One of the BEST, most enjoyable and professional holiday shows around here is Encore Theatrical Arts Project‘s (ETAP) annual Christmas production, which starts next week. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it! ”3 Days ’til Christmas,” a new holiday musical, is an upbeat, exciting all-ages show that will get you pumped up for the holiday season. During its 18-year history, this local non-profit has been showcasing the work of local young artists with performances throughout the year, but may be best known for its annual Christmas production, often billed as something akin to the holiday show at Radio City Music Hall, and they’re not kidding!
The organization describes itself as having “raised the bar for local theatre,” and they’re not exaggerating. I’d heard about this group and production last year, and with such high expectations, I was hoping to not be disappointed. I am glad to say I was not! Their shows (not just the holiday ones but the others I’ve attended since then) have all been high-energy productions with great dancing, fun choreography, beautiful costumes, and elaborate sets.
ETAP provides training and performance opportunities to aspiring youth while adhering to standards of excellence in performance, choreography, musical direction, lighting, costume, and set design result. The result is a high-quality production by local students that will leave you in awe.
It’s three days ‘til Christmas and time to load the sleigh, but what has happened to all the gifts? What fiendish folly has befallen the North Pole? It will take more than elves and magic to get ready for Santa’s late night flight.This Broadway-Style holiday musical, appropriate for audiences of all ages, will usher in the season and get your toes to tapping. This is a holiday musical tradition you can’t miss….Come see why…
Show hours are:
Friday, Dec. 12 – 8 pm
Saturday, Dec. 13 – noon, 4 pm and 8 pm
Sunday, Dec. 14 – noon and 4 pm
Friday, Dec. 19 – 8 pm
Saturday, Dec. 20 – noon, 4 pm and 8 pm
Sunday, Dec. 21 – noon and 4 pm
Shows are at the Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Cultural Center on the Annandale campus:
Ernst Cultural Center
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale 22003
Want to attend this show for FREE? Fairfax Family Fun is giving one lucky reader a chance to win a family 4-pack of tickets for a show on the date and time of his or her choice!
To enter this giveaway, simply do both of these:
1. Subscribe to the free Fairfax Family Fun newsletter using the form at this link; winners will be contacted via the emails they provide via that sign-up form.
2. Leave a blog post comment below.
You must do both of these steps by midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 9! Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Tickets will be held for the winner at Will Call. If you already have subscribed to the FFF newsletter; don’t worry, duplicates will be deleted but your entry is still good!
Thanks to ETAP for providing these tickets. Happy holidays to all!
Show preview images and flyer courtesy of ETAP
This looks wonderful! What a fun holiday tradition to start. Friday, December 12th at 8pm would be my pick is able. Opening night always has a unique energy not found in other performances. If opening night is not possible, any night would be a blessing. Thank you Fairfax Family Fun and the Encore Theater Nights Project for this opportunity!
Looks like a great show, I hope I win
This show sounds amazing! Thank you for highlighting such a family-friendly, seasonal outing idea. I am glad I found your website.
We went to ETAP for the first time last year and loved it! We would love to go again this year 🙂
We would love this!
ive seen this group perform before – they are fantastic!
We’ve never been but hear great things, we would love to win tickets!
This looks fun 🙂
Would LOVE to be able to attend!
I think my kids would love this!
We would love to see this show!
looks fun!
I have been searching for the perfect holiday show to take the kids! This looks great and I am thankful for the chance to win tickets!
Looks like a great show, and we would love to go!
This is our favorite holiday show. If you have Girl Scouts, it is a great troop outing. Hope to win tix for our family to go Saturday night!
looks fun!
The show looks fantastic – we’d love to attend!
Something different to do for the holidays
Wow!! I want to take my kids to the show 🙂
Omg my daughter would love love LOVE this!!! She’s so into musicals! Mommy – daughter date!!
I wish I can win…..
Sounds like a fun show!
This would be a great show for our family esp. For our daughter who will have knee surgery on the 17.
Love to see it . Anytime works .