Draped like tinsel on their annual calendars, many Southern California theaters decorate heavily with holiday theatricals. Most are either a spin on a single, familiar traditional Yuletide tale or are whimsical spoofs built with a seasonal sensibility. Add some musical garland and they’re set. Here’s a regional guide to some of this year’s notable offerings. Productions are listed chronologically by first performance.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
‘A Magical Cirque Christmas’ at Dolby Theatre
Acrobats, jugglers and other “cirque”-style performers will entertain audiences to the tune of popular Christmas songs in this touring production, which stops in town for five shows in three days. Nov. 25-27. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. $54-$149; 323-308-6300; Dolbytheatre.com
‘A Tuna Christmas’ at the 2nd Story Theater
The second of several “Greater Tuna” plays created in the 1980s and ’90s by the comedy writer/performer/director trio Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams. This one is a spoof set during Yuletide as news anchors at OKKK radio station in Tuna, Texas — the third-smallest town in the state — find out what the oddball locals have going on as Christmas arrives. Two actors fill the 22-character roles that satirize Southern lives. Through Sunday, Nov. 27. 2nd Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. $38. 714-849-6161; p3theatre.biz
‘White Christmas, The Musical’ at La Mirada Theatre
Based on the endearing 1954 movie holiday perennial, this touring adaptation features the classic Irving Berlin soundtrack, including the title track twice. Don LeMaster’s Big Band will be providing live musical accompaniment. Saturday, Nov. 26-Sunday, Nov. 27. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. $32-$85. 562-944-9801; lamiradatheatre.com
‘Annie’ at Dolby Theatre
Christmas isn’t the first thing that comes to mind with “Annie.” but it’s the last song in the family-friendly musical as the cast joins together for “A New Deal for Christmas,” with everyone from FDR to Annie’s dog Sandy on stage. The show includes the hits “It’s A Hard Knock Life” and “Easy Street,” not to mention “Tomorrow,” the ultimate ballad of perseverance and optimism for all seasons. Nov. 29-Dec. 18. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. $39-149. 323-308-6300; Dolbytheatre.com
‘A Christmas Carol’ at a Noise Within
Geoff Elliott adapted and co-directs this stage version of Dickens’s story in a family-friendly, 90-minute production. Dec. 3-23. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. $25-$87. 626-356-3100; anoisewithin.org
A touring production of “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” will stop at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert on Dec. 6 and The Soraya in Northridge on Dec. 7. (Courtesy of Theatre Latté Da)
‘All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ at The Soraya
Theatre Latté Da of Minneapolis presents this touring production based on a true story about a night of music and a brief moment of peace on the first Christmas of World War I that began when a German soldier ventured into No Man’s Land to sing “Stille Nacht.” Dec. 7. The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. $36-$80. 818-677-3000; thesorya.org
‘A Christmas Carol, The One Man Play’ at the Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center
The one man of the title is Los Angeles actor Gus Krieger, whose background includes the iconic Shakespearean roles of Richard III, Shylock and King John for the startlingly named The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company (the phrase comes from “Macbeth”). Here, Krieger turns from specialist to generalist, portraying more than 30 characters from the Dickens story. Dec. 8-11. 11006 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood. $30. 818-761-0704; portersofhellsgate.com
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Long Beach Playhouse
The playhouse presents its version of the classic tale for the 11th time. Dec. 9-18. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 Anaheim St., Long Beach. $10-$24. 562-494-1014; lbplayhouse.org
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at the Pantages Theatre
If not exactly seasonal in plot, Superstar sets up shop locally and loudly the day after the celebration of the title character’s birth. Beyond that synchronicity, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sung-through rock musical, loosely based on the Psalms, has had a new life in this somewhat stripped-down touring production. Dec. 26-31. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. $71-306. 323-468-1770. pantagestheatre.net
ORANGE COUNTY
“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” a stage adaptation of a cheesy 1964 film, has become a holiday tradition at Maverick Theater in Fullerton.The comedy runs at the theater Nov. 19-Dec. 23. (Courtesy of Maverick Theater)
‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ at Maverick Theater
Will children on Earth get cheated out of their presents? Maverick’s homegrown adaptation of the 1964 movie — which routinely shows up on worst-flicks-ever-made lists — addresses this burning issue for a 16th season, with an original score supplementing the hokum. Ages 5 and up. Nov. 19-Dec. 23. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton. $30 adults, $15 for children. 714-526-7070; mavericktheater.com
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Camino Real Playhouse
