Holiday traditions return to Kansas City stages: How to see ‘Nutcracker,’ ‘Messiah’ & more
The holiday performing arts season kicks into high gear on the first full weekend of December with the return of three Kansas City traditions.
The Kansas City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” and the Kansas City Symphony’s “Handel’s Messiah” will take over the Kauffman Center, just as they have every December since the building opened in 2011. Meanwhile, the Nativity Puppets will return to Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The ballet has presented “The Nutcracker” for more than 50 years, dating to the early 1970s at local high schools and with stretches at the Lyric Theatre (now the Kirk Family YMCA), the Music Hall and the Midland Theatre.
“Handel’s Messiah” has been on the symphony’s annual schedule since 1992, when the orchestra called the Lyric Theatre home. The symphony joined forces on the production with the Independence Messiah Choir, which had performed “Messiah” since 1916, for a decade before that partnership ended in 2016.
“The Nativity,” written and designed by Paul Mesner and featuring larger-than-life-size puppets, enters its 25th year at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral (although the pandemic wiped out the production 2020). Nativity Puppets Inc. took over from Mesner Puppet Theater in 2021.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to attend.
Kansas City Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
When and where will it be held?
The show will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and run through Dec. 24, with two shows on several dates. There will be no shows on Mondays or Tuesdays except Dec. 23 and 24. It will run at Muriel Kauffman Theatre in the Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd.
How much does it cost?
Tickets are $34-250.
Where can I park?
Parking in the Arts District parking garage south of and beneath the Kauffman Center costs $13 in advance or $16 the day of the performance. Parking also is available on neighboring lots, which charge varying rates, and along streets.
One thing to know
Devon Carney, artistic director of the Kansas City Ballet since 2013, wrote this adaptation of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It premiered in 2015.
Where can I get more information?
Kansas City Symphony’s ‘Handel’s Messiah’
When and where will it be held?
Shows will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Helzberg Hall in the Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd.
How much does it cost?
Tickets are $30-$95.
Where can I park?
Parking in the Arts District parking garage south of and beneath the Kauffman Center costs $13 in advance or $16 the day of the performance. Parking also is available on neighboring lots, which charge varying rates, and along streets.
One thing to know
Patrick Summers, artistic and music director of the Houston Grand Opera, will be the guest conductor of the Kansas City Symphony and Chorus.
Where can I get more information?
Nativity Puppets
When and where will it be held?
Shows will begin at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St. in downtown.
How much does it cost?
Tickets are $15-$18.
Where can I park?
There is free parking at the cathedral, but spaces are limited.
One thing to know
The production involves more than 40 volunteers, instrumentalists, vocalists and singers from the community.
Where can I get more information?
Other holiday performances
“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play”: Dec. 5-22, MTH Theater at Crown Center, 2405 Grand Blvd. ($45-$65). musictheaterheritage.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd. ($64.99-$124.99). t-mobilecenter.com
Joyce DiDonato, “Kings ReJoyce” with Kings Return and pianist Craig Terry: 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd. ($12.50-$90). hjseries.org
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd. ($14-$80). kcjo.org
Already running
Kansas City Repertory Theatre, “A Christmas Carol”: Through Dec. 28 at Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St. ($54-$144). kcrep.org
“Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big KC MO Christmas Show”: Through Dec. 22 at Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St. ($52). unicorntheatre.org/scrooge-kc
Quixotic, “Winterland: A Holiday Cirque Experience”: Through Dec. 22, Grand Theater, Crown Center, 2405 Grand Blvd. ($35-$200). quixoticfusion.com
“Christmas in Song”: Through Dec. 22, Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W. 10th St. ($42-$45). qualityhillplayhouse.com
