Dance, music, and theater add a lot of fun and excitement to the holidays, and in the Eugene-Springfield area, there is always an abundance of performing arts events to help celebrate the season. For many, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet is synonymous with Christmas, and this year, the classic returns to the Hult Center December 19-24, presented by Eugene Ballet with musical accompaniment from Orchestra Next, a Eugene-based training orchestra.
Eugene Ballet Communications and Marketing Director Michelle Ferguson says this year’s production has “a cast of sparkling characters” that brings the classic story to life with stunning choreography, beautiful costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
If you want your “Nutcracker” with a twist, kick off the holiday season with All That! Dance Company’s “The Nutcracker Remixed,” playing at the Hult Center November 23-24. This “Nutcracker” blends the traditional story with modern dance styles and contemporary pop music from Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Meghan Trainor, and Adele.
Rounding out the Hult Center’s holiday performance offerings, there’s “Ballet Fantastique: An American Christmas Carol” November 30 and December 1; “God Is a Scottish Drag Queen Christmas Special” December 14; “Eugene Concert Choir: Handel’s Messiah” December 15; and “Eugene Symphony: New Year’s Eve Celebration” December 31.
Eugene Opera is quiet this holiday season, but for a gift idea, the ensemble is offering a 10% ticket discount to their January production of “Rigoletto,” January 31 through February 2 at the Hult Center.
Over in Springfield, Chamber Music Amici’s “Chamber Music with Guitar” offers a break from holiday-themed music December 15-16 at the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater. The performance will feature classical works by Niccolò Paganini and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
“Paganini, who produced prolific compositions often featuring his instrument, is the most famous violin virtuoso who ever lived,” says Ferguson, who also represents Chamber Music Amici marketing. Castelnuovo-Tedesco, another Italian composer, whose career began more than 200 years after Paganini’s, wrote film scores for Hollywood and a concerto for the 20th century violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz.
“This program includes unusual chamber music in which these two composers beautifully incorporate a classical guitar as the featured voice,” Ferguson explains.
Springfield’s Wildish Theater also hosts “A Christmas Portrait: Carpenters” — a Carpenters tribute with hits from the iconic duo mixed with Christmas classics — December 6, and “Christmas Presence 2024” December 19-21. The latter performance, presented by Narrow Shoes Productions and the Wildish Community Theater, blends South American-themed music with stories “that explore the wonder, the disappointments, and the joy of Christmas.”
For another opportunity to celebrate the music of the holiday season, don’t miss “Jingle All the Way!” December 20-22 at the Shedd Institute, featuring Christmas favorites performed by Eugene vocalist Shirley Andress and the “Christmas Crew.”
For theater this holiday season, we recommend “Snow Fever: A Karaoke Christmas,” the story of co-workers and strangers celebrating as best they can while stranded at a Montana bar, December 6-22 at Oregon Contemporary Theater. There’s also “The 39 Steps,” spoofing classic Alfred Hitchcock movies, December 6-22 at Cottage Theatre in Cottage Grove.
No matter what event you choose, there’s nothing like music, theater, and dance to get into the holiday spirit. Take in one or more of the events mentioned, and you’ll definitely be merry.
