Curtains Up on the Holiday Season

As the song goes, “Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays.” Though that may be true, there’s nowhere quite like the theater, either. The lights dim, the curtain rises, and you’re transported to another time and place. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, all while feeling those warm fuzzies, especially at Christmastime.

This holiday season, we’re shining a spotlight on our local theaters that have plenty of festive performances planned. Join us on a tour of the Brandywine Valley’s performing arts scene, wending our way through Chester and Delaware Counties and ending across the border in Delaware. (Check websites for times and ticket information.)

Grab some popcorn and don’t forget your ticket!

Chester County

Our tour begins in Chester County, where theaters and performers have been as working diligently as Santa’s elves to fill the season with holiday magic. Dazzling plays and musicals, quintessential holiday movies and rockin’ concerts — our local theaters have it all.

We start in the county seat — West Chester. December is a big month at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, with a schedule jam-packed with holiday happenings for all ages and tastes. On December 6, before the annual Christmas parade kicks off at 7 p.m., start the festivities early with “The Holiday Cheer Show.” Hear holiday classics as well as pop and R&B tunes sung by Uptown Studio’s student performers.

Uptown’s other holiday concerts include The Celtic Tenors (December 9), Cartoon Christmas Trio (December 17) and Twelve Twenty-Four, a Trans-Siberian Orchestra tribute (December 18). Or see a festive film on Movie Mondays — just $5 and popcorn included! Selections include “Elf,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Polar Express” and “Frozen.” UptownWestChester.org.

Also at Uptown, Revival Productions performs Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” December 7 to 29. This Broadway staple features all the beloved songs from the movie, plus new ones exclusive to the stage production. The December 8 performance includes ASL interpreters. Revival-Productions.com.

Another option, head north to Lionville for the Barley Sheaf Players’ performance of “Prancer,” December 6 to 8. When an injured reindeer, believed to be Santa’s own Prancer, appears in the woods near young Jessica’s home, it sparks a series of events that touches the hearts of the whole community. BarleySheaf.org.

Next, make your way to Chester Springs, home of SALT Performing Arts. See their rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” through December 15. As part of their decade-long partnership with the Chester County Food Bank, SALT is collecting hot breakfast cereals at every performance, and $1 from each ticket sale is directly donated to the food bank. SALTPA.com.

Over in Phoenixville, The Colonial Theatre has several holiday shows planned. On December 6, Jessica Lynn’s “A Very Merry Classic Christmas” returns for its third year. This multimedia presentation with dancers, choirs, surprises and special effects once again collects money and gifts for Toys for Tots. Other performances include “The Phoenixville Christmas Spectacular” with Feet First Dance (December 7 and 8), “The Swingin’ Jazz Nutcracker” (December 11) and the Vocal Fusion Holiday Concert, starring Phoenixville Area High School’s a capella group (December 12). TheColonialTheatre.com.

On the Main Line, you’ll find two talented groups bringing holiday joy this season. In Malvern, see “Peter Panto” at People’s Light through January 5. People’s Light’s annual panto invites you to cheer the heroes, boo the villains, clap and sing along to this holiday tradition with roots in 17th-century England. This year’s panto takes you to Neverland, with all the characters you know and love — Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook — and perhaps a few you don’t, like a TikTok-famous crocodile and three card-playing dogs. PeoplesLight.org.

Then go to Berwyn’s Footlighters Theater for “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” December 6 to 15. Adapted from Barbara Robinson’s 1972 novel, the play stars the six rowdy Herdman children, who take over their church’s pageant and teach the shocked townspeople the true meaning of Christmas. FootlightersTheater.com.

Our last few stops in Chester County bring us south. On December 6, the Kennett Flash presents John Flynn’s Annual Holiday Concert to Benefit Camp Dreamcatcher. Come support Camp Dreamcatcher’s mission to foster an environment of tolerance, compassion, respect and understanding of those affected by HIV and AIDS. KennettFlash.org.

Then look ahead to the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society’s 24th annual British panto, “Arthur and the Enchanted Sword,” January 24 and 25 at Kennett High School. CallKATS.org.

In nearby West Grove, see ACT Players’ rendition of “A Christmas Carol.” From December 6 to 15 at Avon Grove Middle School, join the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they guide Ebeneezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. ACTPlayers.org.

Delaware County

Once you’ve exhausted your options in Chester County, head east to Delco’s theaters shining bright.

In Everybody’s Hometown, The Media Theatre performs “Winter Wonderland,” December 6 to 29. This musical revue features all your favorite seasonal songs and characters in a one-of-a-kind theatrical journey. Plus, the theater’s Youth Ensemble puts on “The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition” on weekends, December 13 to 29. MediaTheatre.org.

Or see the Players Club of Swarthmore’s take on “The Wizard of Oz,” December 20 to January 4. Follow the yellow brick road in the stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic score from the 1939 film. PCSTheater.org.

Wilmington

Finally, cross the state line to Wilmington, where the city’s theaters await you.

First, head to historic Ardentown for the Candlelight Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn,” running through December 22. Based on the Oscar-winning film, this joyous musical is set in a Connecticut farmhouse-turned-inn, which puts on shows celebrating each holiday from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. Enjoy thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and nearly two dozen Berlin classics. CandlelightTheatreDelaware.org.

Then go downtown for the Delaware Theatre Company’s latest show, “Home for the Holidays in the 302,” December 4 to 22. Described as “White Christmas” meets “The Ed Sullivan Show,” this cavalcade of song, dance and cheer features a variety of talent from the First State (hence the 302), plus special appearances from local celebs. DelawareTheatre.org.

Last but certainly not least, catch a festive show at The Grand Opera House. December’s lineup kicks off with Eleone Dance Theatre’s “Carols in Color” presented by the Christina Cultural Arts Center, December 1 at Copeland Hall. This holiday tradition retells the story of Christ’s birth using contemporary music, exuberant dance and powerful narration. Later, First State Ballet Theatre performs “The Nutcracker,” December 14 to 22.

Or see the Wilmington Ballet’s version of the Tchaikovsky classic, December 13 to 15 at The Playhouse on Rodney Square, The Grand’s sister stage. Then round up the kiddos for “A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage,” bringing the timeless TV special to life on December 22. TheGrandWilmington.org.

This holiday season, explore our region’s thriving arts scene and take in a show — or two — at our fine theaters. Or spread joy by gifting tickets to friends and family. And, of course, continue supporting the arts all year long.

Happy holidays!

More in Lancaster County

Here’s a sample of even more holiday magic in Lancaster County. Tickets and times online.

American Music Theatre. Through December 30, “The 2024 Christmas Show: Joy to the World.” 2425 Lincoln Hwy. E., Lancaster. AMTShows.com.

Bird-in-Hand Stage. Through December 28, “The Christmas Candy Caper.” December 13 & 28, “Ryan & Friends: A Comic Christmas.” 3063 Lincoln Hwy. E., Paradise. Bird-In-Hand.com/Stage.

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. Through January 5, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.” 510 Centreville Rd., Lancaster. DutchApple.com.

The Fulton Theatre. Through December 29, “Frozen: The Broadway Musical.” November 30–December 28, “A Christmas Carol.” December 6–29, “Who’s Holiday!” 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster. TheFulton.org.

Sight & Sound Theatres. Through December 31, “Daniel: Live on Stage.” 300 Hartman Bridge Rd., Ronks. Sight-Sound.com.