An alternate perspective is in south Orange County: this “A Christmas Carol” employs Charles Dickens on stage as both narrator — starting in 1853, the real Dickens delivered the work verbally more than 100 times — and then stepping into scenes from the story as they are acted out. Friday, Nov. 25-Dec. 18. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. $29.50-$39.50. 949-489-8082; caminorealplayhouse.org
‘Little Women — The Broadway Musical’ at Chance Theater
Although not explicitly Yule-themed, this musical version of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel is advertised as a “terrific theatrical treat for the holidays.” Friday, Nov. 25-Dec. 23 (Nov. 25-27 are preview performances). Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. $39 for previews; $49 for regular performances. 888-455-4212; chancetheater.com
Richard Soto and Richard Doyle appear in a scene from “A Christmas Carol” at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Jenny Graham, SCR)
‘A Christmas Carol’ at South Coast Repertory
It’s the production that will not be ghosted. Three years after announcing the upcoming retirement of its beloved production of the Dickens tale, this is, truly/supposedly, the final season for this accomplished rendering. Longtime SCR acting mainstay Richard Doyle is Scrooge for his second season; his initial reinvigorated crank-pot was revealed last December as a both ebullient and energizing performance. SCR has indicated there will be a new production in 2023. Saturday, Nov. 26-Dec. 24. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. $35-$89. 714-708-5555; scr.org
‘The Wonderful Winter of Oz’ at Laguna Playhouse
The annual Lythgoe Family panto-ization of almost any known tale with seasonal wrinkles returns to Laguna Beach and the 2022-model is “The Wonderful Winter of Oz.” The broad outlines of the plot are as follows: Dorothy is swept away by a blizzard on Christmas Eve and care to guess where she ends up? Holiday tunes will help power the journey. Dec. 8-30. Adults $51-$76, children $35-$50. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 949-497-2787; lagunaplayhouse.com
‘Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas’ at Chance Theater
Chance’s talent for musicals is impressive. Over time it has presented for young audiences the musical adaptation of Jane O’Connor’s “Fancy Nancy” books five times. Now Chance adds the Nancy follow-up, a seasonal musical featuring many of the same characters. This runs 1 hour, 10 minutes with an intermission and is for ages 4 and up. Dec. 9-23 (Dec. 9-11 are previews). Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Previews $25 for adults, $21 for children 4-12; regular performances $35 for adults, $31 for children 4-12. 888-455-4212; chancetheater.com
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
‘All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ at the McCallum Theatre
Theater Latte Da’s touring production (see above) makes another Southern California stop. 7 p.m. Dec. 6. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $35-$75. 760-340-2787; mccallumtheatre.com
‘A Christmas Carol’ by Riverside Community Players
Riverside Community Players presents a 70-80-minute version of the Dickens staple for family audiences. Dec. 9-11. Riverside Community Players, 4026 14th St. Riverside. $12. 951-686-4030. riversidecommunityplayers.com
A musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” will return to Old Town Temecula Community Theater from Dec. 1 through Dec. 11. (Courtesy of Angela Burch)
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Old Town Temecula Community Theater
This Temecula Valley Players variation on the classic story comes with songs written for a staging at Madison Square Garden (1994-2003) by a couple of musical heavyweights, Tony-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Lynn Ahrens. Dec. 1-11. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $20-$28. 866-653-8696; tickets.temeculatheater.org
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
‘Little Women’ at Redlands Footlighters Theatre
Playwright Kate Hamill’s modern take on the Alcott novel highlights its feminist themes. Dec. 2-18. Redlands Footlighters Theatre, 1810 Barton Road, Redlands. $18 adults, $12 students. 909-793-2909; redlandsfootlighters.org
LifeHouse Theater’s “A Christmas Song in My Heart” will be performed Dec. 11 and 18. (Photo by Bruce K. Manson)
‘A Christmas Song in My Heart’ at LifeHouse Theater
The fifth version of this self-produced work explores the inner workings behind some of the most famous Christmas songs. Past versions of the production have unearthed details behind well-known songs that were discovered to have been based on everything from a broken promise of marriage to an organ damaged by mice, as well as the death of an American president and a drinking song. The audience is then invited to join in singing each familiar song with a cast of up to 15. Dec. 11 and 18. LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. $19 for adults, $10 for children 3-11. 909-335-3037; lifehousetheater.com
VENTURA COUNTY
‘Elf’ at the Simi Valley Cultural Center
The 2003 hit movie has migrated to live stages, with the would-be elf finding out what’s it’s like to be human at a certain time of the year. While nobody likely matches Will Ferrell, stagings include a satisfying array of songs that accompany the journey from screen to stage. Nov. 19-Dec. 23. Simi Valley Cultural Center. 3050 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley. $20-28. 805-583-7905; Svvac.org
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