This weekend’s theater and comedy offerings include two “Christmas Carols,” a children’s show at the Keegan Theatre, a step show at the Atlas, the Second City at Woolly Mammoth and “Hot Spot” at DC Arts Center. New Year’s Eve falls on a Monday — see below for a few ways to ring in 2019. For more end-of-year events, visit The Georgetowner’s online calendar.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Ford’s
Craig Wallace returns to play Ebenezer Scrooge in this music-infused production of Dickens’s Yuletide classic at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. Recommended for ages 5 and older, performances are: Thursday, Dec. 27, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 29, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $24 to $107. For details, visit fords.org or call 202-347-4833.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Olney
Paul Morella’s solo performance of “A Christmas Carol” at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road in Olney, Maryland, is now in its ninth year. Performances are: Thursday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 28, at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 29, at 3 and 7:45 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 30, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $84. For details, visit olneytheatre.org or call 301-924-3400.
‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’
Eric, the lone shoemaker of Grimmsville, makes shoes that are miserably uncomfortable, leaving a lot of barefoot villagers and Eric without a means to provide for his family. But then his daughter Shannon is offered a magical medallion that holds the charm of the elves. Performances at the Keegan Theatre. 1742 Church St. NW, are Friday, Dec. 28, Saturday, Dec. 29, and Sunday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. Tickets are $15. For details, visit keegantheatre.com or call 202-265-3767.
Holiday Step Show at the Atlas
Step Afrika!’s “Magical Musical Holiday Step Show” at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE, features furry characters, pre-show instrument-making workshops, photo ops and a dance party with DJ Frosty the Snowman. Shows are: Friday, Dec. 28, at 7:30 and 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 29, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $45. For details, visit atlasarts.org or call 202-399-7993.
The Second City’s ‘She the People’
At Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW, an all-female, all-star team of the Second City’s sketch comics roasts the patriarchy in this exploration of “having it all,” having each other’s backs and having that sick feeling your government’s trying to turn back the clock to the Middle Ages. Shows are: Thursday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 28, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 29, at 3 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 30, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $75. For details, visit woollymammoth.net or call 202-393-3939.
‘Glow’ Photo Safari
On Thursday, Dec. 27, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., Washington Photo Safari Director E. David Luria leads a tour of the 2018 “Glow” light-art installations in Georgetown, showing participants how to use all the features of their cameras to get the best nighttime shots. A sturdy tripod is suggested and any camera (including a smartphone camera) will do. Admission is $79. For details, visit georgetownglowdc.com.
‘Hot Spot’ at DC Arts Center
DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, hosts Laugh Index Theatre’s musical comedy show “Hot Spot” for one night only: Saturday, Dec. 29, at 8 and 10 p.m. The Laugh Index Players will sing songs and perform musical improv and sketch, with a jam at the end of each show. The 10 p.m. show will feature special guest Julian Stern. Tickets are $15 ($10 in advance). For details, visit dcartscenter.org or call 202-462-7833.
‘A Toast to Vienna in 3/4 Time’
On Sunday, Dec. 30, at 3:30 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art, 401 Constitution Ave. NW, Jeffrey Schindler will lead a free young people’s concert by the Suchertorte Chamber Ensemble about Vienna’s connection to the waltz. For details, visit nga.gov or call 202-737-4215.
New Year’s Eve at Blues Alley
On New Year’s Eve, Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, presents the Cyrus Chestnut Trio and the Integriti Reeves Band. A pianist who has worked with Wynton Marsalis and made the “Peanuts” album swing, Chestnut resists being typecast, though his gospel sound is apparent on several of his recordings. Tickets are $110 for the 6:30 p.m. show and $160 for the 10 p.m. show, including a three-course meal, non-alcoholic beverages (bottled water excluded), tax and gratuity. The 10 p.m. show also includes a glass of champagne, hats and noisemakers. For details, visit bluesalleylive.com or call 202-337-4141.
New Year’s Eve at the Anthem
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Trouble Funk will perform at an all-ages New Year’s Eve show at 8:30 p.m. at the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW. Raised in one of the Tremé’s most musical families, bandleader Troy Andrews, who plays not only trombone but trumpet, drums, organ and tuba, has worked with some of the biggest names in rock, pop, jazz, funk and hip hop. George Clinton is known as the Godfather (or sometimes King) of Funk. Tickets are $75. For details, visit ticketfly.com or call 202-888-0020.
New Year’s Eve at the Watergate
The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW, will host a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with an open bar, a buffet of hot and cold bites, a live DJ and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $195, including tax and gratuity. In addition, winter igloos may be reserved on the terrace from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and there will be 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. seatings in the Kingbird restaurant. For details, visit eventbrite.com or call 855-256-3966.
New Year’s Eve at the Willard
The Willard InterContinental hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will host a black-tie New Year’s Eve party with an open bar, free-flowing champagne, dessert buffets, live bands and DJs and a spectacular midnight balloon drop. Tickets are $329 for 8 p.m. admission, including a three-course dinner in the Willard’s Nest; $219 for 9 p.m. admission, including a buffet dinner; and $130 for post-dinner admission. For details, visit eventbrite.com.