discounts available for students and seniors), lakewood-center.org or 503-635-3901.
’Liberace & Liza Holiday at the Mansion (A Tribute)’
David Saffert and Jillian Snow created and perform this comedy-musical show, in which they portray Liberace and Liza Minnelli, a pair of talents whose penchant for over-the-top showbiz glitz should make for a colorful mix of sequins, song and laughs.
Various times and days, Nov. 11-Dec. 24, Portland Center Stage at The Armory, Ellen Bye Studio, 128 N.W. Eleventh Ave.; $25-$66.50, pcs.org or 503-445-3700.
‘The Hip Hop Nutcracker’
The touring show is described as “a holiday mash-up for the whole family,” a “re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.”
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; $35-$65; portland5.com or 503-248-4335.
‘A Christmas Carol’
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a production of Charles Dickens’ classic story about Scrooge, whose heart turns from a lump of coal to a treasure trove of Christmas spirit, thanks to visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. This version features original music by Anna Lackaff and Rick Lombardo, and original lyrics by Lombardo.
Various times and days, Nov. 21-Dec. 30, Portland Playhouse, 602 N.E. Prescott St.; general admission, $59.95; portlandplayhouse.org or 503-488-5822.
Charles Cook, Annie Kaiser, Aurora C. Gooch, Chad Craner, and Abby Murray Vachon in “Home for the Holidays” at Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Nov. 22-Dec. 23, 2023.Photo by Fletcher Wold
‘Home for the Holidays’
This holiday musical revue includes both familiar and new Christmas tunes to tell the story of a group of passengers who are taking the bus home to Chicago when a blizzard strands them in Iowa. Spending the night before Christmas Eve in a bus stop may not sound all that festive, but that’s where the music comes in.
Various times and days, Nov. 22-Dec. 23, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, The Broadway Rose New Stage, 12850 S.W. Grant Ave., Tigard; $20-$52 (discounts available for groups of 10 or more), broadwayrose.org or 503-620-5262.
The Portland theater company, PassinArt, will again perform "Black Nativity" this holiday season.
‘Black Nativity’
PassinArt, a Portland-based Black theater company with a mission to “educate, entertain, and celebrate our culture while highlighting issues that impact the community,” once more celebrates the holiday season with its production of the show by poet and playwright Langston Hughes. In “Black Nativity,” the traditional Nativity story is retold, and set to gospel music, dance, and original tunes.
Various times and days, Nov. 25-Dec. 10, Brunish Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; $27-$40, passinart.org or 503.235.8079.
‘The Enchanted Toyshop’
The Portland Ballet celebrates the 20th anniversary of John Clifford’s “The Enchanted Toyshop,” a tale focusing on two children who are accidentally locked in a toyshop. The experience becomes special when an array of toys come to life, including Pinocchio, playing cards, poodles, Russian nesting dolls and more. The Portland State University Orchestra provides musical accompaniment.
1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 25-26, Portland State University’s Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.; $10-$40, theportlandballet.org or 503-452-8448.
Northwest Children's Theater is presenting a musical inspired by the classic animated special.David Kinder
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’
For some of us, it’s not a holiday until we have our annual viewing of the 1964 animated special, “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.” The charming stop-motion animation, songs and characters like Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Yukon Cornelius, Sam the Snowman and more have made the special a classic. Now, the Northwest Children’s Theater is producing a musical adaptation of the beloved “Rudolph” tale, complete with such songs as “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” Rudolph, and the whole gang.
Various times and days, Nov. 25-Dec. 31, the Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts, 1000 S.W. Broadway, Suite T-100; $25-$40; nwcts.org or 503-222-2190.
John Waters, filmmaker, author and ever-entertaining personality, returns to Portland in 2023 for his show, "A John Waters Christmas." Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
‘A John Waters Christmas’
The filmmaker (“Pink Flamingos”), author and all-around entertaining personality is back for the 2023 version of his seasonal show. This year’s theme is “Let’s Blow It Up,” so it sounds like the “Pope of Trash” will be in characteristically irreverent form.
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, Aladdin Theater, 3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.; $42-$125; aladdin-theater.com or 503-234-9694.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
The story immortalized in Frank Capra’s classic movie, starring James Stewart, gets the musical treatment in this Stumptown Stages production. The book and additional lyrics are by Janet Mouser, music and additional lyrics are by Michael Allen Harrison, Julianne Johnson, and lyrics are by Alan Berg.
Various times and days, Dec. 1-23, Winningstad Theatre at Antoinette Hatfield Hall, 1111 S.W. Broadway; $31.75-$60.75; stumptownstages.org or 800-915-4698.
