Christmas On Stage In Metro Vancouver

Christmas with Chor Leoni is again on stage in Vancouver. PHOTO CREDIT: David Cooper.

From uplifting performs to glowing pantos and from good live shows to velvet-voiced choirs, reside reveals are the easiest way to faucet into the spirit of the festive season. This yr, the levels of Vancouver and past are internet hosting a full playbill of fantastic choices––and now’s the time to guide your tickets.

However what are these choices? Whereas researching my 2022 Vancouver Christmas Information web site––now in its sixth yr––I found an enormous number of native reveals to think about. Learn on for a few of our favourites, and maintain your eye on the Exhibits part of our web site for extra––plus a lot of possibilities to win free tickets.

Excellent pantos

A conventional festive leisure, pantomimes are a great motive to round-up the household for a holly, jolly nice time. Youngsters of all ages will love Sleeping Magnificence Wakes Up! at Marpole’s charming Metro Theatre. There’s additionally The Snow Queen: A Frozen Journey, introduced by the Royal Canadian Theatre Firm and operating at Surrey Arts Centre and New Westminster’s Massey Theatre.

The Metro Theatre’s panto is Sleeping Magnificence Wakes Up! PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy-Lynn Chernaske.

And don’t miss the 10-year-anniversary of the Cultch’s beloved East Van Panto. On stage at their York Theatre venue on Business Drive, this yr’s present is The Little Mermaid. As soon as once more it’s a whip-smart fusion of songs, kid-friendly giggles and satirical stomach laughs for adults.

Treats for youths

Additionally take into account taking the household to Richmond’s Gateway Theatre for Anne of Inexperienced Gables: The Musical, a joyous retelling of the traditional story. Or guide for the December 18 Orpheum Theatre screening of cherished British animation The Snowman, full with reside Vancouver Symphony Orchestra accompaniment.

Music followers of all ages will love the 4 Seasons and Nutcracker Suite efficiency by the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra. It’s additionally on the Orpheum––and with tickets from $10 to $15, it’s a great-value possibility. And for youthful children, North Vancouver’s Presentation Home Theatre is staging The place the Wild Issues Are––particularly for the three-to-six-year age group.

Performs and extra

Vacation reveals aren’t only for youngsters, in fact. The Arts Membership Theatre Firm is pulling out all of the stops at its three Vancouver venues this yr. Take into account their glowing The Sound of Music; immersive Me Love Bingo!: Greatest in Snow; and Mother’s the Phrase: Talkin’ Turkey, an hilarious but poignant delight that’s stuffed to bursting with extremely relatable Yuletide yarns.

Kyle Loven stars within the Arts Membership’s Me Love Bingo!: Greatest in Snow. PHOTO CREDIT: David Cooper.

Maintain the laughs coming at Granville Island’s Improv Centre the place Completely satisfied (Hectic) Holidays sees a crew of good comedian performers improvise a present themed round internet hosting mates, household and extra for Christmas––with the motion formed by recommendations from the viewers.

Get pleasure from a Christmas chuckle on the Improv Centre on Granville Island. PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Halliday at Moonrider Productions.

And if you wish to see a pair of top-notch comedians (and an opera singer) try to stage a model of The Messiah, head to the hidden gem Pacific Theatre within the South Granville space. This anarchically humorous but soul-stirring present was successful on London levels and is a good way to launch your vacation festivities.

Reinvented classics

Yuletide leisure wouldn’t be full with out A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker, in fact. Scrooge followers have two choices: the Firehall Arts Centre’s spirited one-person present echoes the best way Dickens himself carried out the story. Whereas the WONDERHEADS model is a beguiling full-mask manufacturing with glowing ghosts and a 10-foot-tall puppet.

A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is on stage at numerous native venues. PHOTO CREDIT: Daryl Turne.

And should you can’t get by the vacations and not using a Sugar Plum Fairy or two, guide forward for Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Ballet BC can be internet hosting the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s interpretation on the similar venue, whereas Ballet Victoria’s model might be taking part in on levels across the area.

Dance it up

Pointe followers of all ages also needs to take into account Dance Into Christmas on the Massey Theatre. It’s the twenty third annual festive present of the Richmond Academy of Dance and the varsity’s college students––joined by visitor artistes from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens––will carry out Nutcracker excerpts and extra.

And remember to additionally guide forward for A Winter’s Twist, a magical, family-friendly vacation occurring on stage in North Vancouver. Carried out by Lamondance, it’s an brisk, festive-flavoured model of Romeo and Juliet––and a spellbinding present so as to add to your Christmas leisure choices.

Feels like Christmas

Music fan? Early Music Vancouver’s hovering, luxurious Festive Cantatas is the right approach to ease into the spirit of the season. Whereas Winter Harp’s costumed performers might be taking part in conventional songs and carols on levels across the area. Music on Primary can be bringing again its beautiful Music for the Winter Solstice on the metropolis’s Heritage Corridor.

Get pleasure from a Winter Harp efficiency this yr. PHOTO CREDIT: Winter Harp.

And don’t miss Christmas with Chor Leoni. The male voice choir’s reveals––within the stunning St. Andrew’s Wesley-United Church––provide pleasant renditions and distinctive preparations of traditional songs and carols. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s annual A Conventional Christmas live performance can be again this yr––on the Orpheum Theatre in addition to levels in Surrey and North Vancouver.

Christmas with Chor Leoni is again on stage in Vancouver. PHOTO CREDIT: David Cooper.

Rather more music

There are a number of extra toe-tapping choices to think about. There’s a one-night-only Tom Jackson present on the Massey Theatre, with the celebrated actor and musician performing unique music, acquainted festive songs and extra. And over on the Pacific Theatre, Christmas Presence is an annual, cabaret-style custom full of music, poems and tales.

However the brand new PNE Winter Truthful is providing arguably the most popular roster of reside music this yr. The ten-day occasion has a special act on stage each night time, starting from Dionne Warwick to Tom Cochrane and from Jann Arden to Holly Cole. Why not make this a Christmas pressie to your self––however guide forward earlier than it’s too late!

For extra info on the festive reveals, occasions and points of interest within the metropolis and past, go to the Vancouver Christmas Information. Written by Lonely Planet journey author John Lee, it’s one of the best on-line information to the world’s 2022 vacation happenings. The positioning was co-created with Christmas Cat Max, who pens its reward opinions and sometimes seems on its @MyVanChristmas Twitter feed.