Photo gallery ‘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](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Bassam50thChristmasW19_9094-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by: Jeff Miller
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 of the Tin Man holding a piece of paper with a pink heart.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Bassam50thChristmasL19_9452-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by: Jeff Miller
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.![Dorothy, played by Faith Oldenburg, prepares to make a rainbow from monochromatic chemicals.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Bassam50thChristmasL19_9416-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by: Jeff Miller
Dorothy, played by Faith Oldenburg, prepares to make a rainbow from monochromatic chemicals.![Photo of Shakhashiri seen through brightly colored cylinders of chemicals.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Bassam50thChristmasL19_9339-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by: Jeff Miller
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 of an audience member wearing a](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Bassam50thChristmasL19_9554-1024x683.jpg)
Photo by: Jeff Miller
Attendees received a holiday goodie bag containing a "science is fun" button and experiments to try at home.![Photo of a father, mother and daughter in red and green elf costumes.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Bassam50thChristmasL19_9578-1024x681.jpg)
Photo by: Jeff Miller
The Van Rossum family of Fitchburg show off their elf attire: from left, Joey, Scarlett and Brenda.Tags: chemistry, faculty, outreach, science, The Wisconsin Idea