Jacksonville Area Local Theatres Bring Holiday Cheer and New Year Surprises

In a recent conversation with Anne Schindler on First Coast Connect, JaxPlays Executive Director and theatre critic Ray Hollister offered an inside look at what’s lighting up local stages this holiday season and what’s on the horizon in the New Year.

For December, Hollister spotlighted several festive productions now running, including A Christmas Story The Musical at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining. Adapted by the same creative team behind Dear Evan Hansen, it brings a fresh energy to the beloved holiday classic. Meanwhile, the Spotlight Event Center’s take on A Year Without a Santa Claus and Apex Theatre Studio’s It’s A Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play deliver fun and nostalgia for families looking to soak up seasonal spirit. And for those craving a break from all things yuletide, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at Players by the Sea infuses the stage with disco energy.

All theatres will go dark after Christmas until January 7, but musical theatre nerds can still get their fix at the cinema with a sing-along version of Wicked at local movie theaters over the holiday lull.

Looking ahead to 2024, Hollister highlighted The Women of Lockerbie at Theatre Jacksonville, a poignant drama centered around healing and grief in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. Lighter fare comes with big-name musicals like Mamma Mia! from the FSCJ Artist Series and lively comedies like Southern Fried Funeral at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining.

For those who adore literary classics, the coming months bring dueling versions of Roald Dahl’s chocolatey worlds with Willy Wonka at Artist Connection Theatre and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Alhambra. Fans of stage thrills can anticipate Misery at ABET, while families can look forward to The Jungle Book and Peter Pan for kid-friendly fun.

Shindler reminded listeners that jaxplays.org is a comprehensive resource for show listings, interviews, theatre reviews and deeper insights into local productions. With so much variety — holiday romps, dramatic tearjerkers, beloved musicals and kid-friendly adventures — there’s something for everyone to enjoy on Jacksonville’s stages now and well into the New Year.