2 shows in Seattle that should not be missed this holiday season

If you are a fan of live shows, we have entered the best part of the year. The holiday season is when venues around the city put on their best shows, aimed at getting as many seats filled as possible.

This weekend, I saw two shows: "The Wiz" at the 5th Avenue Theatre; and "The Nutcracker" (presented by the Pacific Northwest Ballet) at McCaw Hall.

Both were amazing.

The Wiz at 5th Avenue Theatre

"The Wiz" caught me by surprise. I covered the show for KUOW's Soundside. I interviewed director and choreographer Kelli Foster Warder and spent some time with Kataka Corn who plays Dorothy. I also visited DAT-5, a space tucked underneath the theatre where rehearsals happen, and I got sneak-peak of the cast performing the song "Brand New Day." But none of that prepared me for the show I saw on Saturday night.

I could get technical and tell you how awesome the costume designs were and explain how two rotating platforms in the stage were used immaculately to bring motion to the world of Oz. But instead, I’ll give it to you straight — I had so much fun!

Somehow, each song was perfect and the audience was alive as we experienced the brilliance of so many characters. The tap-dancing Tinman almost stole the show, and the hilarious Cowardly Lion had his moments, but Corn, as I learned in my interviews, has a voice that is truly special. With their power, confidence, and stage presence, I watched the birth of a star on Saturday night.

So many of us are familiar with "The Wiz." You may have seen the Broadway version, or the movie, or any of the many renditions that have been done in regional theatres around the country. But this performance was special. 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 at Pacific Northwest Ballet

"The Nutcracker" is holiday tradition for many families. This year, I took my family. I now understand why this production has been a staple for so long.

With the stunning visuals, precise choreography, beautiful costumes, and the bold stage design, this two-hour play was able to keep the attention of both my daughters (ages 9 and 5) from beginning to end.

I’ve taken my 9-year-old to the ballet a few times now, but this was the first show we saw that was specifically aimed at kids. "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.