Holiday Performances Coming to DU’s Newman Center

Most of the University of Denver campus quiets down during winter break, but at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, the holiday season means a full slate of dance, music and theater performances. Read on to see what’s on tap for November and December at the venue.

One of the season’s most powerful performances is bound to be a production of “A Christmas Carol” performed, designed and produced by 40 incarcerated women from the Colorado Department of Corrections. The show—which has performances on Dec. 12 and 13—is part of DU’s Prison Arts Initiative, which brings the healing power of the arts to incarcerated men and women across the state.

The Newman Center Presents concert series, which brings big-name touring acts to the venue throughout the academic year, has two Christmas concerts on its schedule this year: Pianist David Benoit presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 12; and the Five Browns, a quintet of siblings who perform Christmas classics and other favorites on five grand pianos, appear on Dec. 19.

There’s no escaping “The Nutcracker” during the Christmas season, and local dance companies have rented the Newman Center for their Claras, Rat Kings and Sugar Plum Fairies. Dance groups bringing their “Nutcrackers” to the center include Denver Ballet Theatre (Dec. 6–7); International Youth Ballet (Dec. 6–7); and Moth Poetic Circus, whose acrobatic “Nutcracker Circus” takes the stage Dec. 20–22. Also on the dance slate is “Snowed in at the Theatre” (Dec. 15), a winter recital by Cherry Creek Dance.

Music will fill the air at the Newman Center all season long, as well—among the concerts are Young Voices of Colorado’s “A Gift of Love” (Dec. 8); a winter showcase from the youth and adult ensembles at Voices Rock (Dec. 9); men’s a cappella chorus Sound of the Rockies, with its “The Secret of Christmas” concert (Dec. 13–14); and the Denver Brass’ “Twas the Brass Before Christmas” (Dec. 21–22).

All of the holiday fun isn’t happening at the Newman Center — across campus, the annual Carillon Holiday Recital, featuring DU’s Carol Jickling Lens and four special guests on the giant bells, is at 3 p.m. Dec. 8.

Finally, in what’s become a season-ending tradition at the Newman Center, the Whiffenpoofs — Yale University’s venerable men’s a cappella group — performs in Gates Concert Hall at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 4.

“The holiday lineup at Newman Center this season is spectacular,” says Kendra Whitlock Ingram, executive director of the performing arts complex. “From jazz favorites to ‘Nutcracker’ productions, we’ve got something for everyone in the community—including an amazing performance with five pianists playing together. We’re especially proud to host the first on-campus performance of the DU Prison Arts Initiative’s ‘A Christmas Carol,’ which is a great match with DU’s emphasis on public good and social justice.”

For more information about the performances and to purchase tickets, please visit newmantix.com for details.