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Next Best Thing
Next Best Thing is a new, limited-run commentary from KMUW. Every other Wednesday, KMUW's Jordan Kirtley will take a look at ways we can stay connected from a far via virtual events and outdoor activities.

Next Best Thing: For Your Christmas Queue

Music Theatre Wichita's Holiday Special was filmed and edited by Digital Brand.

One of my favorite things to do over the holidays is curl up with a blanket and some hot cocoa and watch something festive. Once you’ve blown through all six episodes of The Great British Baking Show: Holidays specials on Netflix, consider adding these local offerings to your queue.

Wichita’s historic Orpheum Theatre has a couple of options. First, there’s Jim Brickman's "Comfort & Joy at Home 2020" Virtual Tour. The live virtual concert premieres at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13. There are a few ticket packages, ranging from just the concert to an after show party with Brickman. A portion of all ticket purchases benefit the Orpheum Theatre.

The Orpheum also has two upcoming virtual performances of The Hip Hop Nutcracker, recorded live at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. General admission ticket holders must view the performance at the scheduled time—7:00 p.m. on either December 17 or 18—but the VIP package allows for the performance to be viewed on-demand within a 48-hour window and includes a post-show conversation with the creators.

More information on both events is at wichitaorpheum.com.

And Music Theatre Wichitahas produced an hour-long holiday special that premieres at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17 on KPTS channel 8.1. Four more showtimes will follow:

  • December 21 at 9:00 p.m. on channel 8.1
  • December 24 at 12:00 p.m. on channel 8.1
  • December 24 at 7:00 p.m. on channel 8.2
  • December 24 at 8:00 p.m. on channel 8.1

Here's the promotional video that shows off the impressive production value, filmed and edited by Digital Brand:

Jordan Kirtley is KMUW's Marketing Manager and the host of Next Up, a local events commentary. More casually she is known as KMUW’s “in-house artist,” having designed the many facets of KMUW’s visual identity.