FLINT, Michigan — Stepping into a historic theater can be a powerful experience in itself, but seeing actors, dancers, comedians, and musicians on stage or the silver screen can make the experience that much more engaging, transformative, and memorable.
This month, the
FIM has a diverse lineup of concerts, movie singalongs, drag shows, timeless theatre productions, comedians, and actor appearances, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.
Ashley Poirier, FIM manager of patron communications and content strategy, says this year’s goal of the holiday programming focuses on the theme of “coming home for the holidays.” A few of the productions are utilizing Flint-born-and-bred talent on-stage and off-stage.
“We have a number of artists who are associated with FIM or Flint in some way who will be performing throughout the season,” she says. “For instance, with ‘The Nutcracker,’ we’re featuring three alumni of the Flint School of Performing Arts. That’s a special thing for us, typically for that performance, we hire an outside company to work with students as they prepare for the production. This year, we are featuring these alumni from Flint Youth Ballet, and they are working with the ballet kids. It gives some of these ballet kids a goal knowing that these professional dancers came from the same place they are now.”
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Courtesy photo.Poirier says being able to bring all of these professional performing artists who used to be students on some of these stages is a proud feeling, and represents why their organization works so hard to bring accessible art programs, scholarships, and tuition assistance to young people.
“That’s what it’s all about — having every opportunity to show these young people that they can do and be anything,” she says. “Not everybody wants to be a performer, people engage in performing arts for all different kinds of reasons. For those who really want to harness their talent, grow into something, make a career out of this, they have the opportunity to see people who did that, people who came from the very same place they are in now.”
Kicking off the December lineup of diverse events is
Napoleon Dynamite Live! on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the FIM Capitol Theatre.
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This 20th-anniversary celebration of the indie cult classic movie, “Napoleon Dynamite” brings a discussion following the film with cast members Jon Heder, Jon Gries, and Efren Ramirez. The live show brings improv, Q&A, and game show elements and invites the audience to participate alongside the shenanigans of Napoleon, Pedro, and Uncle Rico.
“The next generation of young people have started to embrace this film as a kind of representation of everyday life and awkward teen years,” Poirier says.
Next up, you’re invited to go on a magical whimsical journey through the land of Narnia with the Flint Youth Theatre’s winter production of
“The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe” on Friday-Saturday, Dec. 6-7 at MacArthur Recital Hall at J. Dallas Dort Music Center. Aspiring young actors perform this classic C.S. Lewis story.
A holiday tradition for many families is getting dressed up and going to see
“The Nutcracker.” This year’s ballet performance occurs Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 7-8 at FIM Whiting Auditorium. The FIM Flint School of Performing Arts and FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra perform the beloved story by Tchaikovsky.
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Courtesy photo.Continuing with the dazzling display of the art of music is the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas show on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Whiting Auditorium. This year is the 40th anniversary of their Christmas tour which features 15 musicians, 20 instruments, and a backdrop of multimedia effects. Grammy-award-winning artist and band founder Chip Davis is also a University of Michigan alumnus and the best-selling Christmas music artist, selling over 31 million albums.
Switching music genres over to an all-vocal country group, the band Home Free brings their
“Any Kind of Christmas Tour” to the Capitol Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 12. Blending harmonies and the hits with modern Nashville-inspired pop songs and country ballads, Home Free gives a heartwarming mix of songs, wrapped up and topped with a bow, to audiences.
The group’s newest member, Adam Bastien is an alumni of the Flint Youth Theatre and has performed on “The Voice.” Bastien is coming home to Flint for this show.
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New this year to the holiday lineup is the Flint Under the Stars drag show,
“Make the Yuletide Gay,” on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Capitol Theatre. This adult-only show features comedy, drama, and entertainment from Mid-Michigan drag queens and special guest, Miss Gay America 1982.
Poirier says the non-traditional show is holiday-themed, but brings a new way to celebrate the season. Local performer Astara Love is local to the area and helps bring representation that isn’t always showcased.
“We think it’s important to represent all kinds of people and artists on our stages, and I think the holidays are the perfect time to do that,” she says.
“Drag shows really emanate joy, and it’s packaged in a non-traditional way, but it’s important that all corners of our community see themselves represented in our theaters and on our stages. Drag performances are about inclusivity, making sure everyone feels warm, welcome, and safe. That’s something we want people at FIM to feel all the time.”
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Courtesy photo.This event is free but is suggested to be a donation-based performance. Ticket proceeds go to KidsTix which creates more access for kids and their families to see FIM’s productions.
Another holiday classic film many families huddle around the couch to watch every year is brought to the stage this year.
“White Christmas: Sing-Along Edition” brings the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, inviting audiences to sing along in the familiar flick on Friday, Dec. 20 at the Capitol Theatre.
“The holidays are a time when people want to get together, engage together, and really embrace that spirit of togetherness,” says Poirier. “It’s nice when we can all go out and see a performance or movie, but it’s a whole different level when we can participate in the experience. Making this classic film into something they can actually engage in just elevates that spirit of family, togetherness, and enjoyment.”
Rounding out the holiday season of programming is another annual favorite event, with the Flint Symphony Orchestra’s
“Holiday Pops” show on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Whiting Auditorium.
This show brings together the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Symphony Chorus, and the Flint Youth Chorus who will be joined by Detroit native Billy Petty and Mid-Michigan's own Ally Jackson, back for a second year, as they lend their vocal gifts to the festivities. The concert includes traditional music alongside upbeat, festive tracks.
To learn more about the FIM, visit: thefim.org