Performances
Money & Run Holiday Special
Wayne S. Rawley's long-running Theater Schmeater show tells the tale of "bums and hookers" in fictional Cudrup Country, and their special ways of celebrating the season. 1500 Summit Ave., 206-324-5801, www.schmeater.org. $12 (free for those under 18). 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Through Sat., Dec. 10.
Magical Strings
This Celtic yuletide series is back for its 27th year with harp music, Irish dancing, and energetic songs and storytelling. Locations in Shoreline, Kent, Seattle, and Bellevue. For more information, visit www.magicalstrings.com. Through Mon., Dec. 19.
Forbidden Xmas
The snarky holiday revue takes on local celebs like Steve Pool, Dale Chihuly, and Sue Bird in a Seattle-ized production at Empty Space. 3509 Fremont Ave. N., 206-547-7500, www.emptyspace.org. $30 Fri.–Sat. and opening night; $25 other nights and matinees. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs.; 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Also: 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. Through Fri., Dec. 23.
A Christmas Carol
The annual staging of the Dickens story that started the whole Victorian Christmas hoo-hah in the first place. This year, R. Hamilton Wright and Sean Griffin alternate in the role of Scrooge. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 206-292-7676, www.acttheatre.org. $24–$29. Days and times vary. Through Sat., Dec. 24.
Voices of Christmas
ArtsWest's annual Christmas revue kicks into gear once again, promising to deliver "myth, merriment, music," and a generous helping of holiday cheer. 4711 California Ave. S.W., 206-938-0339, www.artswest.org. $28 ($24 seniors/students, $12 youth under 18). Days and times vary. Through Mon., Dec. 26.
Nutcracker
Pacific Northwest Ballet's annual bonbon is back, wrapped in its Maurice Sendak–designed packaging. Pacific Northwest Ballet, McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 206-441-2424, www.pnb.org. $18–$102. Days and times vary. Through Wed., Dec. 28.
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
Everyone's favorite holiday miser gets his courtroom comeuppance in playwright Mark Brown's new riff on A Christmas Carol. Taproot Theater, 204 N. 85th St., 206-781-9707, www.taproottheatre.org. $23–$25 Tues.–Thurs. (7:30 p.m.) and Sat. matinees (2 p.m.); $27–$30 Fri.–Sat. evenings (8 p.m.). Through Fri., Dec. 30.
Dina Martina Christmas Show
Seattle's own Divine Miss M. spikes your eggnog with drag whimsy and absurdist humor at a holiday reworking of her tried-and-true diva shtick. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 206-448-8464. www.rebarseattle.com. $18. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Through Sat., Dec. 31.
Seattle Choral Company
Fred Coleman leads the company in nouveau carols "by America's hottest new composers," with Bethan Chattin on harp. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-363-1100, www.townhallseattle.org. $22 ($17 seniors, $10 youth). 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 2.
The Revelations
Funk/blues vocalist Sonya Kaye and her band offer a cool alternative to classical holiday concerts. Jazz guitarist Michael Powers joins them for the Sunday performance, playing songs from his new Christmas album, Frosty's Funky Holiday. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave., 206-325-6500. $20. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 2–Sat., Dec. 3; 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 4.
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Many people's favorite Christmas story springs to life at Wallingford's Stone Soup Theatre, enacted by a mix of professional and youth actors. 4035 Stone Way N., 206-325-6500, www.stonesouptheatre.com. $12 ($8 per person for families of four or more). 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat.; 3 p.m. matinees Sat.–Sun. Fri., Dec. 2–Sat., Dec. 17.
Black Nativity
The annual "gospel song play" at Intiman includes euphoric voices (belonging to local pastor Patrinell Wright, the Black Nativity Gospel Choir, et al.), a live band, and modern dance. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 206-269-1900, www.intiman.org. $10–$42. See Web site for times. Fri., Dec. 2–Sat., Dec. 24.
Celtic Holiday Concert
Some of the world's most beautiful Christmas songs come from Scotland and Ireland, and Bastyr University's gorgeous chapel is a great place to hear them. On the bill are Scottish folkies Oran nan Car, fiddler Joel Bernstein, Celtic-Balkan songwriter Stanley Greenthal, and the SRS Irish Dance Troupe. 14500 Juanita Dr. N.E. (Kirkland), 425-602-3272. $15 ($12 students/seniors). 7–9 p.m. Sat., Dec. 3.
Northwest Girlchoir
The all-female choral company invites you to sing along as they deliver a batch of festive carols. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-985-3973, www.townhallseattle.org. $12 (free for kids under 5). 1:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 3.
Bellevue Philharmonic
The Eastside orchestra performs Handel's Messiah at Meydenbauer Center, with soloists from the Bellevue Chamber Chorus. 11100 N.E. Sixth St. (Bellevue), 425-450-3810, www.meydenbauer.com. $34 ($27.25 seniors, $12.25 students). 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 3; 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 4.
Northwest Chamber Chorus
Under conductor David Anderson, the Northwest Chamber Chorus celebrates Christmas with the help of Sweelinck, Bouzignac, Fux, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. Also on the program: international carols from such disparate places as Sweden and Kenya. Singing along is encouraged. 206-523-1196, www.scn.org/northwestchamberchorus. $16 ($14 seniors/students). Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave. N. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 3. Plymouth Congregational Church, Sixth Avenue and University Street. 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 4. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Northeast 12th Street and 84th Avenue Northeast (Medina). 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10.
Seattle Pro Musica
The renowned choral ensemble classes up the holiday season with selections ranging from medieval chant to Poulenc's Four Christmas Motets. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-781-2766, www.townhallseattle.org. $23 ($18 seniors/students; $20/$15 in advance). 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 4.
