An art-full December

Ah, December. When family and friends pile into town. When schools set the students free. When you go nuttier than a dozen polvorones trying to figure out how to to entertain everyone.

Here’s help.

December is fat with arts events. Too many, really, to see. We’ve culled through what’s happening and have a suggestion a day for you. Many of the performing arts events have multiple performances — if you can’t make something on the day we suggest, check Tucson.com/calendar for additional performances. And then there’s this: There’s so much more going on, so check the calendar, too, for a more comprehensive lineup.

December

1

CYT launches the month with its production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” Based on the much-loved 1983 movie, it’s about the exploits of 9-year-old Ralphie, who is wanting, wishing, hoping for a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas. It’s at 7 p.m. at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. $17. 751-7510, cyttucson.org

2

Reveille Men's Chorus never fails to impress with the voices and the shows. You can catch their annual "Holiday Spectacular" — it’s the 23rd one. — at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave.. $27. 304-1758, reveillemenschorus.org

3

The talented dancers and choreographers studying at the University of Arizona’s School of Dance will show us what they’ve learned in “In the Moment: Student Spotlight.” There’s a reason the school is considered one of the best in the country. The performance is at 1:30 p.m. at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1713 E. University Blvd. $25. 621-1162, dance.arizona.edu

4

How does a little interactive dinner theater sound? You’ll get that at “Murder in Paradise.” And it really is interactive: You’ll be assigned a character, you can question the suspect, and, of course, help solve the mystery. While you play, a three-course meal will be served. It’s at 6 p.m. at the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. $38.95. 529-1000., gaslightmusichall.com

5

Broadway in Tucson brings the musical “Cinderella” to town, featuring the glorious music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It’s at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. on the UA campus. Tickets are $19-$100. Purchase them in person at the Centennial Hall Box Office and you avoid the hefty Ticketmaster charge. 1-800-745-3000, broadwayintucson.com

6

The Sons of Orpheus will join voices with those of the children from the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind for the annual "Food Bank Benefit Holiday Concert." It’s at 7 p.m. at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. Admission is a nonperishable food item or a cash donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. 850-8095, sonsoforpheus.org

7

Harpeth Rising consists of three classically trained musicians. Their original music is a fusion of folk, newgrass, rock and classical. The Ronstadt Brothers open the concert. It’s 7 p.m. at Monterey Court, 505 W. Miracle Mile. $15 in advance, $18 the day of the show. 207-2429, harpethrising.com

8

A Desert Voices concert shimmers with fun and talent. The chorus’ “Rock the Holidays” performance is designed to put us all in the mood. It’s at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St. Tickets are $20. 791-9662, desertvoices.org

9

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Chorus bring Handel’s "Messiah" to Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive. Expect to join in for the Hallelujah Chorus. It’s at 4 p.m. $45-$55. 882-8585, tucsonsymphony.org

10

The Tucson Regional Ballet takes the "Nutcracker" and sets it in our backyard. “A Southwest Nutcracker” features music by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, with coyotes and rattlesnakes among the characters. It’s 2 p.m. at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. $30-$36. 886-1222, tucsonregionalballet.org

11

Take a little break from performing arts and check out Reid Park Zoo’s sparkling Zoo Lights. There will be snow, music and Santa, too. It’s 6 to 8 p.m. at the zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court. $10.

12

December just wouldn’t be right without a "Sonoran Bells Holiday Concert." The handbells will start ringing at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St. Admission is a $10 suggested donation. 405-3210, sonoranbells.org

13

Sonora Winds — an all-wind-instruments symphony — will play tribute to the elements with music that represents earth, wind, fire and water (think the "Ritual Fire Dance" by Manuel de Falla). And there will holiday tunes, as well. It’s at 7 p.m. at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. It’s free, but donations are always welcome. 731-1997, sonorawinds.homestead.com

14

Borderlands Theater opens its annual “Pastorela.” It’s the story of the shepherds' journey to Bethlehem, but it weaves in local and national events of the year, is written in rhyme, and has devils and angels. It’s at 7:30 p.m. at the Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. in the Tucson Convention Center. Tickets are $27. 882-8607, borderlandstheater.org

15

Ballet Rincon’s annual “Nutcracker” opens at the Vail Theatre of the Arts, 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way in Vail. The performance is at 7 p.m. $16. 574-2804, ballet-rincon.com

16

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Arts Express stages “A Christmas Carol,” a musical based on the Charles Dickens' book with that famous Scrooge. There’s a Dickens fest before and after the performances, too. It’s at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. $20. 319-0400, arts-express.org

