Celebrate the Holidays at the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, and Merriam Theater in Philadelphia

Start the holidays early with family and friends, and enjoy a variety of seasonal shows at the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music and Merriam Theater.

A snowfall is in store when Irving Berlin’s White Christmas arrives in Philadelphia November 24 – December 6; Austria’s beloved Vienna Boys Choir returns with a performance of holiday classics and other seasonal delights on December 4; the off-Broadway hit World of Jewtopia makes its Philadelphia debut December 24 – 27; and Broadway’s smash hit WICKED kicks off the New Year with a limited three week engagement, beginning January 6.

Calling all Black Friday early-bird shoppers—gift certificates are now available for Kimmel Center, Academy of Music and Merriam Theater shows with plenty of options to choose from beyond the month of December. Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca perform a seductive flamenco pura, January 22 – 23; RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles recreates the magical popularity of Beatles classics on stage, February 2 – 6; followed by The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber beginning February 9.

All gift certificates are redeemable for tickets to any Kimmel Center Presents performance or Broadway Series show. Gift certificates may be purchased in any dollar amount by calling Ticket Philadelphia at 215-893-1999 or online at www.kimmelcenter.org. (Additional fees may apply.)

Applause Gift Shop also announces special holiday hours beginning November 27, 2009 through December 27, 2009. Please note: On non-performance evenings, Applause hours of operation are from 10am to 5pm; on performance evenings, Applause hours of operation are 10am to 10:30pm. Applause is located in the Commonwealth Plaza, adjacent to Verizon Hall, and offers a wonderful assortment of holiday gift-giving options for children, family and friends.

Top holiday entertainment picks:

Photo: © Joan Marcus 2008

Philadelphia is guaranteed a White Christmas this holiday season when Irving Berlin’s White Christmas comes to the Academy of Music from November 24 – December 6, 2009.Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates along the way. With plenty of dancing, laughter, romance and some of greatest songs ever written, including the beloved title song, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas promises to be the Broadway event of the season.

Internationally acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir returns to the Kimmel Center once again on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7pm in Verizon Hall, pleasing audiences with their angelic renditions of seasonal classics, oratorios, traditional Viennese waltzes and folk songs from around the world. Don’t miss this vocal ensemble that has been entertaining audiences for more than 500 years! Looking for something totally tubaular to do with the family this holiday season? Toot your own horn at the eighth annual TUBACHRISTMAS celebration on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 12pm in Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, as part of the Free at the Kimmel Series. The holidays come to life as 100 regional tuba and euphonium players join together to perform holiday classics free to the public and for all ages.

World of Jewtopia

The outrageous multimedia event and longest-running off-Broadway comedy World of Jewtopia makes its Philadelphia debut in Perelman Theater from December 24 – 27, 2009. Hailed as a “comedic extravaganza” by critics, Jewtopia combines stand-up comedy, audience participation and scenes from creators Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson’s best-selling book Jewtopia to deliver an undeniably hysterical performance. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this dynamic duo before they head back to Broadway in 2010!

Photo: © Joan Marcus

Being bad never looked so green! Back by popular demand, the winner of 26 awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, WICKED returns to Philadelphia from January 6 – 24, 2010 at the Academy of Music. Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One—born with emerald green skin—is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. In a limited three-week engagement, see how these two girls become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Heat up the cold winter months with Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca when they come to Philadelphia on January 22 – 23, 2010 at the Merriam Theater. Experience the sultry world of Spanish dancing with Spain’s most successful flamenco touring company in an emotionally driven evening of dance.

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles

They sound like the Beatles. They look like the Beatles…Relive Beatlemania with the best of ‘em when RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles returns to Philadelphia from February 2 – 6, 2010 at the Academy of Music. The popular cover band and multi-media musical experience follows the Beatles through an unforgettable era of rock-and-roll. Sing along with family and friends to famous hits such as “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” “Come Together” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

What’s Broadway without Andrew Lloyd Webber? The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is sweeping through Philadelphia from February 9 – 14, 2010 at theAcademy of Music. Featuring a cast of six Broadway stars backed by an onstage orchestra, the Grammy®, Tony® and Academy®-Award winning composer’s best-loved songs from hit plays Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Whistle Down the Wind, Starlight Express, Aspects of Life, The Beautiful Game, The Woman in White and Evita come to life on stage!

Photo: Phil Martin 2009

Leapin’ lizards! ANNIE is coming to Philadelphia, February 26 – 28, 2010, at the Merriam Theater! The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.” and the ever-optimistic “Tomorrow,” ANNIE is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family.

Tickets for all Kimmel Center Presents performances are available for purchase by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. For group sales, please call 215-790-5883.

Tickets for all Broadway Series performances can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway or at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Streets (open daily 10am to 6pm). Groups of 15 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.

KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS AND BROADWAY SERIES PRESENTATIONS

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Tuesday, November 24 – Sunday, December 6, 2009

Times vary according to performance

Academy of Music

Price: $30-100

Vienna Boys Choir

Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7pm

Verizon Hall

Price: $32-70

TUBACHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 12pm

Commonwealth Plaza

Price: FREE

World of Jewtopia

Thursday, December 24 – Sunday, December 27, 2009

Times vary according to performance

Perelman Theater

Price: $44.50-52.50

WICKED

Wednesday, January 6 – Sunday, January 24, 2010

Times vary according to performance

Academy of Music

Price: $30-150

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca

Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8pm

Saturday, January 23, 2009 at 2pm and 8pm

Merriam Theater

Price: $33-43

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles

Tuesday, February 2 – Saturday, February 6, 2010

Times vary according to performance

Academy of Music

Price: $35-85

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tuesday, February 9 – Sunday, February 14, 2010

Times vary according to performance

Merriam Theater

Price: $20-75

ANNIE

Friday, February 26 – Sunday, February 28, 2010

Times vary according to performance

Merriam Theater

Price: $20-70

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.kimmelcenter.org.