Photograph by Gigi Weaver
Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in St. Louis with events from reveling in the ballet to laughing it up with Cedric the Entertainer. Here's our list of the top 10 things not to miss from the SLM calendar (in chronological order):
1. Through December 18: Black Nativity
Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity has gained staying power in St. Louis. After Ron Himes directed the play for The Black Rep in 2009, it’s returned every year since, combining dance, gospel music, and poetry for a lively retelling of the Nativity story. Call for prices. 7 p.m. Thu, 8 p.m. Fri, 3 and 8 p.m. Sat, 3 and 7 p.m. Sun. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 314-534-3810, theblackrep.org.
2. December 1, 3–4, and 11: Holiday House Tours
Get in the Christmas spirit by visiting lavishly decorated mansions and historical homes.
- St. Louis Holiday Historic House Tour 2011 (December 1). Some of St. Louis’ most beloved historic houses will be decked out for Christmas on this holiday house tour, including the Botanical Garden’s Museum Building and Tower Grove House. $30 guided bus, $20 self-guided map. Time: 3–8:30 p.m. Start at any historic home on the tour. 314-421-4689, missouribotanicalgarden.org.
- Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour (December 3–4). See Soulard homes lavishly decked out for Christmas. Heated shuttle buses take visitors from house to house. $22 in advance, $25 day of event. Times: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat & Sun. Advance tickets are encouraged for a preferred time slot. Meet at Gene Slay’s Boys’ Club of St. Louis, 2524 S. 11th, 314-621-6226, soulard.org.
- Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour (December 11). Annual house tour features Victorian homes done up in period holiday decorations and carriage rides. $20, $15 advance, free children 12 and under with adult. Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Park House at Lafayette and Mississippi avenues, 314-772-5724, lafayettesquare.org.
3. December 6–18: Christmas with the Rat Pack: Live at the Sands
Performers who sound like Sammy, Frank, and Dean croon the Rat Pack standards like “The Lady Is a Tramp,” along with holiday favorites like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” $15–$70. Time: 8 p.m. Tue–Sat, 2 p.m. Sat & Sun. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1678, fabulousfox.com.
4. December 7–18: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
The story of that mean old Grinch trying to steal Christmas from Whoville is also a critically acclaimed Broadway musical. $25–$62. Times: 7 p.m. Tue–Thu, 11 a.m. & 8 p.m. Fri & Sat, 2 & 5 p.m. Sat & Sun. Peabody Opera House,1400 Market, 800-745-3000, peabodyoperahouse.com.
5. December 9–11: Amahl and the Night Visitors
This one-act opera is a seasonal favorite. The life of Amahl, a shepherd boy who walks with a crutch, is changed when three kings arrive at his house one night looking for a newborn baby. $15–$47. Union Avenue Opera, 733 N. Union, 314-361-2881, unionavenueopera.org.
6. December 16–17 & 21–23: El Monstero–Ver. 13.1
Love Pink Floyd? El Monstero is a St. Louis tribute band that has been recreating Floyd concerts since 1999. The musicians pay attention to every detail, from lighting to costumes to pyrotechnics. $25–$30. Time: 8 p.m. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, 314-726-6161, thepageant.com. $2 minor surcharge.
7. December 16–18 & 21–23: The Nutcracker
Gen Horiuchi and the Saint Louis Ballet bring to life Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic about a rat, a prince, and presents-turned-real. Last winter, The Nutcracker drew more than 10,000 people to the Touhill, making it among St. Louis’ most popular productions of the play. $15–$35. Times: 7 p.m. Wed–Sat, 2:30 p.m. Fri–Sun. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University, 314-516-4949, touhill.org.
8. December 20–24: Beauty and the Beast
It took Disney to modernize and mass-market a French fairy tale about a monster and maiden’s love. More than 15 years after Beauty and the Beast appeared on Broadway, and having shown at The Muny twice, the Tony Award–winning musical comes to Grand Center. $15–$75. Call or go online for showtimes. Fox Theater, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111, fabulousfox.com.
9. December 29–30: Movie Music of John Williams
No name is more synonymous with movies and music than John Williams, who’s written the scores for Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, the Star Wars trilogy… Even better than a Spielberg/Lucas movie marathon: hearing David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony perform Movie Music of John Williams. $35–$75. Time: 7 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, 314-534-1700, stlsymphony.org.
10. December 31: St. Louis New Year's Eve Homecoming Comedy Jam featuring Cedric the Entertainer
Here’s an original idea for NYE: Spend it with our city’s own king of comedy during the St. Louis New Year’s Eve Homecoming Comedy Jam featuring Cedric the Entertainer. Guest comedians include Malik S. and J.J. $69–$79. Time: 8 p.m. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market, 800-745-3000, peabodyoperahouse.com.
By Rosalind Early and Nancy McMullen