17

Arizona Repertory Singers’ “Heaven Full of Stars” wraps up it’s weekend of concerts at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. The concert includes the premiere of Karen Siegal’s composition “Festival of Lights.” Members of the choir will be required to play tuned wine glasses while they sing. $20; $18 in advance. It’s at 3 p.m. 792-8141, arsingers.org

18

Some of the Gaslight Theatre and Gaslight Music Hall favorites come together for a “Christmas Jamboree.” Performers include Robert Shaw, Charlie Hall and The Manhattan Dolls. It’s at the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. $20.95. 529-1000, gaslightmusichall.com

19

Lots of music this month. If you need a breather, consider paying a visit to the “Icons in Transformation” exhibit at St. Philip’s Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. The show, which has traveled across Europe and the U.S., features more than 100 pieces of Ludmila Pawlowska’s art, inspired by traditional Russian icons. It’s open 1-5 p.m. and it’s free. 299-6421, stphilipstucson.org

20

Want to see what Christmas is like around the world? The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures has a Wee Winter Wonderland, which includes 15 miniatures decorated to depict the holidays in different eras and different places. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but on this day, at 10:30 a.m., it’s Tiny Tales for Tots — stories told by costumed characters. It’s at 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive. Admission is normally $9; but Thursdays are adult discount day and admission is the same as for children 4-17: $6. Ages 3 and under are free. 881-0606, theminitimemachine.org

21

How does an evening with the likes of Cher, Dolly Parton and Barbra Streisand sound? It’s what impersonators extraordinaire the Edwards Twins offer. They'll recreate some of the holiday variety shows that were so popular in the 1970s and '80s, at the Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. Showtime is 6 p.m. $35-$55. 529-1000, gaslightmusichall.com

22

There will be a whole slew of talent on the Fox Tucson Theatre stage this day. Crystal Stark, Brian Levario and Annmarie Rosano and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus get together for "In the Christmas Mood," a benefit for the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona. It’s happening at 7:30 p.m. at 17 W. Congress St. $24. 547-3040, foxtucson.com

23

Ballet Tucson’s “The Nutcracker” is 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. The professional dancers in the company join with children from Ballet Tucson’s dance school to bring the story to life. $30-$58. 1-800-745-3000, ballettucson.org

24

Unscrewed Theater has the younger set in mind with it’s “Elves Gone Bad” improv show. There will be Santa, those elves and a pirate — and expect the kids to participate. Geared toward children 4-8. It’s at 1 p.m. at 3244 E. Speedway. $5. 289-8076, unscrewedtheater.org

25

The Winterhaven Festival of Lights is packed with imaginative Christmas lights, music — there's even theater in the neighborhood. This annual event is a perfect walk after a big dinner. And it’s free, but donations to the Tucson Community Food Bank are happily accepted. 6-10 p.m. The Winterhaven neighborhood is bordered by North Country Club Road, East Fort Lowell Road, North Tucson Boulevard and East Prince Road. winterhavenfestival.org

26

The Gaslight Theatre takes us back to 1933 and New York City for “Christmas in the Big Apple.” And trouble is brewing there: Vonda DeCringe wants to take over Pennypacker’s Department Store, and she plans to disrupt the season to do it. Performances are at noon, 3 and 6 p.m. at 7010 E. Broadway. Tickets are $20.95. 886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com

27

It’s nearly impossible to resist “Man of La Mancha.” The songs are glorious, the story about Don Quixote is mesmerizing. Arizona Theatre Company is staging the musical; performances are 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets are $46-$73. 622-2823, arizonatheatre.org

28

Ready to lighten things up? Comedian Jay Leno can do just that. He’s performing at Casino del Sol at 8 p.m. at 5655 W. Valencia Road. It’s a 21 and older show. Tickets are $45-$85. 1-855-765-7829. casinodelsol.com

29

A little soul music is good for, well, the soul. And George Howard plays it very well. His Motown and Soul dance party is at 7 p.m. at The Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road. $12.50. 529-1000.

30

The Tucson Museum of Art has totally revamped its space. Now there is more gallery space — and more room to exhibit pieces from its permanent collection. The current show is "Dress Matters: Clothing as Metaphor," which features works with clothing as a central theme, and it's a knockout. There's also an exhibit looking at Tucsonans who have designed for and dressed us over the past half-century or so. TMA is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It's at 140 N. Main Ave. Admission is $12; free to children 12 and under. 624-2333, tucsonmuseumofart.org

31

Standing O Entertainment brings back its production of the classic “A Christmas Carol.” The three ghosts, Mr. Scrooge and the rest of the Charles Dickens’ gang perform at 7 p.m. at the A Christmas Carol Theatre in the Foothills Mall, 7401 N. la Cholla Blvd. Tickets are $22.50. 325-3715.