11 winter shows not even snow should keep you from
The holidays in West Virginia are packed with fun theatrical offerings – from symphony performances to ballets to plays – that are guaranteed to warm your heart and fill you with cheer.
Take a break from decking the halls and bring the family out to one of these seasonal shows:
1. “Joy to the World”
Charleston, Parkersburg and Wheeling
This marks the 23rd year for the popular holiday jazz concert “Joy to the World.” Produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, the show features Bob Thompson, with special guest Lena Seikaly. Thompson is leader of the Charleston-based Bob Thompson Unit band and pianist for the Mountain State band, while Seikaly is a renowned jazz singer based out of Washington, D.C.
Show dates: Dec. 10 at the Clay Center in Charleston; Dec. 11 at Capitol Theatre in Wheeling; and Dec. 12 at Smoot Theatre in Parkersburg
2. “A Christmas Carol”
Lewisburg
Greenbrier Valley Theatre brings Charles Dickens’ beloved classic “A Christmas Carol” to life. Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he confronts the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come in Victorian England and learns kindness and generosity from Tiny Tim.
Show dates: Dec. 4-5; Dec. 10-13; Dec. 17-20
3. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Huntington
Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington presents Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s classic film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” As the timeless animation plays on the big screen, the score will be performed live by The Huntington Symphony Orchestra and special guests, conducted by Kimo Furumoto.
Show date: Dec. 12
4. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
St. Albans
Alban Arts Center brings its interpretation of the classic Frank Capra film “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the stage. Head to the small town of Bedford Falls with George Bailey– a role made famous by Jimmy Stewart– as he re-examines the meaning of life with the help of a guardian angel named Clarence. It’s the story that brought you famous and heart-warming quotes like, “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”
Show dates: Dec. 11-13; Dec. 18-20
5. “Dashing Through the Snow”
Martinsburg
Apollo Civic Theatre presents “Dashing Through the Snow,” where a colorful crew of eccentrics gathers at the Snowflake Inn in Tinsel, Texas to deck the halls with holiday hilarity. Family feuds, ill-advised romances and tipsy housekeepers will keep the audience in stitches as they root for the guests and innkeepers to settle their differences and dole out Christmas cheer.
Show dates: Dec. 11-13; Dec. 18-20
6. “Christmas Spectacular”
Elkins
American Mountain Theater’s annual Christmas show features “X Factor” TV show winner Tate Stevens. “Christmas Spectacular” features comedy and musical selections ranging from classics to contemporary favorites for all ages.
Show dates: Nov. 27-29; Dec. 2-6; Dec. 9-13; Dec. 16-20
7. “Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker”
Morgantown
Spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers highlight this Christmas classic at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at West Virginia University. The story of Clara and her adventures with the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and others comes to life to Tchaikovsky’s score in “Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker.”
Show date: Dec. 2
8. “Home for the Holidays”
Lewisburg
West Virginia Symphony’s “Home for the Holidays” is a holiday tradition in the Greenbrier Valley. Maestro Grant Cooper and feature vocalist Randall Reid-Smith join the WV Symphony Orchestra for a selection of seasonal favorites at Carnegie Hall.
Show date: Dec. 3
9. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Wheeling
Towngate Theatre at Oglebay Institute presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” the comedic story of a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant with the wild and rambunctious Herdman children. The mayhem results in an unconventional but delightful production.
Show dates: Dec. 4-6; Dec. 11-12
10. “The Nutcracker”
Charleston
What would Christmas be without a nutcracker (or two)? For those of you who can’t make it to Morgantown, the Charleston Ballet and the West Virginia Symphony present their version of “The Nutcracker,” the classic children’s tale set to music by Tchaikovsky.
Show date: Dec. 11
11. “A Christmas Pudding”
Fayetteville
“A Christmas Pudding” at Historic Fayette Theatre is the tasty result of a recipe blending songs, stories, poems and tales by celebrated authors new and old, including Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Frank McCourt and Emily Dickinson– seasoned with Christmas carols and other holiday songs.
Show dates: Nov. 27-29; Dec. 4-6
What are some other holiday shows you look forward to attending?
This post was last updated on July 23, 2020