As the holiday season reaches its crescendo, it’s warming to know that some Broadway stars are bringing cheer countrywide. Check out who’s swinging by your hometown this month.
Darlene Love, Love for the Holidays
After returning to the Broadway stage at the Tony Awards earlier this year for a Hairspray reunion, the Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer travels up and down the East Coast with this holiday concert. The star performs wintery classics like “Marshmallow World,” and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” along with her less seasonal hits like “He’s a Rebel” and “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry.” Upcoming stops include Glenside, Pennsylvania (December 17); and New York City (December 18).
Darren Criss, A Very Darren Crissmas
After releasing an album of the same name in October, the Emmy winner and Broadway alum takes his cheer-spreading act far and wide. A Very Darren Crissmas features an eclectic collection of tunes like “(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With the Bag,” “Somewhere in My Memory,” and the original song “Drunk on Christmas,” a funky combination of country and cocktail jazz. Upcoming stops include NYC (December 20, which features a live stream option), and San Francisco, California (December 31). In 2022, the star will return to the Main Stem in a revival of David Mamet’s American Buffalo.
Jennifer Nettles, Broadway Under the Mistletoe
Shortly after wrapping her star turn as Jenna in Waitress on Broadway and releasing her new album Always Like New, the Grammy-winning performer heads out on tour. The show features a combination of holiday favorites and Broadway tunes, including songs arranged by Tony-winning orchestrator Alex Lacamoire from her new LP. “I can’t think of a better way to round out my year than by celebrating the classic holiday and theatre favorites,” said Nettles. “I have dearly missed my fans and my band and look forward to coming back to the concert stage and celebrating together!” Remaining stops on the tour are in Boston, Massachusetts (December 14); New York, New York (December 15); and Tysons, Virginia (December 16).
Morgan James, A Very Magnetic Christmas
Seen on Broadway in Motown the Musical and Godspell, the recording artist tours the U.S. with her new album A Very Magnetic Christmas, featuring contemporary twists on songs like “O Holy Night,” “White Christmas,” “Back Door Santa,” and “Merry Christmas Baby.” The star also co-wrote three original songs for the LP. “By channeling my personal experiences and holiday traditions, we’ve landed on what Christmas sounds like to me,” said James of making the album. Stops include Minneapolis, Minnesota (December 15); Cincinnati, Ohio (December 17); and Nashville, Tennessee (December 21).
WATCH: Broadway's Morgan James in 1st Installment of Playbill's Holiday Concert Series
