Holiday Shows Worth Seeing (pt. 1)

We holiday hard here in the Twin Cities theater scene. We holiday so hard that I’m going to make another list in our December guide, but let’s dive into part 1 now – featuring holiday shows that are running in November! –Anna

🎁 Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at Children's Theatre Company

This show is a must-see for my family. We’re huge fans of the cast, and especially Reed Sigmund who plays The Grinch, so I reached out to him to ask him my two burning questions. I was curious, after all these years of playing The Grinch, how he finds ways to keep it fresh. He said, “I think it just comes down to remaining present. Present onstage, present to the audience, present to the other actors (especially new cast members and the impulses they bring), and present to the world around us. Theatre is alive! My role, and our story, should be a reflection of where we exist currently. By embracing that, instead of clinging to the familiar (as cozy and comfortable as it may be) we can add relevance to a story that’s proven to be timeless.” I also asked him what, in 2026, kids can learn from The Grinch. He said, “This story will always be about empathy and what happens when we step outside our familiar habits and beliefs, to see ourselves and each other through a fresh lens. Empathy is empowering! And more necessary at this moment of time than any other.” Showing Nov. 3 – Jan. 3

🕰️ A Christmas Carol at Guthrie Theater

I don’t see this show every year, but I make sure to see it whenever I have a theater lover in my life that I really want to impress with a big budget, super spectacular experience. It does feel like something new and extra special is added each year, and this is just such a timeless story that I truly don’t get sick of hearing it in its many iterations on stage. Showing Nov. 11 – Dec. 27

❄️ ALL IS CALM: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at The Ritz Theater

This is my official and shameless plea to get on the press list for Theater Latté Da because I am telling you – these people cannot miss. Some of my favorite shows that I’ve ever seen in the Twin Cities have been in the lovely Ritz Theater in NE Minneapolis, which is why I feel confident recommending a show to you that I’ve never even seen. Here’s how the company describes this show: “On a cold Christmas Eve along the Western Front, as soldiers sat on opposite sides of the battlefield, something extraordinary happened. The guns fell silent. Emerging into no-man’s-land, enemies met not with violence, but with song. Drawn from letters, diaries and firsthand accounts, this profoundly moving piece is told through stirring a cappella harmonies that illuminate a fleeting moment of shared humanity in the midst of war.” I’m in! Showing Nov. 24 – Dec. 27

🤜🫷 Kung Fu Zombies vs Southeast Asian Girl Scouts at Frey Theater

From Theater Mu, the story is inspired by a real Southeast Asian Girl Scout troop in St. Paul and uses “humor and sci-fi to examine how communities deal with conflict, harm, instability, and moral codes that change constantly if you want to survive.” You had me at martial arts, hip hop, and Asian heritage. We are so excited to interview the playwright next week! Showing Oct. 31 – Nov. 15

🥁 The Little Bummer Boy at Dudley Riggs Theatre

Did you know that you’re living/walking/shopping/driving around the Twin Cities which are home to the literal oldest ongoing satirical sketch and improv comedy theater in the United States? The Brave New Workshop has put on more than 400 (do you hear me?!) productions in the last 60 years. And listen to me very closely when I tell you there’s nothing harder to do than sketch comedy. The writing - the timing - the memorization - the precision. These folks are some of the most talented sketch performers in the world, and this show is always their top seller. Why would you miss it? How could you? Showing Nov. 12 – Jan. 16