Give The Gift Of Entertainment This Holiday Season

by Robert D. Rook  
 
As the holidays draw near and you begin thinking of what color sweater to buy Dad or which lawn decoration may light up the brightest, consider taking a break from the norm by giving the gift of entertainment this holiday season. 

Our city is blessed with a wide array of entertainment taking place in December for you and yours to enjoy. Tickets to many of these events make for a great pre-stocking stuffers and there is something for everyone! They can attend a hilarious comedy, tap their toes to the sounds of the season, or perhaps just get away from it all for an evening. Whatever the event, the recipient will undoubtedly look back on it fondly for years to come.

So when you’re up to your ears in canned musac while shopping in the mall or bored to tears reading the same old hum-drum formatted Christmas letter, take a breather and refresh yourself in the holiday spirit by attending one of these great events during this holiday season! 

If you enjoy theatre, you will be happy to know that there are several great shows to take in this year. The Nebraska Repertory Theatre will offer an encore of David Sedaris' one man comedy The Santaland Diaries at UNL's Howell Theatre. Also on stage in December, Nebraska Wesleyan's Theatre offers the traditional holiday play, A Christmas Carol. Another time-honored holiday performing arts event will take place at the Lied Center as the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker.  

Some theatres in town will be offering original productions this holiday, such as the TADA Theatre's production of A Rockin' Christmas and The Haymarket Theatre's children's production of The Spirit Of Christmas. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Lied Center will offer the Broadway hit Avenue Q, while The Lincoln Community Playhouse will present Babes in Toyland. Without a doubt, there is quite a wide variety of theatre this holiday. 

If you're looking for an array of musical groups to see in December, the Star City will not disappoint. Riders in the Sky will present “Christmas the Cowboy Way” on stage at the Lied Center. Later in the month, Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra will offer traditional sounds of the season with their production of “Deck the Halls.” The Lincoln Civic Choir will perform a concert not to be missed at O'Donnell Auditorium, one that will include excerpts from Handel's "Messiah."  

There is also the wonderful Abendmusik Chorus and Plymouth Brass celebration of the holiday season entitled, “Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room.” Are you a fan of the great sounds of jazz for Christmas? Then head to the Cornhusker Marriott to hear the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra put their own twist on songs of the season with “Christmas and All That Jazz.” 

Additionally, there are time-honored events taking place that are always a crowd favorite, including the Star City Parade and “Holidays In The Haymarket.” There are also some well-kept secrets to be enjoyed as well, like Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Carson Theatre and the Elizabethan Feast at Nebraska Wesleyan. Last, but not least, there are the events taking place in December that will make you forget what time of year it is, such as King Lear at UNL's Theatre and the Cornhusker Marching Band’s indoor concert at the Lied Center. 

These are just a few of the many events being offered during December in our great city! Support the wonderful talent and great performers we have here in Lincoln by gathering a group of family and friends and relishing in the fruits of countless hours of rehearsals and preparation. When you do, you are sure to receive the great gift of entertainment in return. 

Here is a summary of events and web links for dates and more information: 
The Santaland Diaries
A Christmas Carol
The Nutcracker
TADA's Rockin' Christmas
The Spirit Of Christmas
Avenue Q
Babes in Toyland
Christmas the Cowboy Way
Deck the Halls
A Christmas Celebration
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
Christmas and All That Jazz
Star City Parade
Holidays In The Haymarket
King Lear
Elizabethan Feast
Cornhusker Marching Band