‘Christmas in the Lab’ celebrates 50 years of chemistry and comedy

What began as a holiday treat for long-suffering freshman chemistry students has turned into a 50-year tradition. Professor Bassam Shakhashiri took to the stage to perform “Once Upon a Christmas Cheery in the Lab of Shakhashiri” to packed houses Saturday and Sunday, amazing and delighting with a series of chemistry experiments. If you couldn’t score a ticket, watch it on PBS Wisconsin Dec. 16 at 5 a.m., Dec. 18 at 9 a.m., Dec. 20 at 11 a.m., Dec. 22 at 7 a.m., Dec. 24 at 5 a.m. or Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.

Photo of the audience and the scientists onstage with their equipment

On stage at far left, Shakhashiri and Rodney Schreiner, a senior scientist emeritus, perform science accompanied by the Science Is Fun Band, led by Mike Leckrone. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of a ball of flame erupting from a balloon.

Explosions – the bigger and louder, the better – are a key part of the show. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of Bucky Badger pouring a chemical into a flask.

Bucky Badger helps Shakhashiri perform a color-changing experiment. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of the Tin Man holding a piece of paper with a pink heart.

A color-changing chemical reaction gives the Tin Man, played by Sam Taylor, the heart he's always wanted as Dorothy and Shakhashiri look on. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Dorothy, played by Faith Oldenburg, prepares to make a rainbow from monochromatic chemicals. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of Shakhashiri seen through brightly colored cylinders of chemicals.

Shakhashiri says his goal "is to trigger cerebral and emotional engagement to heighten the audience's joy in learning and to celebrate the role of science in society." Photo by: Jeff Miller