The New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus opens its winter season with a playful search for Santa that blends choral storytelling, well-known seasonal characters, and bright musical writing. Naughty or Nice? Checking It Twice! begins its run at The Lensic in Santa Fe before heading south to Albuquerque for a three-show weekend.
The production centers warmth, ensemble performance, and holiday spirit in true Santa Fe Spirit.
What Is Scheduled for Santa Fe and Albuquerque?
Performances take place across two weekends, beginning in Santa Fe with a single evening show followed by three presentations in Albuquerque.
Santa Fe Performance
- When: Saturday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: The Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 West San Francisco Street
- Tickets: Tickets cost $27 to $70 for the Santa Fe event.
Albuquerque Performances
- When: Friday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, December, 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 14, at 2 p.m.
- Where: The Hiland Theater, 4800 Central Avenue Southeast
- Tickets: Ticket prices range from $55.20 for Tier three to $172.57 for Orchestra seats at the Albuquerque event.
How Do Visitors Find Ticket Information?
The NMGMC website lists complete ticket details for both cities. Because The Lensic and The Hiland use separate ticketing systems, audiences can go directly to the Lensic ticket page for Santa Fe or the Hiland ticket page for Albuquerque to select seats.
The NMGMC site notes that unauthorized third-party resellers may circulate invalid tickets and provides a section for reporting questionable listings along with links to venue-specific ticketing assistance.
What Story Does the Holiday Production Tell?
At the center of the show is a moment of uproar at the North Pole. Krampus takes Santa’s Naughty List, and Santa vanishes at the same time, sending familiar holiday figures into motion. Angels, the Virgin Mary, the Maccabees, and the Three Queens each help move the search forward in their own way.
Their path is carried through choral arrangements, seasonal music both traditional and newly adapted, and moments of theatrical humor. The production builds a holiday story that unfolds as audiences uncover each step in the search.
What Makes The Lensic the Home for the Santa Fe Performance?
The Lensic Performing Arts Center sits only steps from the Santa Fe Plaza and remains one of the most recognizable stages in the city. Originally opened in 1931 as a movie palace and vaudeville house, it was restored in 2001 in a way that preserved its Spanish-Moorish details while preparing it for modern production needs.
The theater now hosts more than 200 events every year, drawing audiences for music, film, lectures, and touring performances. Its central location, historic design, and steady role in Santa Fe’s arts community make it a natural home for NMGMC’s winter presentation.
What Should Audiences Know About The Hiland Theater in Albuquerque?
The Hiland Theater stands along the Central Avenue section of historic Route 66 and has been part of Albuquerque’s arts landscape since 1950. The building began as a large suburban movie theater with more than 1,100 seats and ample parking, later undergoing restoration that prepared it for its current use.
Today it operates as the performance home of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico and presents concerts, theatrical works, and community programming throughout the year. It will host all three Albuquerque performances of this season’s NMGMC holiday production.
What Guides the Work of the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus?
Founded in 1981 as The Brash Ensemble, the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus has grown into one of the Southwest’s well-established LGBTQ+ arts organizations. Its mission centers on building an inclusive community through music and honoring the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and the wider state.
The chorus carries this mission into classrooms, community events, and statewide performances, maintaining a schedule that spans both artistic work and outreach.
Its annual holiday production remains a cornerstone of the organization’s year, reflecting the group’s motto, “Changing the World Through Music,” and its commitment to connecting people through song.
What Are the Ways People Can Support the Chorus?
Supporters can begin with attending a performance. Those who want to contribute further can find opportunities on the NMGMC website, including donations, sponsorships, giving levels, and other support options that help sustain outreach, educational programming, and performances across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should guests plan to arrive?
Arriving 20–30 minutes before the show allows time for parking, lobby seating, and finding your place before lights dim.
Are there differences between the Santa Fe and Albuquerque performances?
All performances feature the same storyline and music, though each venue has its own seating layout and ticketing system.
Is there an intermission?
Yes. The program includes a brief intermission midway through the performance.
What accessibility services are available?
Each venue includes accessible seating, restrooms, and parking areas. Visitors may contact the box office directly for specific accommodations.
Where can visitors find updates or last-minute announcements?
Updates, venue notes, and performance information are maintained on the event’s official page on the NMGMC website.
A Holiday Season Shared Across Two Cities
For more than four decades, the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus has ended the year with a winter concert that brings people together in theaters across the state.
This season continues that pattern, connecting audiences in Santa Fe and Albuquerque through a program shaped by choral performance, humor, and the group’s long commitment to community engagement.
Choose the city that fits your schedule, take your seat, and share an evening grounded in music and holiday cheer!
Buy tickets now!
This article was posted by Jess
