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Holiday Performances Bring the Season to Life

If there’s one thing that puts the masses in the mood for the holiday season—whether it’s intentional or not!—it’s music. It starts in TV commercials and on the radio early November, and soon enough finds its way into our everyday lives. We’re humming, singing along and all of a sudden in the mood for the performances that we’ve come to know, and those new on the scene.

Check out the following in the area this November and December:

The Hip Hop Nutcracker @ The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
When: November 25 // 7:30 p.m.

A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is 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. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.

Just like the original, in The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.

“Audiences will love the contemporary, yet nostalgic feel brought by The Hip Hop Nutcracker and A Magical Cirque Christmas to their performances at their Fox Cities P.A.C.,” Doug Tiede, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s Chief Audience Development Officer, says.  “A treat for your friends and the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a Boldt Arts Alive! Series performance that blends hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s music, re-imagining and re-mixing the classic story that many know and love.”

For Kids from 1-92 @ The Grand Opera House, Oshkosh
When: December 7-8 // 7:30 p.m.

“For Kids from One to Ninety Two” is truly a holiday extravaganza, with everything from beautifully lush, traditional fare to great pop rock songs and joyful family favorites. This concert is a feast of musical styles, all woven together by the spirit of the season. You will hear “The Christmas Song” aka ‘Chestnuts Roasting” written by Mel Torme’ on a hot July day in Los Angeles, the best modern pop hits & our new holiday classic, “I Remember Christmastime.”

This show will warm your heart but it’s also plenty exciting enough to make it beat a little faster, just the sort of feeling that this time of year is all about… celebrating our 5th consecutive year at The Grand Oshkosh!

“Steve March-Torme’ and I founded ”For Kids from 1-92” in 2019 after a request from The Grand Staff for a new holiday show. I owe Shawna Terry and their staff a debt of gratitude. It’s been a great success not only for our ensemble but also for local charities and audiences leave with a smile,” Michael Bailey says.

“The show features amazing talent from STEEM and a ten million selling hit “The Christmas Song,” one of the most familiar songs of all time. “Steve March-Torme’ is “the living Christmas Song.” It’s a show and entertainment that you didn’t know you needed. Our 13 piece ensemble will be joined by 10 strings from Touch of class. 23 people on stage and a prelude on the second floor before the show.”

Holiday Pops @ The Weidner Center, Green Bay
When: December 8 // 7:30 p.m. and December 9 // 2 p.m.

The magical, lyrical, annual miracle returns! Holiday Pops featuring The Dudley Birder Chorale, Holiday Pops Orchestra, Birder Studio of Performing Arts, and NEWDO ballet delight with all your Christmas favorites this December. Bring the entire family for Green Bay’s biggest holiday musical celebration!

“(It) is the classic annual community holiday event of the year featuring The Dudley Birder Chorale of St. Norbert College, the Holiday Pops orchestra and Northeastern Wisconsin Dance Organization performing timeless holiday favorites on The Weidner stage,” Troy Williams, Marketing Coordinator at The Weidner says.

“Holiday Pops is for feeling close to those important people in your life, a wonderful experience for Grandparents and Grandkids alike.”

Cirque Dreams Holidaze @ The Weidner Center, Green Bay
When: December 10 // 4 p.m.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze dazzles with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts.

As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage. With an original music score, twists on holiday classics sung live, and with new sets, scenery, and storylines, this ultimate holiday gift for the entire family is sure to put a twinkle in your eye.

“Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a family friendly holiday spectacular featuring all of the thrilling cirque style thrills with Broadway level production including an original music score and live vocal performances of holiday classics. It’s the ultimate holiday experience for the whole family,” Troy Williams, Marketing Coordinator at The Weidner says.

“(It’s) a holiday spectacle you won’t see anywhere else. Holiday music lovers and thrill seekers alike will be amazed by this live production fusing contemporary circus arts and Broadway-style performances.”

The Nutcracker @ The Grand Opera House, Oshkosh
When: December 15-16 // 7 p.m.

The Nutcracker Ballet story, based on E.T.A Hoffmann’s tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, begins with Clara receiving a gift of a toy Nutcracker from her godfather Drosselmeyer at the Stahlbaum Christmas party. After the party, Clara falls asleep with the Nutcracker in her arms. Clara dreams that the Nutcracker becomes a lifesize prince and travels with him through the Land of Snow into the Land of Sweets. She meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and celebrates the return of the prince. As the celebration concludes, Clara awakens to find she has experienced a fantastic dream.

“We are thrilled to present our inaugural full-length production of the holiday classic Nutcracker Ballet,” AnneMarie Abderholden, Founder/Artistic Director of Valley Academy for the Arts, says. “The Nutcracker is a favorite for adults and children alike and features youth and adult students (between the ages of 7 and 82) of Valley Academy for the Arts and professional dancers from The Minnesota Ballet. A unique feature of this production is that we are featuring authentic choreography and interpretation of the wide variety of cultures represented in the Nutcracker.

“Whether you bring your family, your friends, or both, you and your loved ones will be brought closer together by the warmth of holiday magic and the live performing arts when attending these performances. Purchase your tickets now to these must-see holiday experiences to ensure the best seats!”

A Magical Cirque Christmas @ The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton
When: December 20 // 7:30 p.m.

Embrace the holiday spirit with A Magical Cirque Christmas, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Get ready to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as you witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music. Celebrate the magic of the season with the entire family at A Magical Cirque Christmas.

“Audiences of all ages will have the opportunity to celebrate the magic of the holiday season by experiencing the charm and whimsy of world-class entertainers as they display incredible feats in A Magical Cirque Christmas,” Doug Tiede, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s Chief Audience Development Officer, says.

“Whether you bring your family, your friends, or both, you and your loved ones will be brought closer together by the warmth of holiday magic and the live performing arts when attending these performances. Purchase your tickets now to these must-see holiday experiences to ensure the best seats!”