The Fox Tucson Theatre is all-in for the Christmas season this week with a trio of holiday shows.
But don’t expect straight-up singing of Christmas carols and Santa Claus. These are shows that add some zip and unique twists to the familiar.
- The downtown hall at 17 W. Congress St. kicks off the ho-ho fun Thursday, Dec. 14, with Lightwire Theater’s “A Very Electric Christmas” show.
It’s the second year in a row that the Fox has hosted the event, which follows Santa’s helpers putting the final touches on presents just as a young bird named Max lands in their midst after being blown off course as he and his family head south for the winter.
Max gets the full Christmas experience at the North Pole with caroling worms, dancing poinsettias, Nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice and an evil Rat King bringing the spirit of the season to electric life.
The soundtrack includes such holiday favorites as “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Rockin’ Robin” “Home Alone,” “Grinch,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’m Coming Home” and “All I Want For Christmas is You.” The show starts at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $15 to $35 at foxtucsontheatre.ticketforce.com
- On Friday, Dec. 15, the Fox teams up with Viva! Performing Arts to bring Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jóse Hernandez’s “Merry-Achi Christmas,” a concert of classic Christmas carols expressed through the amazing mariachi musicianship.
Violins create lush string passages, gorgeous horns pipe in with restrained energy and traditional mariachi accents are expressed through the soulful bass notes of the guitarrón and the higher pitch of the vihuela. And it doesn’t get much better than when it comes from in the expertise of Hernandez and his Grammy-nominated ensemble.
Friday’s show starts at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $26 to $60.
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy swings into the Fox Thursday, Dec. 21, to insert a little jumpin’ and jivin’ into the holiday season. Expect frontman Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren and the revivalist swing band to bring some shocking energy to holiday classics including “Jingle Bells,” “Blue Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m., tickets are $29 to $67.