"O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy" is coming to two venues in the Portland metro area this holiday season.Thaddeus Hink
‘O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy’
This two-person show is billed as being a cozy fit for fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean and Dr. Seuss, and is also described as “reminiscent of class British pantos,” “rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements.”
3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; $35-$66; portland5.com or 503-248-4335.
And 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; $35-$69; thereser.org or 971-501-7722.
‘Ludlow Ladd: The Poor Little Orphan Boy’
The Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre is presenting the premiere of the first complete production of the off-Broadway musical “Ludlow Ladd: the Poor Little Orphan Boy.” The “fractured holiday operetta” is described as “part Dickens, part Gilbert and Sullivan, part Fractured Fairy Tale,” and features a story told through “mock-Christmas carols.”
Various times and days, Dec. 7-17, Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre, Bridgetown Black Box at the Tiffany Center, 711 S.W. 14th Ave.; $32.50; bridgetownconservatory.org or 971-219-6452.
Oregon Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker" will return to Keller Auditorium this season.Beth Nakamura/Staff
George Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’
George Balanchine’s exquisite choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score return to the local stage in Oregon Ballet Theatre’s holiday tradition. The Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing snowflakes, toy soldiers, candy canes, flowers and mice will again transport audiences both young and old to a magical world.
Various times and days, Dec. 8-24, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; $25-$152; obt.org or 503-222-5538.
‘A Nutcracker Tea’
For those who want an abbreviated taste of “The Nutcracker,” Northwest Dance Theatre presents its abridged, approximately 90-minute version. Audiences of all ages are invited to watch the dance, and sample complimentary tea and cookies.
2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 9-10 and Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 16-17; 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 15-16, Portland Community College Sylvania Campus, Performing Arts Center, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave.; $20-38, nwdt.org or 503-925-3263.
‘The Midwinter Revels: Emerald Odyssey - A Celebration of the Solstice’
The annual musical celebration this year takes audiences to “a stormy evening in Kinvarra when an out-of-town stranger walks into the middle of the Móirín’s pub and interrupts the community’s celebration of the Winter Solstice. Móirín decides that with enough Irish singing, dancing, storytelling, and perhaps a Mummers Play, they can make their new friend Irish by the time the sun rises on the shortest day. But the stranger has a story of her own to tell.”
Various times and days, Dec. 15-23, Alberta Abbey, 126 N.E. Alberta St.; $16-$98; portlandrevels.org or 503-274-4654.
‘It’s a Tony Starlight Christmas’
A Portland holiday staple for 15 years, the Christmas show hosted by the one and only Tony Starlight returns for more retro entertainment, recalling the days with Bing Crosby and similar old-school entertainers presided over annual TV holiday specials. And it wouldn’t be a Tony Starlight show without the host pulling out some of his impressions (Neil Diamond!) and song stylings.
2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; $30-45; albertarosetheatre.com or 503-719-6055.
‘The Nutcracker’
Oregon International Ballet Academy presents its own rendition of the holiday ballet classic, with performances by a company that includes student dancers, professional guest artists and the school’s accomplished dancers. The 2023 production features guests from Casa de Arte, a dance and performance studio in Kumamoto, Japan.
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, and 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; $29-$39; oiballet.org or 503-297-4325.
‘A Christmas Carol’
In the mid-1860s, Charles Dickens would entertain audiences by going onstage to read from his beloved holiday tale, “A Christmas Carol.” CoHo Productions presents its take on that tradition, with actor Thom Bray portraying the Victorian-era author.
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, CoHo Theatre, 2257 N.W. Raleigh St.; $20; cohoproductions.org or 503-220-2646.
‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’
A family spectacular featuring what’s described as “a Broadway-style production” wrapped around “an infusion of contemporary circus arts.” Holiday storybook characters come to life, and the show features music, and holiday-style razzle-dazzle.
Various times, Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 23-24, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W Broadway; $26.44-$104.94; portland5.com or 503-248-4335.
Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, shown with host David Butka in the Hulu series, "Drag Me to Dinner," are returning to Portland for their holiday show.
‘The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show’
Portland’s own Jinkx Monsoon comes back to the Rose City, riding a wave of success that includes not just victory on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” but the successful “Everything At Stake” tour and an upcoming guest role in the new season of “Doctor Who.” The holiday show again teams Monsoon with fellow “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star, BenDeLaCrème, for their annual extravaganza.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; $49.50-$289; portland5com or 503-248-4335.
— Kristi Turnquist
503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist
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