God Bless “A Christmas Carol,” Every One

There is simply a thoroughfare successful Naples, Via San Gregorio Armeno, wherever you tin find store aft store presided implicit by artisans whose specialty is gathering Nativity scenes retired of papier-maché, terra-cotta, wax, and cloth. It is an creation with roots successful the eighteenth century, of which the Baroque crèche brought retired by the Metropolitan Museum each twelvemonth is simply a splendid example. This installation depicts full thoroughfare scenes: animals, nutrient stands, fishermen, the Magi—and, of course, the cozy Nativity itself. (Metropolitan Museum of Art; done Jan. 6.)

“Radio City Christmas Spectacular”
The Radio City Rockettes kicked disconnected a 100 years ago, successful St. Louis. Their “Christmas Spectacular” successful New York is simply a comparatively young ninety-two. Over the decades, immoderate technological innovations person accrued, including, this year, a caller dependable system. The group’s centenary hasn’t occasioned caller material, but oldest is champion anyhow successful this show: the well-maintained precision of the tapping, kicking dancers; and the built-to-last operation of the “Parade of Wooden Soldiers” number, which has been collapsing successful dilatory question since the Spectacular began. (Radio City Music Hall; done Jan. 5.)

Nutcrackers Galore

There is simply a constituent successful December erstwhile “The Nutcracker” becomes ubiquitous; emotion it oregon hatred it, it’s present to stay. But not each “Nutcrackers” are the same. In summation to the canonical version—“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” astatine New York City Ballet (David H. Koch Theatre; done Jan. 4)—also worthy a notation is “Nut/Cracked,” by the Bang Group, featuring pat creation successful pointe shoes and a snowfall waltz successful which everyone keeps slipping and falling connected imaginary ice. (92Y, Dec. 13-16.) And “Nutcracker Rouge,” a naughty burlesque for the big crowd, is acceptable successful a visually splendid, Baroque-inspired satellite filled with sensual Christmas delights. (Théâtre XIV; done Jan. 31.)

“It’s a Wonderful Life!”

The communicative of George Bailey, a small-town banker whose intentions of termination dissipate aft an angel shows him his life’s importance, is simply a acquisition that keeps connected giving. It originated arsenic a 1943 abbreviated story, became an iconic Frank Capra movie 3 years later, and, successful 2012, got the signifier attraction astatine Irish Rep, reframed by Anthony E. Palermo arsenic a vigor play broadcast by actors successful a dependable studio. Following revivals successful 2013 and 2017, it returns to the Rep signifier this twelvemonth (Dec. 3-31).

“Advent Carolndar” and “Sugar & Booze: A Holiday Spectacular”

For anyone liable to spell afloat Grinch aft proceeding “White Christmas” 1 much time, Julia Mattison and Joel Waggoner’s “Advent Carolndar” (Joe’s Pub; Dec. 4-15) offers a refuge of vacation non-standards, drawn mostly from the comedians’ 2019-21 Instagram series, which presented an archetypal carol each time from December 1st done the 25th. Also reinvigorating ye olde merriment is Ana Gasteyer’s performance “Sugar & Booze” (Town Hall; Dec. 15), featuring euphony from her jazzy 2019 Christmas album; the rubric refers to, successful her brassily sung phrasing, “the champion portion of the holidays.”

“Peter and the Wolf”

Sergei Prokofiev wrote “Peter and the Wolf” successful 1936, for a children’s theatre successful Moscow. It is some a parable and a clever illustration of euphony acquisition utilizing orchestra instruments. Peter is personified by a beautiful, forthright melody, connected strings; helium encounters a duck (oboe), a feline (clarinet), and, of course, the wolf (French horns). Isaac Mizrahi is the avuncular narrator; John Heginbotham conceived the witty choreography; Prokofiev’s characterful euphony is played by Ensemble Connect. (Works & Process, Guggenheim Museum; Dec. 5-14.)

Holiday Carols

Will determination beryllium snowfall to dash done this year? Who knows, but we tin inactive sing astir it. Jingle each the mode to Judson Memorial Church, for West Village Chorale’s yearly Caroling Walk astir the vicinity (Dec. 20). Or instrumentality your one-horse unfastened sleigh to Brooklyn, for the Dessoff Choirs’ “Welcome Yule” performance (Dec. 6). Maybe bells connected bobtails volition ringing (whatever that means) arsenic you sway on with the songs of “A Goyishe Christmas to You!” astatine the Kaufman Center (Dec. 10). The opportunities are plentiful, and they mightiness adjacent marque spirits bright.