Dec. 3, 2021 through Jan. 2, 2022
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Showtimes are
Fri. at 7:30 pm,
Sat. at 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm, and Sun. at 2:00 pm
No shows on Dec. 24, 25, or Dec. 31.
Additional performances on Wed, Dec. 22 and Thurs, Dec. 23 at 7:30 pm
(Single tickets: $25 for adults, $10 for kids 16 years and under)
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Fri., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. Opening Night
Sat., Dec. 4, 3:00 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 5, 2:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT
Sat., Dec. 11, 3:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 12, 2:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 18, 3:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 19, 2:00 p.m. SOLD OUT
Wed., Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT
Thurs., Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT
Sun., Dec. 26, 2:00 p.m. SOLD OUT
Sun., Dec. 26, 6:00 p.m. - Just Added!!!
Sat., Jan. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 2, 2:00 p.m.
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THEATRE NOVA PRESENTS
An Almost British Christmas
by Carla Milarch and R. MacKenzie Lewis

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This year, we're updating the Panto that started it all with a romp through the frozen tundra of the North Pole, set on one famous foggy Christmas Eve. Kids ages 2 to 102 will delight in this rollicking musical theatre entertainment, complete with colorful holiday characters, dastardly villains, original tunes and parodies of popular songs, slapstick comedy, and audience participation (and candy!). This beloved Theatre NOVA tradition is fun for the entire family.
Directed by Carla Milarch, with music direction by R. MacKenzie Lewis, An Almost British Christmas features Bryana Hall, Dan Morrison, and Monica Spencer.
The production and design team includes Monica Spencer (scenic design), Sam Schikora (lighting design), Genevieve Compton (costume design), Becky Fox (properties design), and Briana O’Neal (stage manager/props).
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For the health, safety, and well-being of our patrons, staff, and artists, Theatre NOVA's current COVID-19 policy requires patrons to present proof of vaccination and wear a mask while in the building. Children under 12 must be vaccinated or parents must present proof of the child's negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of the performance start time. We are currently limiting our seating capacity to 60% to allow social distancing. This policy is subject to change at any time, following fluctuating local, state, and federal guidelines. Please check our current COVID-19 policy before your scheduled performance date.
Pulp: Arts Around Ann Arbor
THEATRE NOVA CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH SONG, DANCE, AND SILLINESS IN "AN ALMOST BRITISH CHRISTMAS"
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“‘Tis the season to make jolly. ‘Tis also the season to be silly. British music halls celebrate Christmastime with pantos (short for pantomime, but not really about mimes). A panto is a play based on a fairy tale that provides a framework for slapstick, satire, song parodies, dancing, clowning, a touch of bawdiness and lots of good cheer to see out the year. Several years ago, Carla Milarch, founding director of Theatre Nova, and R. MacKenzie Lewis introduced the panto to Ann Arbor with An Almost British Christmas. Every Christmas season since, Nova has presented a new panto. This year Nova is reviving the original show, more or less, with some topical humor to fit this particular year.
But it’s really the silliness that counts.
This is a holiday break from an all too serious world of problems and that’s what makes it special.
EncoreMichigan
‘An Almost British Christmas’ Panto is a charmer for the whole family
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"“Panto” is short for “pantomime,” but do not confuse this with the work of mimes. The actors, Dan Morrison, Bryana Hall and Monica Spencer, are all very much heard, even without face mics in Theatre NOVA’s intimate performance space. To understand the panto, lets consult an actual definition, stiff as it might be: “a traditional fairy tale complete with songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and lots of audience participation.”
Add to the formula that one of the actors should be a male who performs in drag, which Dan Morrison does with grace, aplomb and a spiked heels.
Our three actors work beautifully together. And to see and feel the stories being acted out just a few feet on front of you is a treat greater than just staring at a TV or computer screen with a candy cane hanging out of your mouth.
Live theatre is inching back into our lives…thank goodness. And An Almost British Christmas is a perfect way to get back into the season and give kids a different kind of experience than what they will get on big screens and small."
