By: K. Michelle Moran | Metro | Published November 30, 2023
METRO DETROIT — From concerts to plays and more, stages across the region will be brimming with holiday cheer this year.
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit’s holiday programming includes the soulful and jazzy Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour Dec. 7 and the witty, musical show “One Sleepy Night” — about a grandfather, his telescope and the meaning of Christmas — Dec. 15. Tickets: www.musichall.org or (313) 887-8500.
“Our holiday lineup is a great illustration of Music Hall’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, which really dates back to our founding in 1928 as a variety house,” Music Hall Director of Development Julie Gervais said via email. “This holiday season has dance, a couple of different musical genres, and a brand-new Urban Theater production — a musical that we’re all excited to see for the first time!”
The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, located on the main campus of Macomb Community College in Clinton Township, will feature the holiday shows Celtic Angels Christmas Dec. 8, the Detroit Concert Choir Dec. 9, the Macomb Symphony Orchestra Dec. 10 and PRISM Men’s Chorus Dec. 16. Tickets: www.macombcenter.com or (586) 286-2222.
Also in Macomb County, singer Karen Newman will be joined by Frankie Scinta for a concert of holiday classics Dec. 17 at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren. Tickets: www.andiamoshowroom.com or (586) 268-3200.
Broadway in Detroit will offer the family-oriented dance and music mashup of Tchaikovsky and rap during “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” Dec. 9 and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical” Dec. 15 and 16, both at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, and the Gregory Porter 2023 holiday tour Dec. 22 at the Detroit Opera House. Tickets: (313) 887-1256 or www.broadwayindetroit.com.
After a four-year absence, the Rackham Choir — Detroit’s oldest choir — presents its signature jazz gospel and classical mix, “Too Hot to Handel,” Jan. 13 at the Detroit Opera House. This 20th anniversary production had been staged over the holidays in the past but has been moved to Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Tickets: (313) 237-7464 or www.detroitopera.org.
Meadow Brook Theatre, on the Oakland University campus in Rochester, will stage its 41st annual production of “A Christmas Carol” — based on the Charles Dickens novel — through Dec. 24, with longtime MBT favorite Thomas D. Mahard starring as Ebenezer Scrooge and Conrad Nichols, of Shelby Township, and Chase Thomas, of Oxford, alternating as Tiny Tim. Tickets: (248) 377-3300, www.ticketmaster.com or www.mbtheatre.com.
“We have a lot of people who come back year after year,” MBT Managing Director Cheryl Marshall said in a press release. “It’s a little like a reunion both on stage and in the audience. Some families are on their third and fourth generations coming together to see the show as part of their holiday traditions.”
“Home Alone in Concert” Dec. 13 was sold out at press time, but the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has plenty of other seasonal concerts for all ages at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. The 11-member vocal ensemble Voctave will perform sans the orchestra during “It Feels Like Christmas” Dec. 8. A Tiny Tots concert by Fox & Branch will offer rootsy sing-alongs Dec. 9. The short film “The Snowman” will be accompanied by the DSO during a Young People’s Family Concert Dec. 9. The DSO plays its annual “Home for the Holidays” shows Dec. 15-17. “The Music of the Nutcracker with the DSO” Dec. 20 and “‘Elf’ in Concert” Dec. 22-23 round out the programming. Tickets: (313) 576-5111 or www.detroitsymphony.com.
“Orchestra Hall is a magical place during the holiday season: from classical, pops, and family performances, to our beloved Home for the Holidays program,” DSO Creative Director of Popular and Special Programming Jessica Slais said by email. “We invite Detroit audiences to celebrate cherished holiday traditions and make new memories with the DSO.”
313 Presents brings a wide range of festive productions to various venues. Detroit’s Fox Theatre will host “A Magical Cirque Christmas” Dec. 8, “Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” Dec. 10, Brett Eldridge’s Christmas concert Dec. 15, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis Dec. 17, “The Illusionists — Magic of the Holidays” Dec. 21-23 and Charlie Wilson Dec. 31. Little Caesars Arena will feature Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 23 and WWE Holiday Tour Dec. 27. Tickets: (800) 745-3000 or www.313presents.com.
Take in the vibrant wonder of the Magic of Lights tours through Dec. 30 at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston. Tickets: www.magicoflights.com.
“313 Presents has curated an exceptional holiday show lineup this season and invites families to create one-of-a-kind treasured memories at the Fox Theatre, Little Caesars Arena and Pine Knob Music Theatre,” 313 Presents President Howard Handler said by email. “The Fox Theatre is beautifully decorated to welcome guests in for A Magical Cirque Christmas, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, Mannheim Steamroller, The Illusionists and Brett Eldredge’s ‘Glow Live’ holiday tour. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is set to spread rock vibes and WWE Live Holiday Tour brings its superstars to Little Caesars Arena. Finally, Magic of Lights, the dazzling drive-through spectacular spanning 1.5 miles, has returned to Pine Knob Music Theatre through December 30.”
Have a Santa-worthy belly laugh during the hilarious sketches that make up “Into the Santaverse,” the 13th annual original holiday revue at GoComedy! in Ferndale. The show runs Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets or more info: (248) 327-0575 or www.gocomedy.net.
For a big, bold dose of cheer, the Motor City Brass Band will perform “Sounds of the Season” at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Tickets or more information: www.mcbb.org, www.dearborntheater.com or (313) 943-2354.
“Motor City Brass Band looks forward to getting you in the holiday spirit with music for every age,” Music Director and Conductor Gordon Ward said by email. “In addition to your holiday favorites, we are also pleased to present ‘Christmas is Coming!’ — a new piece by composer Paul Lovatt-Cooper.”
The Ringwald Theatre, inside Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ferndale, will present Vince Kelley’s “Jingle Babs” through Dec. 18. The comedic show imagines Barbra Streisand doing a live TV show in conjunction with her 1967 Christmas album, except that a terrible snowstorm has prevented her special guests from getting to the studio, forcing the studio staff band to improvise. Tickets: www.theringwald.com.