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2012 Denver Holiday Theater Preview

Time flies. Snow blankets the ground while visions of sugar plums start to dance in your head. Yes, the holiday season will be here before you know it, so it is time to start planning your family's entertainment. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the busiest for local theater companies as they all bring different and fun holiday-themed shows to help get you in the spirit of the season. Check out these great options for live theatre and get your fill of holiday cheer.
Miracle On 34th Street
(credit: arvadacenter.org)

"Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical"
Arvada Center for the Arts
6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Arvada, CO 80003
(720) 898-7200
www.arvadacenter.org

Dates: November 23 through December 23

The Arvada Center for the Arts has a strong reputation of bringing Broadway-quality musicals to Colorado, and this Christmas it is bringing a true holiday favorite. "Miracle on 34th Street" is a musical version of that classic 1947 Maureen O'Hara film. It helps to explain just what happens when a little girl doesn't believe in Santa Claus. It includes great holiday songs like "Pinecones and Hollyberries" and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" so you are sure to leave the theatre filled with plenty of holiday sprit.

"A Christmas Carol"
Aurora Fox Arts Center
9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 739-1970
www.aurorafoxartscenter.org

Dates: November 23 through December 16

If looking for traditional holiday entertainment, chances are that you have one particular play in mind. "A Christmas Carol" is the epitome of Christmas-themed fare. Join the Aurora Fox Arts Center as it brings a very traditional retelling of the classic Dickens tale. Bring the whole family to watch the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future teach the old curmudgeonly Scrooge just what it means to live with Christmas in your heart all year long.

"The SantaLand Diaries"
Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company
The Dairy Center for the Arts
2590 Walnut St.
Boulder, CO 80304
(303) 444-7328
www.boulderensembletheatre.org

Dates: December 14 through December 24

For those who feel like traditional holiday entertainment is just too sweet and kind, then look no further than Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company's production of David Sedaris' "The SantaLand Diaries." Watch as Crumpet, the elf, tells you all about his time working at Macy's SantaLand. Be warned, this is not for the kids as Crumpet is a bit of a foul-mouthed, angry little elf. This show is a holiday tradition for many and David Sedaris fans always delight in seeing this one year after year.

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas"
Denver Center Attractions
Buell Theatre
1101 13th St.
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 893-4100
www.denvercenter.org

Dates: November 23 through December 24

The year 1954 brought us the classic Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney film "White Christmas" and now you can see it live and fall in love all over again. "White Christmas" is the story of two WWII veterans that follow a pair of singing sisters to Vermont. Snow comes and they all sing and bring tons of entertainment to keep everyone entertained. With plenty of holiday cheer and music, "White Christmas" includes the title song, which happens to also be the most-recorded song in history. So get ready as the Denver Center brings snow to your holiday with "White Christmas."

Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker"
Spark Theater
985 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 346-7396
www.sparktheater.org

Dates: December 1 through December 23

Join Spark Theater for a new twist on a beloved classic. Adapted and directed by Spark Theatre's own Michael Emmitt, this version of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" has everything you would expect as it weaves the well-known fairytale in with the story of the ballet's famous composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. With all of the great "Nutcracker" music, this world-premier play is a wonderful chance to get a new look at a favorite.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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