Happy Holidays—or Not

Every year, the Twin Cities theater community hums with holiday shows and this year is no different. That said, if you were to actually attend all the holiday offerings, you’d see that each has its own unique take on the season. Some shows have become a tradition, others seek to create new traditions, and still others prefer to view the spirit of the season through their own peculiar prism. The following is a primer on this season’s holiday theater fare.

The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are reuniting once again for the Guthrie’s A Christmas Carol. The Dickens classic has played on the Guthrie’s thrust stage for more than three decades. After all, what would the holidays be without Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, a lesson in literature, and a robust helping of nostalgia? Raye Birk is back as the crotchety killjoy, and the large cast is a mix of local favorites and up-and-comers, including Sally Wingert and Nathaniel Fuller. Through Dec.29. 612-377-2224

Stuck in the Manger with You, or Carol On My Wayward Son is the Brave New Workshop’s version of a “traditional” holiday show that gleefully skewers American traditions with BNW’s trademark raunchy—yet perfectly endearing—sketch comedy routines. Ever-popular performers Joe Bozic, Mike Fotis, and Lauren Anderson (whose karaoke performance at the Ivey Awards brought down the house), will have you rolling in your seats. Through Jan. 26. 612-332-6620

The History Theatre celebrates its 100th world premiere production—and the seventieth anniversary of Spam—with Hormel Girls, an original musical about the sixty-five female dancers, singers, and musicians who toured the country in the post-WWII era promoting Hormel products to world-weary citizenry. By 1953, the girls had become a national phenomenon, with one of the top Saturday morning radio shows in the country. A few of the real-life Hormel Girls will be attending the show, though they probably won’t be doling out Spam. Through Dec. 23. 651-292-4323

Penumbra Theatre has been producing its smash hit Black Nativity for two rollicking decades. The twentieth anniversary show features some of the Twin Cities’ finest gospel singers, jazz musicians, and dancers. TU Dance’s vibrant choreography syncs seamlessly with the soulful music, which explores the bonds of family, tradition, and the power of faith. It’s worth buying tickets ahead of time for this celebration. Through Dec. 30. 651-224-3180

What’s green, dapper, and fun all over? A Year with Frog and Toad, of course! The Children’s Theatre Company’s Tony-nominated darling is back. The press release says the show is most enjoyed by ages four and up, but with songs such as “Gotta Loada Toad” (best known around my house as “Toad Looks Funny in a Bathing Suit”) and “Cookies,” people of all ages will leave the theater with an extra leap—er, bounce—in their step (through January 5). For the toddler set, CTC has a special treat called A Special Trade, based on the book by Sally Wittman. Through Jan. 6. 612-874-0400

You won’t find Hanukkah Harry cracking jokes this month at the Minnesota Jewish Theatre (the SNL character is so 1990s). What you will find is The Magic Dreidels, a kid-friendly fairytale based on the book by Eric A. Kimmel. After Jacob’s dreidel falls down a well, a goblin swaps it with magical dreidels and the adventure begins! Eight days of goblins, presents, and unlikely friendships are sure to entertain the young and the young at heart. Dec. 6–21. 651-647-4315

The Jungle Theater departs from its usual holiday fare to present the three-time Tony-nominated play Shining City, by Dubliner Conor McPherson. This Irish ghost story is about a priest-turned-therapist whose primary client is haunted by his dead wife’s ghost. He becomes so terrified of her that he holes up in a hotel. The two men’s weekly sessions soon morph into a macabre examination of loneliness, disconnection, and a resolute struggle to survive. Joel Sass directs. Through Dec. 23. 612-822-7063

The Illusion Theater offers a triptych of holiday shows: Festival of Lights, which celebrates Hanukkah, is now in its second year (December 13–23). Martini and Olive warble their way through their satirical seventies lounge show, singing some of the best (and worst) songs you’ve never heard. The hysterical, wacky duo is an absolute must (December 27–31). The brightest star in the lineup is the always divine Miss Richfield (the drag queen creation of Richfield native Russ King). The glamour queen even has her own wall calendar, DVD, and makes a killing on cruise ships. You have to see her to believe her. Through Dec. 9. 612-339-4944

The always eclectic Bedlam Theatre is ringing in the holidays with two new plays. First up is Lost Love, the first in a trilogy about romance gone wrong, featuring McKnight Theater Fellow Maren Ward (through December 16). In The Hole at the Bottom of the Holiday, playwright Josef Evans (writer of the 2006 Fringe smash hit Love in a Time of Rinderpest) takes on the true meaning of Christmas with the help of a Mark Twain impersonator and a seedy lounge singer (December 19–23). ’Tis a fine alternative for theatergoers who don’t mind a little seasonal sacrilege. 612-338-9817

Joseph Scrimshaw—of the the internationally produced Adventures in Mating—brings some holiday humor to the Minneapolis Theatre Garage with his newest play, Fat Man Crying. If you haven’t guessed yet, the fat man in the title is Santa Claus. Fat Man’s slightly somber themes represent a sea change for the actor/ writer/director, who is perhaps best known for taking stage dives with his brother in the now-defunct Scrim-shaw Show. Tim Uren, the guy who let Scrimshaw pour ketchup all over his head this August in Castle Party, plays the morbidly depressed, soul-crushing Santa. Through Dec. 23. 612-870-0723