DEC. 10 TO 22
Hotel Bethlehem
If you’ve ever thought there was something a little fishy about a very pregnant woman being turned away from an inn, Ruby Slippers Theatre’s satire could be the perfect show for you. Fawlty Towers and Monty Python fans will love the mash-up of farce, satire and holiday fare, promises a press release about the revived production. Hotel Bethlehem features shepherds contemplating sheep lotteries, three kings evading taxation, virgins, ridiculous Roman soldiers, a blind census-taker and a couple of births. Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova St. Tickets and information: 604.689.0926 or firehallartscentre.ca.
DEC. 11 TO 14
Bah! Humbug! 2013
This reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol features Juno award-winning musician Jim Byrnes as Ebenezer Scrooge, First Nations actor Margo Kane as the narrator and blues singer Tom Pickett as Bob Cratchit. This contemporary adaptation that’s directed by Max Reimer updates the economic disparities of Victorian England to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside where Scrooge owns a pawnshop on Hastings Street. The music in Bah! Humbug! includes pop songs, folk, blues, gospel and industrial rock along with traditional seasonal favourites. The production includes an audience sing-a-long and seasonal refreshments. The family-friendly show runs at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, SFU Woodward’s, 149 West Hastings St. Tickets: $25/$15. Preview tickets for Dec. 11 are $5. For more information, see sfuwoodwards.ca.
DEC. 14 TO 22
The Nutcracker
Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker is going ahead at the Centre in Vancouver with principal dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet and live music performed by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Tickets start at $28 through Ticketmaster. 777 Homer St.
DEC. 21
A Christmas Reprise XI
The award-winning Vancouver Cantata Singers present traditional and contemporary songs that span cultures and end with Franz Biehl’s arrangement of Ave Maria. Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards St., 2 p.m. Tickets $18, vancouvercantatasingers.com or 604-730-8856.
DEC. 21
Winter Harp, 20th Celebration
Winter Harp’s musicians, clad in medieval attire, perform a collection of music, songs and stories in celebration of winter and Christmas. Their repertoire includes carols and Celtic, medieval and world music. Dozens of candles light the stage, highlighting the golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells, flutes and ancient and rare instruments. St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1012 Nelson at Burrard Street, 7:30 p.m. Winterharp.com Ticketstonight.ca or 604-684-2787.
DEC. 28 TO 31
The Nutcracker
Alberta Ballet performs The Nutcracker with live music by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Dec. 28 to 30, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and 31, 2 p.m. Tickets $26.50 to $85. Family packs and child prices available. Ticketmaster.ca or 1-855-985-2787.
