While this first weekend of December around Fort Worth features a good number of holiday events, they aren't the dominant force. Leading the way will be a national tour of Broadway musical, followed by a holiday cabaret show, another Nutcracker, two new local theater productions, three concerts, a college basketball double-header, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, December 1
Broadway at the Bass: My Fair Lady
Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed? The musical boasts such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live.” The production runs through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Casa Mañana presents Christmas with Nat and Natalie
Casa Mañana will present an “unforgettable” evening with holiday favorites from Nat King and Natalie Cole. The father-daughter duo separately recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts. The show, featuring stars Curtis Wiley and Jenny Mollet, will be in the newly renovated Reid Cabaret Theatre and feature favorites like “Unforgettable,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Mona Lisa” and, of course, “The Christmas Song.” The production runs through December 18.
Friday, December 2
Magnolia at the Modern: Decision to Leave
In this latest thriller from South Korean master filmmaker Park Chan-wook, a man plummets to his death from a mountain peak. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man's wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire. The film, which is in Korean with English subtitles, will have five screenings through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Ballet Frontier presents The Nutcracker
Ballet Frontier's annual production of The Nutcracker has a cast comprised of professional dancers, talented young students, dazzling costumes, and world-class choreography. There will be four performances through Sunday at Will Rogers Auditorium.
Theatre Arlington presents Hooray for Holidays
Theatre Arlington is bringing back Hooray for Holidays, a hilarious Christmas musical that features special guests at each performance. The production centers on The Callahan Kids TV Christmas Reunion special, and everyone is excited about the former child stars’ return to television until they realize that as grown-ups, they are no longer cute and their talent is lacking. The only thing that can save the show is a Christmas miracle. The production runs through December 18.
Hyena's presents Greg Fitzsimmons
Mixing an incisive wit with scathing sarcasm, Greg Fitzsimmons has achieved success as a stand-up, writer, and host on both radio and TV. He is host of The Greg Fitzsimmons Show on SiriusXM’s “Howard 101” and twice a week puts out the FitzDog Radio podcast. A regular on @Midnight, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and The Tonight Show, Fitzsimmons has made more than 50 visits to The Howard Stern Show. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Hyena's in downtown Fort Worth.
Holidays with the One O'Clock Lab Band
At the annual "Holidays with the One O'Clock Lab Band" concert, the University of North Texas group will celebrate the yuletide season as they take on favorite holiday anthems. The performance takes place at McDavid Studio.
Stolen Shakespeare Guild presents The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley takes audiences to the downstairs servants’ quarters. Mrs. Reynolds, a no-nonsense housekeeper; Cassie, an eager new maid; and Brian, a lovesick footman, are bustling with preparations for holiday guests. But their work is interrupted by the midnight arrival of the definitely not invited Mr. Wickham - Lydia’s rogue of a husband and Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy. The Wickhams is a charming holiday tale that explores the confines of class and the generosity of forgiveness. The production runs through December 18 at Arts Fort Worth.
'90s Rewind with Tone Loc, Tag Team, and more
Anyone who grew up on 1990s hip hop will be in heaven with '90s Rewind at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall. The concert will feature performances by one- or two-hit wonders like Tone Loc (best known for "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina"), Tag Team ("Whoomp! There It Is!"), C+C Music Factory ("Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"), and Digital Underground ("The Humpty Dance").
Saturday, December 3
U-Sports Group presents The Battleground 2k22
The college basketball season is just getting going, and The Battleground 2k22, a double-header from U-Sports Group, will feature two big matchups, including one with the No. 1 team in the nation. The Texas A&M Aggies of the SEC will take on the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference, followed by the Houston Cougars of the American Athletic Conference - who just rose to No. 1 for the first time since 1983 - versus the Saint Mary’s Gaels of the West Coast Conference.
Cory Morrow in concert
Country singer Cory Morrow has been a steady presence on the Red Dirt scene for almost 20 years. He had his breakout with a covers album alongside Pat Green, Songs We Wish We'd Written, and has continued that success with eight more studio albums, including 2018's Whiskey and Pride. He'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, alongside opening act Scotty Alexander.
Mark Chesnutt in concert
Mark Chesnutt was among the wave of male country vocalists who rose to fame in the early 1990s, scoring eight No. 1 hits in as many years, including "Brother Jukebox," "I'll Think of Something," and "It's a Little Too Late." He's no longer at the top of the charts, but he's still prolific, releasing four albums since 2016, most recently 2018's Gone But Not Forgotten... A Tribute Album by Mark Chesnutt. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
My Fair Lady will play at Bass Performance Hall through December 4.
