Holiday shows to see in York, Lancaster, Hershey

It just doesn't feel like Christmas until you've seen some of your favorite holiday classics performed live on stage.

Here's a list of local holiday shows you won't want to miss from the classic "White Christmas" to the 21st century comedy "Elf."

“A Christmas Story”

Watch Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure he’ll see a Red Ryder BB gun under the tree on Christmas morning in this holiday comedy musical. The show is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Details: Nov. 12-Dec. 31 at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster. Tickets range from $19-$56. Visit dutchapple.com for more information.

“Elf”

Buddy the Elf embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, remove his dad off the naughty list and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas in this 21st century holiday tradition.

Details: Select dates and times Nov. 15-Jan. 3 at Fulton Theatre, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Ticket prices vary. Visit thefulton.org for more information.

“White Christmas”

Based on the classic holiday film, this musical follows veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis who follow a duo of singing sisters to a Vermont lodge, owned by their former army commander. Expect to hear favorite songs like “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano” and “White Christmas.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20-21 and 27-28, 3 p.m. Nov. 22 and 29 and 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at York Little Theatre, 27 S. Belmont St., York. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors 62 and up, $20 for students 13 and up, $12 for children 12 and under. Visit ylt.org for more information.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

Find out if the town will survive after a group of ornery kids take over the annual Christmas pageant in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 at DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre, 100 Carlisle Ave., York. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $14 for reserved seating. Visit dreamwrights.org for more information.

"The Hip Nut"

See "The Nutcracker" like you've never seen it before. Rather than the traditional ballet style, this Greater York Dance production will feature old school and new-school hip hop, jazz, contemporary, salsa and even Bollywood music and dancing. The story, which will be narrated in poetry rap form, begins with Clara window shopping with her girlfriends as a fight breaks out in the street. Expect to see a lot of street dancing and hip hop as Clara meets her prince and falls in love.

Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, 50 N. George St., York. Tickets are $20. Visit mystrandcapitol.org for more information.

"The Nutcracker Ballet" – Midstate Ballet of Greater York Dance

For those looking for a more traditional version of "The Nutcracker," Greater York Dance will stage "The Nutcracker Ballet" on the weekend following "The Hip Nut." This production will feature about 100 performers from all walks of life, including students, school principals and attorneys as well as professional guest artists. Greater York Dance ballet faculty member Eurosphyne (Renee) Avery will dance the lead role of the Sugar Plum Fairy alongside the former principal dancer of Texas Ballet Theatre Eddy Tovar. And Northeastern High School freshman Sofia Herbst will dance alongside Dallas Metropolitan Ballet dancer Shea Johnson, as the Snow Queen and Snow King.

Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, 50 N. George St., York. Tickets are $15-$33 for children and $19-$45 for adults. Visit mystrandcapitol.org for more information.

“The Nutcracker” – Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet

Tony Award-winning conductor Stuart Malina will lead the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.”

Details: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 at Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey. Tickets range from $28-$51 for children 12 and under and $33-$51 for adults. Visit hersheytheatre.com for more information.