A Very Phoenix Xmas XVIII: A Miracle on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.

Jamaal McCray brings his version of A Very Phoenix Xmas back to the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre starting Saturday, November 28, and running through Sunday, December 20. It's the eighteenth edition of the theatre's long-running holiday parody, and this time it's McCray's take on it.

The show opens with the hijacking of a Winter Solstice celebration, and from there it turns into a journey that asks what, why, and how we celebrate—and what those celebrations are actually worth. It's wrapped in McCray's thoughtful, deeply metaphorical style, and it leans more toward the theatrical than the sketch comedy the production is usually known for. There might even be a rap battle in there.

This version features an all-Black cast and a west side flair, and it's a different animal from the editions that came before it. If you've seen A Very Phoenix Xmas in the past, this is a good chance to see how it changes when a different voice takes the lead.

All performances are at 7 PM at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N Illinois Street. Tickets are open seating for Adult Standard General Admission, with discounts for seniors 55+, college students with valid ID, and current or former military with valid ID. There's also a Supporter ticket, which is the standard GA plus a $10 donation to the theatre, and a VIP option that adds a $20 donation, reserved seating, and one free bar item.