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The Program: Mark your calendar for these December SoCal performances.
Note: Though hours and formats are updated regularly, they can change without notice; best to confirm at venue websites.
LA MASTER CHORALE
Messiah Sing-Along
Dec. 22. Join 20 singers, soloists, the chamber orchestra, and two thousand other voices in the 45th anniversary celebration of music and community. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
PACIFIC CHORALE
Tis the Season
Dec. 21-22. A festive favorite for the whole family! Pacific Chorale, dazzling musicians, and Santa himself bring holiday magic to life with a sparkling mix of classic carols and joyful surprises. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. pacificchorale.org
LA MASTER CHORALE
Handel’s Messiah
Dec. 21. Experience the Grammy Award-winning voices of the Master Chorale in the iconic holiday masterpiece— Handel’s Messiah as led by conductor Grant Gershon. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
LA MASTER CHORALE
Festival of Carols
Dec. 20. The Master Chorale brings back perennial holiday favorites Festival of Carols, featuring spectacular arrangements of traditional carols from around the world. Hear some of your favorite carols and explore new songs sung by the incomparable voices of the LA Master Chorale, in the world-class acoustics of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Festival of Carols has become one of L.A.’s most beloved family holiday traditions.. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
LA MASTER CHORALE
Carols for Kids
Dec. 20. A new LA Master Chorale tradition designed for kids under 6. This family-friendly event features favorite childhood carols, holiday-themed activities, and a photo with Santa. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
A Rat Pack Christmas with Tony DeSare
Dec. 19-20. Tony DeSare, with his silky vocals and vintage flair, leads a festive celebration packed with seasonal swing and nostalgia.
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
BROADSTAGE
Piotr Beczata
Dec. 19. Tenor Piotr Beczala, on eof the most coveted performers in opera, returns to BroadStage for an unforgettable evening as he graces the stage with his extraordinary voice.
1310 11th St., Santa Monica, broadstage.org
BROADSTAGE
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
Dec. 17. Classic holiday tunes come to life with a blend of music and comedy as Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and the Tony Guerrero Quintet take the BroadStage. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, broadstage.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Jessica Vosk Sleigh
Dec. 17. Known for her powerhouse vocals and transformative stage presence, Jessica Vosk is redefining holiday magic, bringing her signature wit, sincerity and sparkle to create a special spin on holiday classics and brand-new carols. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Holiday Organ Spectacular
Dec. 16. A magnitude of musical splendors with world-class organist Todd Wilson and members of Pacific Symphony performing a delightful mix of sacred and holiday music. Favorite Christmas carols share the bill with traditional organ works that highlight the 4,322-pipe William J. Gillespie Concert Organ. 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
LA MASTER CHORALE
English Cathedral Christmas
Dec. 14. The Master Chorale’s beloved holiday concert returns with English Cathedral Christmas, led by conductor Grant Gershon. 62 singers and an organist transport you to the majesty of Canterbury Cathedral for a centuries-old English holiday tradition. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
THE WALLIS
Richard Goode Plays Mozart
Dec. 14. Pianist Richard Goode partners with LACO’s Director of Chamber Music Margaret Batjer for a program that begins with Schumann’s Violin Sonata No 1 and ends with Beethoven’s septet. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
NORTH COAST REP
2 Pianos 4 Hands
Dec. 12-29. This holiday, audience favorite returns with music and laughter. Journey with would-be career, concert pianists who trade stories about piano lessons, pushy parents and eccentric teachers while they play everything from Bach to Billy Joel. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 11-21. Celebrating its 10th season at Segerstrom Center, SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Created by one of today’s most celebrated choreographers, Alexei Ratmansky, this dazzling holiday treat features ABT’s roster of superstar dancers along with gorgeous sets and costumes by Tony winner Richard Hudson, and Pacific Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Segerstrom Hall. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. scfta.org
THE WALLIS
Bodytraffic
Dec. 11-13. This eclectic program showcases BODYTRAFFIC’s dazzling versatility with four distinct pieces that celebrate bold style, storytelling, and movement. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tony Yazbek
Dec. 11-13. Broadway veteran, Tony Yazbek’s spellbinding one-man show—an honest, emotional journey along life’s ups and downs as told through the lyrics of classic show tunes, new standards, and dazzling tap dancing. Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
The Holidays with Canadian Brass
Dec. 10. An unforgettable evening of brilliant brass music and classic holiday favorites that will fill your heart with holiday cheer, make this concert part of your holiday tradition. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. philharmonicsociety.org
THE WALLIS
Ben Bliss
Dec. 7. Master Mozartean Ben Bliss has conquered stages from the Metropolitan Opera to Vienna and Paris—not to mention standout performances with LA Opera and the LA Philharmonic. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Handel’s Glorious Messiah
Dec. 7. A timeless masterwork that transcends three centuries, Handel’s Messiah is an event of joy, reflection and renewal. Thrill to the blazing trumpets, thundering timpani, and the electrifying, uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus!
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa pacificsymphony.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Drama and Pathos: Goosby Plays Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
Dec. 6, 7. Korean composer Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza provides a thrilling opening to a concert of music mixing savage drama with the sweetest possible melodies, played by Randall Goosby. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
THE WALLIS
Colburn School: Smetana’s Ma Vlast
Dec. 6. Under the baton of celebrated conductor Kevin John Edusei, the Colburn Orchestra returns to The Wallis. Soloist Sieun Park portrays a modern-day King Solomon, who navigates a richly textured soundscape representing the allure of beauty and temptation. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
The Nutcracker for Kids
Dec. 6. The Nutcracker for Kids is a narrated adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet, featuring dazzling dancers from the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School.
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
The Enormous Crocodile
Dec. 5-Jan. 4. The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle of Los Angeles. This mischievous musical, perfect for the whole family, is based on Roald Dahl’s snappy book and has toe-tapping tunes and a menagerie of puppets. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. centertheatregroup.org
THE WALLIS
Dakhabrakha
Dec. 5. In a night of spellbinding rhythm and sound, DakhaBrakha brings their self-styled “ethno-chaos” to The Wallis from Kyiv, Ukraine. Their music is a blend of worldy music from India, Africa, and the Middle East. 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake
Dec. 4-6. A night of elegance and emotion with Cassandra Miller’s serene Swim, Ravel’s jazz-inflected Piano Concerto in G Major featuring Alexandra Dariescu–hailed as one of the most inspiring pianists of her generation–and the timeless romance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake conducted by Tianyi Liu.
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
LA OPERA
La Bohème
Through Dec. 14. Puccini’s beloved tribute to bohemian Paris follows a group of struggling artists as they fall in and out of love. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 North Grand Ave., Los Angeles, laopera.org
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
Amadeus
Nov. 19-Dec. 14. A Tony and Oscar-winning masterpiece that follows the riveting rivalry between two composers: Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. pasadenaplayhouse.org
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
Paranormal Activity
Nov. 13-Dec. 7. An original story set in the world of the terrifying Paranormal Activity film franchise, this world premiere play will haunt you long after the lights go out. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles. centertheatregroup.org
A NOISE WITHIN
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Nov. 29-Dec. 24. The region’s longest-running annual holiday tradition returns! Perfect for all ages, this timeless story of redemption is filled to the brim with music and merriment. 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. anoisewithin.org
Photo Credits: La Bohème photo courtesy of Cory Weaver. All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
