Sure, the Rockettes can do high kicks, and yeah, the tree at Rock Center is pretty. But what better way to celebrate a festive evening in New York City than with a seasonal play? Come on, six viewings of "It's A Wonderful Life" are clearly enough!
One of the first plays by an African-American to be performed on Broadway, Langston Hughes' Gospel-inflected "Black Nativity" retells the Christmas story, set (for this production) in Times Square in 1973, at the Duke Theatre. 229 W. 42nd St.
There are several "Christmas Carol" shows, both uptown and downtown, but only one production features eight different companies, and that's the Gene Frankel Theatre's "Dickens' A Christmas Carol," December 21 through 28 in Nolita. 24 Bond St.
And after you've put the kids to bed, treat yourself to "Nutcracker: Rated R" at Theater for the New City because there must have been drugs involved to turn a mouse into a Rat King. Another option is "The Baby Janes: Holiday Kisses XXOX," a high-wire burlesque treat at La MaMa. 155 First Ave. (Nutcracker) and 74A E. 4th St.
[Photo of the 2005 PS122 Christmas show, "'Twas the Night Before the Twelve Days of a Nutcracker Christmas Carol": ultrasparky]]]>