Whether it’s an old classic (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “A Christmas Carol”) or a more contemporary production (“Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical,” “Scrooge in Rouge”), Twin Cities theaters have plenty of options for seasonal stage productions (although a few aren’t about the holidays). Here’s a look at what’s on tap this year.
‘Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical’
Now playing: When St. Paul city architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington is tasked with designing an ice palace for the Winter Carnival, he and his wife, Viola, get much more than they bargain for when the magic of the carnival enters their lives. Keith Hovis and Rachel Teagle wrote this new musical, which explores “the strange and wonderful world of the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the resilience, imagination and heart that make Minnesota such a wonderful place, especially in the snow.” Through Dec. 21; History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $78-$30; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.
‘R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium’
Now playing: Based on the popular spooky book series, this musical tells the story of Brooke and her best friend Zeke, who land the leads in their middle school’s new musical. They’re thrilled, until strange things start happening around the theater. Whispers of an old legend resurface, warning that the play might be cursed. Through Dec. 14; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $65-$15; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.
‘White Christmas’
The cast of “White Christmas,” which runs through Feb. 7, 2026, at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. (Dan Norman / Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)
Now playing: Irving Berlin wrote the song “White Christmas” for the 1942 musical film “Holiday Inn” and, at the time, told his secretary that “not only is it the best song I ever wrote, it’s the best song anybody ever wrote.” Not only was it a massive hit — Bing Crosby’s version sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide — it forever changed Christmas music. Berlin later approached Paramount with the offer to write songs to accompany a new movie built around “White Christmas,” which became the highest-grossing film of 1954. The stage version did big business for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres last year, so the company brought it back for an encore. Through Feb. 7; Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen; $131-$98; 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com.
‘A Christmas Carol’
“A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater. (Dan Norman)
Now playing: The Guthrie first produced an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in 1975 in an attempt to fill some empty December seats. It worked and it’s now a long-established tradition, with this year marking the 51st production. The company is once again staging a new adaptation by the late Lavina Jadhwani from 2021 that includes a new set, costumes and tunes. Through Dec. 28; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $148-$19; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
Now playing: Children’s Theatre Company is presenting its adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ seasonal story for the 13th time, having originally commissioned and premiered it in 1994. In Rob Hubbard’s review for the Pioneer Press, he wrote that “it seems the 13th time’s the charm for its musical adaptation of Seuss’ book. For this is indeed the most charming version of the story it’s yet presented.” Through Jan. 4; Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $114-$35; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.
‘The Phantom of the Opera’
“Prima Donna,” from left, Melo Ludwig, Christopher Bozeka, William Thomas Evans, Midori Marsh, Daniel Lopez, Carrington Vilmont and Lisa Vromanin from the North American touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s gothic horror novel, which runs at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis through Dec. 7, 2025. (Evan Zimmerman / MurphyMade)
Now playing: Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” returns to the road in “a revitalized production of this romantic and haunting tale about a disfigured musical genius known only as the Phantom who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House.” The longest-running show in Broadway history closed in 2023 after 13,981 performances. Through Dec. 7; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $213.90-$58.45; hennepinarts.org.
‘My Fair Lady’
Now playing: One of the most-loved musicals of all time, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” follows Professor Henry Higgins as he takes on the ambitious task of molding flower seller Eliza Doolittle into his vision of refinement. Songs from the show include “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live” and “Get Me to the Church on Time.” Through Dec. 28; Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis: $92.75-$21.75; 612-339-3003 or latteda.org.
‘Annie’
Now playing: Based on the comic strip that debuted in 1924, the original Broadway production of “Annie” featured a young Sarah Jessica Parker, ran for nearly six years and won seven Tony Awards, including best musical and original score. It has since lived on through various revivals, tours and regional productions thanks to such memorable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Tomorrow” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Through Dec. 14; Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake; $43-$23; 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org.
‘Scrooge in Rouge’
Now playing: Open Eye Theatre’s latest nontraditional holiday production is a quick-change, cross-dressing musical riff on the perennial holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Parents should be aware of the show’s double entendres with sexual innuendo that are in the spirit of British humorists Monty Python and Benny Hill, according to the theater. Through Dec. 28; Open Eye Theatre, 506 E. 24th St., Mpls.; $35.20; 612-874-6338 or openeyetheatre.org.
‘Black Nativity’
Soloist Greta Oglesby in Penumbra Theatre”s 2022 production of “Black Nativity.”
Opens Dec. 2: First staged at Penumbra in 1987, “Black Nativity” features gospel numbers brought to life under the musical direction of Sanford Moore. In a Pioneer Press review of last year’s production, Hubbard wrote that “you might enter Penumbra’s little theater in the Rondo neighborhood thinking you’re going to a show, but it doesn’t take long to realize that you are in church.” Through Dec. 24; 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul; $45-$10; 651-288-6786 or penumbratheatre.org.
‘Miss Richfield 1981: There’s a Pill for the Holidays!’
Opens Dec. 5: Illusion Theater is once again presenting an evening with Miss Richfield 1981, who hails from the town “where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage.” The drag-queen alter ego of Russ King, Miss Richfield 1981 was called “the must-see act in Provincetown” by the New York Post, with the Pioneer Press raving that “in these divided times, Miss R. is tonic — and gin — for the soul.” Expect, among many other things, to hear Christmas carols played on a cross-cut saw. Through Dec. 21; Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. S., Minneapolis; $77-$49.50; 612-382-6406 or illusiontheater.org.
‘Dinner for One’
Opens Dec. 6: Inspired by an iconic slapstick comedy sketch and New Year’s Eve tradition in Europe for more than 60 years, “Dinner for One” follows a butler as he attempts to help his employer celebrate her annual dinner party. Many mishaps follow. Through Jan. 4; Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.; $95-$15; 612-822-7063 or jungletheater.org.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Opens Dec. 9: This sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice is loosely based on the Gospel accounts of the Passion. When the composers couldn’t secure the funding to produce the show, they released the score as an album that quickly became a best seller and led to the musical’s Broadway debut in 1971. It has remained a popular show for touring casts and regional theaters seeking to take a fresh look at the classic. Through Dec. 28; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $161.50-$46.50; 651-224-4222 or ordway.org.
‘The Wiz’
Opens Dec. 16: This new take on “The Wiz” launched with a 2023 tour followed by a limited engagement on Broadway in spring 2024. The show reimagines the classic novel with an all-Black cast and music that blends soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk. Comic and writer Amber Ruffin updated the show, just as she did for “Some Like it Hot,” which visited Minneapolis in 2024. Through Dec. 21; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $203.90-$70.45; hennepinarts.org.
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