Theater Critic Picks

These are the 12 can't-miss shows in Dallas-Fort Worth theater for December

It's perfect: 12 shows for the holiday month of December, though not all (thankfully, some might say) have a festive feel to them. There are new works and old favorites, regional premieres and returning stars, and even a hell-sprite to balance out the elves.

Here are the 12 shows to see, in order by start date:

A Very Judy Christmas
Uptown Players, December 1-16
This world premiere written and directed by B.J. Cleveland pays tribute to the 1960s TV holiday specials, with Janelle Lutz returning as Judy Garland. Share the holiday with Judy and some celebrity friends, including Ethel Merman and Liza Minnelli, along with some of Garland's signature songs and holiday classics performed by a number of surprise special guests.

Fetch Clay, Make Man
Dallas Theater Center, December 5-January 13
Loosely inspired by the real-life friendship of Muhammad Ali and Stepin Fetchit, this new script from DTC playwright-in-residence Will Power brings these two iconic figures together to shape their legacies against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Santaland Diaries
Casa Mañana, December 6-22
David Sedaris' sardonic look back at his time as a Macy's Christmas elf brings some naughty to the holiday season. Zak Reynolds stars as Crumpet, the grumpiest elf in New York City, as he navigates the absurd and hilarious trials and tribulations of a middle-aged elf dealing with cynical Santas, greedy children, and their harried parents.

Black Nativity
Bishop Arts Theatre Center, December 6-23
This retelling of the nativity story by Langston Hughes is returning for its 15th anniversary production. Spoken word, song, music, dance, and theater combine to create a one-of-a-kind Christmas pageant.

Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
Stage West, December 6-23
Tom Mula's behind-the-scenes look at Charles Dickens' much-loved story returns to Stage West starring Emily Scott Banks. This piece takes audiences along for Marley's amazing and hilarious journey to the Mouth of Hell — and beyond. With the questionable aid of a hell-sprite called The Bogle, Marley concocts a desperate plan to save Scrooge (and himself).

Solstice: A New Holiday
Theatre Three, December 6-30
Stuart and Paulette are back in Dallas for the holidays, decking the Theatre Three halls with more than just boughs of holly. This reworked piece reunites playwright Jonathan Norton with composer Cherish Robinson and adds contributions from Janielle Kastner.

A Christmas Story, The Musical
AT&T Performing Arts Center, December 12-16
Set in 1940s Indiana, a young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish.

Chicago
AT&T Performing Arts Center, December 18-23
There's never been a better time to experience this razzle-dazzle smash, the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Come along, babe, for a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen.

The Phantom of the Opera
Dallas Summer Musicals, December 19-January 6
Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic is part of a brand-new North American tour, with aa huge cast and orchestra of 52 people.

A Bronx Tale
AT&T Performing Arts Center, December 27-January 6
Broadway's hit crowd-pleaser based on the one-man-show by Chazz Palminteri takes you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s, where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he'd love to be.

Everybody
Stage West, December 27-January 27
In this modern, comedic, and heartfelt riff on the iconic medieval morality play, fate decides the roles by lottery each night, so — as is true in life — Everybody could be anybody. And in the end, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins asks, when it's your time to go what will you leave behind and what will you take with you?

Clowning Around With Murder!
Pegasus Theatre, December 29-January 20
The latest Living Black & White takes place in 1935 at the Fripson Clown College, where someone has murdered the founder and head professor. Harry Hunsacker, world famous detective and aspiring actor, along with his paid by the hour assistant, Nigel Grouse, meet a variety of clowns, clues, and a copper in disguise on the trail of a murderer.

Stuart and Paulette are back for Solstice: A New Holiday Adventure at Theatre Three.

Theatre Three presents Solstice: A New Holiday Adventure

Photo courtesy of Theatre Three

Stuart and Paulette are back for Solstice: A New Holiday Adventure at Theatre Three.

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A Familiar Face

Dallas Theater Center names Jaime Castañeda as new artistic director

Photo courtesy of Dallas Theater Center

Jaime Castañeda is the Tony-winning theater's new artistic director.

The Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center has found its next artistic director: Jaime Castañeda, who has a long history with both DTC and North Texas, will become the regional theater's sixth artistic director beginning July 2026. The 2026-27 season will be the first chosen by him.

Jonathan Norton, DTC’s resident playwright, is currently serving as interim artistic director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season, which culminates in the world premiere of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem in May.

“DTC is committed to artistic excellence and community engagement, and we believe Jaime’s experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership, coupled with his dedication to innovation, will guide DTC into an exciting new chapter in the life of the theater," says board chair Lynn Pride Richardson in a release.

In 2012, Castañeda directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz. But he began his career more than 20 years ago in Dallas-Fort Worth by founding Firestarter Productions while still attending Texas Christian University. In addition to directing at DTC, other local theater credits include Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. Castañeda is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and holds a BFA from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Directing from University of Texas at Austin.

Most recently, Castañeda directed at such leading theaters across the country as American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he previously served as associate artistic director from 2014-2018. He was also artistic associate at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-2014.

"Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,” says DTC executive director Kevin Moriarty. “With his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC’s new Enloe/Rose artistic director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.”

As artistic director, Castañeda will lead the theater’s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, and partner with Moriarty, the staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission, vision, and values.

Castañeda joins a distinguished line of artistic leadership at Dallas Theater Center, including founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger, and Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007-2022.

“We are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,” says DTC board member Chris Luna. “His energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.”

Castañeda was selected for the role following a national search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by Luna and Richardson, and included Moriarty, Norton, Jennifer Altabef, Diane Brierley, Lauren Embrey, Sam Holland (Dean, SMU Meadows School of the Arts), Sharron Hunt, Randy Kender, Julie Kosnik, Deborah McMurray, Sam Megally, Liz Mikel (DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member), Andy Smith, Lily Weiss (executive director, Dallas Arts District) and Donna Wilhelm.

“Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,” Castañeda says. “I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I’m eager to join Kevin, the board, and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.”

Dallas Theater Center's current production of A Christmas Carol runs through December 27 at the Wyly Theatre.

dallas theater center jaime castañeda kevin moriarty theater