A New Tradition
This year, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Delaware Art Museum join to create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration First, hear the symphony’s traditional program of Viennese music—with, this year, Hollywood favorites—at The Grand Opera House. Afterward, head to the museum for champagne, food, more music and more fun. Do one, the other, or both. For the symphony: 351-8512, delawaresymphony.org For the museum: 351-8512, delart.org
Somewhere Near Times Square
How do you follow up a record-breaking run of “Scrooge” at your theater? You stage “Showstoppers!” The creative crew at Clear Space Productions debuted the show last year with rousing success. So following the seventh season of “Scooge,” “Showstoppers!” rings in the New Year yet again. You’ll hear the best singers perform some of Broadway’s greatest numbers, including “Bosom Buddies” from “Mame,” “Easy Street” from “Annie,” and “Glitter and Be Gay” from “Candide.” Afterward, artistic director Doug Yetter and swing band will take the stage to make sure you ring the New Year in with grand style. The $50 ticket buys you the show, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, a champagne toast and all the dancing your feet can stand. 227-2270, clearspacetheatre.com
Speaking of Scrooge…
The New Candlelight Theatre continues its modern retelling of “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 23. It goes like this: Unhappy stage director Devlin Powers is on the verge of closing his theater days before his Christmas show opens, when he’s visited by a parade of Broadway characters past, present and future, who help Powers regain his joy for the season. You’ll hear tunes such as “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “We Need A Little Christmas.” 475-2313, nctstage.org
Gee, Wiz
You know the story well. A twister whirls Dorothy to another world where she meets witches and munchkins before her audience with the all-powerful “Wizard of Oz.” Wilmington Drama League brings the tale to life through Dec. 30. This is a story for all ages. 764-1172, wilmingtondramaleague.org
The Most Wonderful Time of Year—Still
Yuletide at Winterthur—that tribute to old-fashioned Christmases from Colonial times through World War II—opened last week, but you still have till Jan. 8 to tour the former home of famed collector Henry Francis du Pont, and see a world-class display of decorative arts. The highlight this year is a recreation of a traditional Twelfth Night ball in the Powell and Walnut rooms, which are included on the tour for the first time this year. The name refers to the 12-day break American colonists took from farm chores. The 12 days eventually yielded to a holiday oriented toward children and charity, one that included a Christmas tree. Yuletide at Winterthur will display a lavishly decorated Victorian-era tree, along with dozens of toys and a colorful “spider’s web” of ribbons that children followed to collect their gifts. There’s more, of course—room after room decorated in the fashion of its time—and it’s a sight to see. 888-4600, winterthur.org
Another Tradition
A Brandywine Christmas at Brandywine River Museum, a don’t-miss holiday activity. New this year: a dollhouse once owned by Ann Wyeth McCoy, which was crafted and furnished by hand by members of the Wyeth family, including her brother Andrew Wyeth. A reproduction of N.C. Wyeth’s “Old Kris” even hangs above the mantel. At more than 9 feet high, it’s scaled for dolls up to 2 feet tall, and it will be filled with Mrs. McCoy’s dolls, which she collected passionately throughout her life and dressed in clothing of her own design. Don’t miss the special chance to see this miniature world. As ever during A Brandywine Christmas, you can watch the cars of an O-gauge model railroad running on more than 2,000 feet of track, and don’t forget the thousands of “critter” ornaments made from natural materials by volunteers of the Brandywine Conservancy. See it till Jan. 8. (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org
