On Our Holiday Stages

It may be the holidays, but all the world’s a stage. Some of D.C.’s upcoming theater and opera is tied to the spirit of the season, and the rest is there to brighten and deepen our short days and long nights. Here are our top picks.

Appomattox — Washington National Opera presents Philip Glass’s acclaimed opera, a modern American epic which links the Civil War and Civil Rights eras. Solomon Howard plays Martin Luther King and Frederick Douglass. Kennedy Center, Opera House, through Nov. 22.

Semiramide — Washington Concert Opera takes on Rossini’s rarely performed opera, with coloratura soprano Jessica Pratt and mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux. Maestro Anthony Walker is back for his 14th season. Lisner Auditorium, Nov. 22.

Pericles — Shakespeare’s adventure tale comes to D.C. from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, directed by Joseph Haj and complete with dazzling projections and live music. Folger Theatre, through Dec. 20.

Akeelah and the Bee — The Children’s Theatre Company’s world premiere of Cheryl L. West’s play based on the film, and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Arena Stage, Kreeger Theater, through Dec. 27.

Guys and Dolls — Frank Loesser’s musical about Times Square swells, showgirls and gamblers, directed by Jerry Whiddon. “Luck be a Lady,” indeed. Olney Theatre Center, through Dec. 27.

Kiss Me Kate — This production, directed by the gifted Alan Paul, stars Douglas Sills and Christine Sherrill. Shakespeare Theatre Company, Sidney Harman Hall, through Jan. 3.

Oliver! — Lionel Bart’s smash Broadway musical tale of Dickens’s urchin, directed by Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith, has settled in. Arena Stage, Fichandler Stage, through Jan. 3.

Holiday Memories — Tom Hewitt directed this adaptation of Truman Capote’s memory piece, featuring Christopher Henley. Theatre on the Run, Arlington, Nov. 25–Dec. 20.

Black Nativity — Langston Hughes’s celebration of music, faith and Black identity. Anacostia Playhouse, Nov. 25–Jan. 3.

Motown The Musical — The story of Berry Gordy, who discovered Diana Ross, the Jacksons, Smokey Robinson and other stars who remade R&B in the 1960s. National Theatre, Dec. 1–Jan. 3.

Stage Kiss — A new play by the incomparable Sarah Ruhl, directed by Aaron Posner. Round House Theatre, Bethesda, Dec. 2–27.

Bright Star — Love and redemption in the American South of the 1920s and 1940s in a show from Grammy and Emmy award-winner (and movie star) Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell. Kennedy Center, Eisenhower Theater, Dec. 2–Jan. 10.

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind — The Chicago-based Neo-Futurists bring back a favorite, but entirely original, mini-play. Not, we understand, for the faint of heart. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Dec. 7–Jan. 3.

Hansel and Gretel — WNO’s Holiday Family Opera. Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, Dec. 12–20.

Matilda, The Musical — Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, the show that became a Broadway hit comes to D.C. Kennedy Center, Opera House, Dec. 15–Jan. 10.

Stars of David: Story to Song — Now for something completely different, a musical revue celebrating Jewish public figures from Ruth Bader Ginsberg to Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Shirley Serotsky, based on the book by Abigail Pogrebin. Theater J, Dec. 22–27.