Out there in the dark

In the Heart of the Beast's audience is a very friendly bunch. Theatergoers visited openly in the lobby before La Natividad moved outdoors.

Good Minnesotans of all shapes and sizes came dressed for the occasion.

The bright yellow room at Mercado Central on Lake and Bloomington Avenues in Minneapolis was even warmer with these two La Natividad audience members in it.

The Minneapolis puppet theater's show even attracted innocent passersby from the neighborhood.

Spectators became part of the show as performers passed out candles.

As the flames spread from hand to hand 15th Avenue South was transformed in to a river of floating stars.

The nice folks at Yellow Tree Theatre in Osseo, Minn., added a few extra chairs so that everyone in the will-call line got in to see The Miracle on Christmas Lake.

The audience responds with uncontrolled fits of laughter to the actor's impressive knowledge of "Minnesotan."

Waves and waves of sympathetic giggles pass through the audience.

Expectation fills the air as the second act of The Miracle on Christmas Lake begins.

Theatergoers in Osseo seemed to come as much for the community as for the show.

An audience member gets comfortable during intermission at Bedlam Theatre's annual holiday show, The Turducken.

The cast encouraged audience members to enjoy themselves. So they did.

An entire section full of Bedlam Theatre first timers tries to figure out what kind of world they have just entered.

Two audience members played along when they suddenly found themselves in the middle of The Turducken.

A moment of thoughtful reflection during a performance by carolers during intermission at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts' presentation of White Christmas in St. Paul.

Families flocked to see Irving Berlin's White Christmas.

Real theater lovers are not deterred by a little snowstorm or a pesky bit of ice.

Rice Park provided the perfect wintery backdrop for an afternoon of holiday theater at the Ordway.

A warm waiting ride home is appreciated on an afternoon like this.