Theater Critic Picks

These are the 10 can't-miss shows in Dallas theater for December

We get it: December is busy. There are parties upon parties, not to mention holiday travel and traditional outings. But there's still room for theater, especially if you need a holiday palate cleanser. Dallas is serving up a variety of shows this month, and not all of them are coated in syrupy seasonal sentiment.

Here are the 10 shows to see, in order by start date:

Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold
WaterTower Theatre, December 2-23
WaterTower newcomer Nonie Newton Riley is on the hunt for the Magi's gold in this holiday mystery, which also mysteriously hints at including the vocal talents of Sarah Elizabeth Price. It's from one of the playwrights of Late Night Catechism, the popular solo show that's part catechism class, part stand-up routine, so expect lots of laughs.

Holy Bone
Dead White Zombies, December 1-January 1 (perhaps)
To try to explain this experimental troupe's latest project is to still not fully understand it. Founder Thomas Riccio promises this to be DWZ's "most ambitious and adventurous performance project" in the company's five-year history, and it's set to play out over the next several months. Where? Well, everywhere. Doing what? Well, everything. The immersive project is co-created with the City of Dallas, and scenes could take place just about anywhere, at any time. The promise is that the project "will grow and be shaped by community responses, interactions, and suggestions. Where it goes, what it will say, and what effect it will have will be shaped by the community."

Broadway Christmas Wonderland
Dallas Summer Musicals, December 6-18
A glittering, high-kicking extravaganza, this holiday revue is a mish-mash of classic tunes ("White Christmas," "Silent Night," "Jingle Bells") and production numbers from a chorus of 24 lithe and leggy dancers. Expect sparkle, expect snow, even expect ice skating.

Gloria
Dallas Theater Center, December 7-January 22
This new play from 2016 MacArthur Fellow Branden Jacobs-Jenkins does what so many other movies, plays, and books love to focus on — the "cutthroat world of magazine publishing." But we're still holding out hope that there's more to this work than a cliché. A small cast of six, lead by Leah Spillman, plays multiple roles in the intimate studio space at the Wyly Theatre, under Christie Vela's direction.

Black Nativity
Bishop Arts Theatre Center, December 8-18
Langston Hughes' poetic and soulful take on the birth of Christ returns, as told through gospel, spirituals, and dance. Written in 1961, the play was one of the first penned by an African American to be performed Off-Broadway and has become a tradition at theaters around the country ever since.

It's a Wonderful Life, a Live Radio Play
Firehouse Theatre, December 9-18
It wouldn't be Christmas without that bell ringing, but there are plenty more aural joys to be found in this innovative take on George Bailey's holiday crisis. A troupe of actors gathers in a 1940s radio studio to bring the well-known story to life, using vocal effects and an original score by Scott A. Eckert. There are a couple of musical cameos too, making it really feel as though you've traveled back in time.

In a Dark Dark House
Proper Hijinx Productions, December 9-18
To round out its first full season, this new company is presenting the regional premiere of Neil LaBute's dark tale of a dysfunctional family. LaBute is hardly warm and fuzzy holiday fare, which is what makes this show so refreshing. Amphibian Stage Productions is lending its stage, and Jeff Burleson, Aaron White, and Madeleine Morris star.

Nearly Naked Nutcracker
Broads and Panties Burlesque, December 16-17
To see a different kind of stocking this season, head to Viva's in the Design District for this sixth annual burlesque take on the holiday ballet. The show — which mixes dance with traditional vaudeville humor — is for mature audiences only, of course, but it's something you should put on your calendar if you want to hang out on the naughty list for a while.

The Book of Mormon
AT&T Performing Arts Center, December 20-31
When the doorbell rings this time, it's not carolers. Instead it's a return engagement of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's award-winning and utterly inappropriate musical about Mormon missionaries. If you somehow missed the blockbuster the other two times it's been here, now's your chance. There are even a limited number of $25 tickets up for grabs with the lottery, which is held an hour-and-a-half before each performance.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Theatre Three, December 29-February 12
A new cast has been tapped for the musical romp through male-female relationships, now in its 17th year. Janelle Lutz, Calvin Scott Roberts, Trey West, and Allison Bret will embody young lovers, mature marrieds, and everyone in between as this favorite plays the basement space at Theatre Three.

Branden A. Bailey and Emmie Kivell in It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play at Firehouse Theatre.

Photo by James Jamison

Branden A. Bailey and Emmie Kivell in It's a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play at Firehouse Theatre.

theater

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