5 Holiday-themed Theatre Picks for December 2018

It's the most wonderful time of the year... to visit the theatre, of course!

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why... Santa Claus is comin' to town! And as always, this little town of New York City is dazzling bright with Christmas lights, trees, ice rinks and Christmas markets!

To celebrate the Holiday season, here are five theatre picks to warm the cockles of your hearts...

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"! Two-time Tony Award nominee Gavin Lee is set to steal the show (and Christmas too, of course!) as he takes on the role of perhaps one of Dr. Seuss' most iconic characters. How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is set to play the humongous, 5,500-seat capacity Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden from December 13 to 30. This musical version of the popular Dr. Seuss tale features music by Mel Marvin, with book & lyrics by Timothy Mason and it staged its Broadway premiere in 2006. Its successful debut run scored a return Broadway engagement in 2007 and now, 11 years later, The Grinch is back to terrorize Whoville (in New York City) one more time! Why not treat your little Whos to a theatrical trip they'll never forget?

Dr. Seuss' How The Grich Stole Christmas Tickets are available now for performances from December 13 to 30, 2018. 

Ruben & Clay's Christmas Show

From December 7 to December 30, two "American Idol" favorites are re-uniting on the Broadway stage to serenade us with their favorite Christmas songs and tickle our festive funny bones with a handful of comic sketches. Ruben & Clay's Christmas Show (aka Ruben & Clay's First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show) will mark the first-time this odd couple of performers (Rubben Studdard and Clay Aiken) have appeared on stage together since their rise to fame on the second season of "American Idol" in 2003. An official opening at the Imperial Theatre is set for December 11.

Ruben & Clay's Christmas Show Tickets are available now for performances from December 7 to 30, 2018.

Christmas Spectacular starring The Radio City Rockettes

Christmas in New York City simply wouldn't be complete without the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. This festive tradition that reaches back to 1933 has entertained millions of New Yorkers and tourists alike, bringing families together to share in this classic showcase of everything Christmas. Headlined by New York's world-class dance troupe The Rockettes, the show has evolved, of course, over the years and now includes the latest of high-tech enhancements, such as 100 flying drones! Some numbers - "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Toyland Ball" for example - are as timeless as ever and "The Living Nativity" (paying homage to the religious origins of Christmas) boasts live animals, as donkeys, camels and more furry friends cross the stage. If you haven't taken your young ones to the Christmas Spectacular yet, make this Christmas one to remember!

Christmas Spectacular starring The Radio City Rockettes Tickets are available now for performances through to January 6, 2019.

A Child's Christmas in Wales

If more intimate festive affairs are more your kinda thing, then we recommend taking a trip off-Broadway to experience a musical celebration of Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales, adapted and directed by Charlotte Moore, and presented at the Irish Repertory Theatre. This iconic story of a snowy Christmas Day in Wales is interwoven with both classic and contemporary Christmas music and has become somewhat of an Irish Rep tradition in its own right.

A Child's Christmas in Wales continues performances through to December 30, 2018.

Christmas in Hell

And, finally, if you're looking for something completely different and fed up of the wholesome family kinda festive fun, then may we point you in the direction of the York Theatre Company for the Off-Broadway premiere of a PG 13-rated musical comedy Christmas in Hell. Written by Gary Apple (who has written for shows such as "The Simpsons") and directed and choreographed by Bill Castellino, find out what happens when little 6-year-old Davin is mistakenly carried off into the depths of Hell one Christmas Eve... A Mircale on 34th Street, this ain't!

Christmas in Hell runs off-Broadway from December 4 to 30, 2018.

So, all that's left to say is "Happy Holidays!" from everyone here at the New York Theatre Guide and we hope that at least one of these theatrical treats will get you in the festive mood! 'Tis the season to be jolly, after all!