Tired of the same old carols, nutcrackers and Grinches? If so, these off-kilter Christmas shows may be just the ticket.
“A Very Meow Meow Holiday Show”
Imagine a Christmas spectacular gone awry — that, and “organized chaos” is how Meow Meow describes this cabaret act. The cheeky chanteuse from Down Under, formerly known as Melissa Madden Gray, has sung with everyone from Rufus Wainwright to the von Trapp family grandchildren. She even has a cameo in the upcoming “Cats” movie. Expect a crazy cocktail of Radiohead, Rodgers and Hammerstein and original songs at her holiday show, sung in several languages. “You may not be moved, but you will be touched,” she tells The Post — if not by her, then by her guest stars. Leave the kids at home.
$25 and up. Dec. 12-14, BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St., Brooklyn; BAM.org/meowmeow
“Weird Holidays”
While lining up the talent for this variety show, Michelle Drozdick went for the “strangest submissions” she could find. “If I thought it was funny, I said, ‘Go for it!’ ” she says. Expect 90 minutes of stand-up and skits, including a short monologue on awkward holiday experiences, with violin accompaniment; a DJ with intestinal issues and an “anti-clown” performance company that interacts with and/or antagonizes its audience. It’s all good, family-friendly fun.
$10. Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., the Tank, 312 W. 36th St.; TheTankNYC.org
“The Santa Closet”
High on little Gary’s wish list is a Sparkle Ann doll. “I know I’m supposed to play with an action figure,” Gary says, “but it’s kinda boring, ’cause you can’t style their hair.” Jeffrey Solomon, who wrote this play, understands: He grew up gay, Jewish and “hook, line and sinker into Santa.” Solomon plays all the characters in his solo show, including a closeted St. Nick, his Jewish agent and the actress who serves as Santa’s beard, Mrs. Claus. “It’s a classic Christmas tale, filtered through a gay, Jewish sensibility,” Solomon says. And it’s funny, to boot.
$20 to $55. Through Dec. 22 at Teatro Circulo, 64 E. Fourth St.; HousesOnTheMoon.org