If you’re looking for a fabulous way to celebrate the joy of Christmas at a theater in NYC, there are two annual themed concerts and a new Broadway musical based on a popular movie that are guaranteed to bring good cheer to your holiday season, in a variety of styles for all ages.
Elf – When Buddy, who was raised by Santa and his elves in the North Pole (you’ll find out how he got there), discovers that he is actually human (he’s a lot bigger than the others and he’s not as good at making toys), he embarks on a hilarious journey to NYC in search of his actual father (a workaholic who neglects his present wife and their young son, and isn’t thrilled about Buddy’s arrival). But with his uplifting attitude and heartwarming personality (and a few big goof-ups along the way), the irresistible Buddy helps everyone in his family and the city to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Starring Tony nominee Grey Henson as the adorable Buddy and Sean Astin in his Broadway debut as the storytelling Santa, the high-energy laugh-filled show takes us through eighteen lively song-and-dance numbers performed by a terrific cast and large ensemble, with a colorful set, dazzling costumes, active lighting and projections, and even an immersive snowfall.
Elf plays through Saturday, January 4, 2024, at the Marquis Theatre, 210 West 46th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $142.50-402.00, including fees), go online.
The 14th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza – Since 2008, Tony-nominated multi-hyphenate Joe Iconis and his chosen family of triple threats from the musical stage have been bringing their self-described “New York City Twisted Holiday Tradition” to the heart of the theater district in their home-away-from-home at 54 Below. This year’s wild yuletide celebration, directed by John Simpkins and written by Iconis, features a roster of more than 40 of his talented longtime and recent collaborators (please note that all artists and acts are subject to change, depending on availability), including special guest star Annie Golden and a stellar line-up of musicians and cast members, too numerous to mention, from his past concerts and original musical-theater productions, surrounding and immersing the audience in song, skits, familiar characters, and drunken revelry, with affecting camaraderie that radiates throughout the house and makes you feel like you, too, are a part of the family. Be sure to get your tickets now, because, as always, they’re selling out fast.
The 14th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza plays Friday, December 13-Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 7 and 11 pm (doors open at 5:30 and 10 pm), at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, cellar, NYC. For more information and tickets (priced at $51-111.50, including fees, plus a $25 per person food and beverage minimum), go online. The 7 pm performance on December 15 will also be livestreamed (in real time only; it will not be available on demand afterwards); for tickets (priced at $28.50, including fees), click here.
Boy Band Brunch: Holiday Edition – As part of their ongoing Saturday bi-weekly residency at City Winery NYC, The Boy Band Project will “Jingle Your Bells” with the latest installment of their festive holiday show for two performances on December 14 (the first is already sold out so a second was added) and another on December 28. Lead, host, and founder Travis Nesbitt will take to the stage with Jesse Johnson, Nathan Cockroft, and Devin Neilson on the 14th (the rotating cast of stars from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theater hasn’t been confirmed yet for the 28th), performing covers of the greatest hits of the popular guy groups from the ‘80s to the present, along with their own original songs, embodying the boy-band types and style with hot vocals, tight harmonies, sizzling choreography, tongue-in-cheek humor, and up-close-and-personal interactions with the audience, enhanced with video projections and dazzling costumes. There’s also a selection of cool BBP merch for sale and the Boys are available for free meet-and-greets and photo ops after the show, so don’t forget to bring your camera.
Boy Band Brunch: Holiday Edition plays Saturday December 14, noon-2 pm and 3:30-5:30 pm, and December 28, noon-2 pm (doors open a half hour in advance of show time), at City Winery NYC, 25 Eleventh Avenue, NYC. For tickets (priced at $37.40, including fees; brunch is not included, and there is no food/drink minimum), go online.
