What are you watching for the holidays?: Today So Far

The holiday season means there is plenty to watch, both on screen and on Seattle-area stages.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for December 6, 2022.

'Tis the season to be watching.

Now that I've read that line back to myself, I should clarify that I don't mean it in a weird, creepy way. Rather, it's the holidays and that means there's a lot of plays and movies to watch. KUOW's Mike Davis recently reviewed two plays in Seattle running through December which he says stand out — "The Wiz" and "The Nutcracker."

Mike says "The Wiz" at 5th Avenue Theatre is special this year.

"From the costumes to the stage design, the acting, the choreography – top to bottom this play was excellent. If you are able to see a production this holiday, 'The Wiz' is definitely my recommendation."

"The Nutcracker" is currently at the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

"'The Nutcracker' is a Christmas production, complete with wrapped-gifts and Christmas tree that, at one point, literally grows until it appears to be 100 feet tall! The acting and dancing blends together to present a story that is easy to follow, and my daughters loved seeing kids their own age on stage."

If you can't make it to a stage, then maybe you can make it to your TV.

Last year, I offered seven holiday films to watch. They included: "About A Boy," "Tokyo Godfathers," "Single All The Way," "Love Actually," "Die Hard," "The Office" season 7 episode Classy Christmas, and "The Family Stone."

I still love watching those. This year, I'd like to throw a few more options at you.

• "Spirited": A new holiday offering featuring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. I'm not a fan of musicals, however, this film has themes quite apt for our times and helps us see the modern Scrooges in our midst.
• "Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special": A super short watch. Even if Marvel or sci-fi isn't your thing, this special is just plain fun. Its song "I Don't Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here)" has quickly become a favorite of mine (and I also don't much like Christmas music either).
• "Gremlins": Yep. It takes place at Christmas.
• "A Christmas Story Christmas": A decent sequel to the 1983 classic that maintains the spirit of the first film, while offering a refreshing modern update.

That brings us to you. What will you be watching for the holidays this year? Let me know at dyer@kuow.org.

AS SEEN ON KUOW

Speaker Richard Marshall Swil’Kanim shares his lived experience during an event this month, celebrating the launch of Washington's Native and Strong Lifeline. (Courtesy of the Washington State Department of Health)

DID YOU KNOW?

If you've never seen "The Nutcracker" on stage with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, but you've seen it on film, then chances are you have also seen it done by the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

"Nutcracker: The Motion Picture" is a filmed production of the PNB's performance released in 1986. It was filmed over 10 days at Meany Hall at the University of Washington.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

Another La Niña winter arrives in Seattle and the Puget Sound region

After starting fall off on an unseasonably dry and warm note, the Seattle area is ushering in the coldest start to December in nearly four decades. If the recent snow was any indication, that third consecutive La Niña forecasters have been promising is here. State climatologist Nick Bond spoke with KUOW's Angela King about what's in store for the region.

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