So now that the turkey’s been eaten, and the football games won, I feel like I can rightfully turn on my Christmas music stations and start to get into the holiday season! Yessss. There are gobs and gobs of local holiday things to do during the month of December – from family friendly stuff, to community parades and events, our sweet little valley towns have the holiday bases covered. But one of the bests gifts I ever received were tickets to a musical during the Christmas season. I used the tickets to take my husband on an old-fashioned dinner and theatre date, and the night was just right. This year, there are 3 Christmas musicals that you mustn’t miss out on, so get your calendar ready and your Christmas spirit perched for a special way to usher in December.
42nd Street is known as the quintessential American musical comedy classic. The 1980 Broadway production won a Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit from the start, eventually earning another Tony for Best Revival in 2001 – and now, the touring company hits Fresno! 42nd Street is famous for some of the most familiar tunes of musical history: “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and of course “42nd Street.” This is a show to just sit back and enjoy. The touring 42nd Street comes to Fresno’s Saroyan Theatre THIS WEEK, on December 1-2, both shows at 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Tower District’s Good Company Players has been around for literally decades, and there’s a reason why: it’s really darned good. Founded back in 1973, has mounted over 450 productions between Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre and Second Space Theatre down the street, producing 12 shows a year. 2015’s holiday season showcases A Christmas Story, The Musical by Good Company Players’ Roger Rocka’s. Yes, this is the leg lamp, tongue stuck to a pole movie you’ve all seen on TBS a thousand and one times, but with the added bonus of some pretty fabulous stage music and tap dancing. This PG rated musical runs Thursdays through Sundays, with two shows most Sundays. You can make it a full evening by having dinner and the show – Roger Rocka’s has some AMAZING eats and drinks to add an element of adventure to the night. Dinner and a show is $50, and show-only is $30, and tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office. Isn’t local theatre just the best?!
So it isn’t your typical musical debut, but I just couldn’t leave this one off the list: 
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is making it’s way to Visalia’s Fox Theatre on Thursday, December 3, at 5:30pm (doors at 5pm). Just a 40 minute drive from Fresno proper, Fox Theatre in Visalia was built in 1929, and is now a cultural hub for concerts, old and new movies, ballets, symphonies – even The Beach Boys will perform there in January! If you haven’t been, Fox Theatre is a true hidden gem. To catch the holiday movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, bring 4 cans for a food donation or $5 per ticket – even the Grinch himself will be there to meet and greet the littles (all proceeds to go the Visalia Rescue Mission). For more info, visit the theatre’s website.
If it’s a date night, a family night, or a gift in and of itself, mark those calendars for a show on the big stage (or screen!) and make some good ol’ fashioned holiday memories this year.
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