More holiday traditions for Milwaukee

Music 

Christopher Seaman will conduct the MSO in five concerts of Handel’s Messiah at three local churches. Photo credit Walter Colley.

It’s almost Christmas, which means it’s just about time for Handel’s Messiah to make an appearance. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs the piece at three local churches this week: St. Mary’s Faith Community in Hales Corners on Wednesday, St. Josaphat Basilica on Thursday and Friday, and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Saturday and Sunday. The orchestra is joined by the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and the Florentine Opera’s Studio Artists, and will be led by guest conductor Christopher Seaman. All shows are 7:30 p.m. except the Sunday matinee at 1:30 p.m., and tickets are $30 to $40. Call (414) 291-7605 or visit the MSO website to order.

Sandi Patty and the MSO perform a collection of Christmas tunes Saturday at the Riverside.

The MSO will also back inspirational singer Sandi Patty at the Riverside Theater Saturday night, led by assistant conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong. Patty, a Grammy award-winner and Gospel Hall of Fame member, will perform a collection of carols and classics. The show is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, and tickets are $22 to $62. Visit the Riverside’s online box office to order.

Wisconsin Lutheran College hosts Steve Lippia and his big band for a Simply Sinatra Christmas Saturday. Both Sinatra classics like “All the Way” and “Summer Wind” and holiday favorites will be on the program. The show starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 with a pre-show dinner option at 6 p.m. Tickets are $37, $34 seniors/donors and $12 students, with the dinner for an additional $24; call (414) 443-8802 or visit the online box office to order.

Theater

This weekend, Dale Gutzman’s Holiday Punch returns to Off the Wall Theatre. As usual, the annual show features the full roster of Off the Wall regulars—much too long to list in full—for a holiday extravaganza that includes sketches on The Price is Right, gay marriage and the Middle East, a crazy quiz show, and a collection of Christmas carols and parodies. Shows are Dec. 16 through Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m. excepting a Dec. 18 matinee at 4:30 p.m. and a New Year’s Eve show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.50, $28.50 for reserved seating, and $35 for the Dec. 31 show; call (414) 327-3552 or order online.

Special Events

Tom Crawford performs at one of Ex Fabula’s “Terminal Milwaukee” events. Photo by Kat Berger.

Since 2009, Milwaukee group Ex Fabula has been gathering tales at monthly storytelling events, and this weekend they host their second annual holiday Storytelling Spectacular at Turner Hall Ballroom. Based around the theme “Family Ties,” the show will fit Ex Fabula’s usual format: audience members sign up to present stories alone or in pairs, and then names are randomly pulled out of a hat to tell five-minute stories alongside special guests. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, and tickets are $12. Call (414) 286-3663 or visit the Turner Hall box office.

Fireside Theatre: A Fireside Christmas, through Dec. 22

Milwaukee Rep: A Christmas Carol, through Dec. 24

Milwaukee Ballet: The Nutcracker, through Dec. 26

First Stage: Junie B in Jingle Bells Batman Smells, through Dec. 29 (RUN EXTENDED)

In Tandem Theatre: Scrooge in Rouge, through Dec. 31

Sunset Playhouse: Annie, through Dec. 31

Marcus Center: A Kodachrome Christmas starring John McGivern, through Dec. 31

Milwaukee Rep: Song Man Dance Man, through Jan. 8

Milwaukee Rep: Next to Normal, through Jan. 15

Last Chance

Alchemist Theatre: Who Killed the Ghost of Christmas Past?, through Dec. 17

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre: Heroes, through Dec. 18

Skylight Opera Theatre: The Music Man, through Dec. 18

Next Act Theatre: Sylvia, through Dec. 18

American Players Theatre: The Gift of the Magi, through Dec. 18