Taylor Gilbert and Andrew Elvis Miller (Photo by Lizzy Kimball)
STAGE LISTINGS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Dec. 19 – 25, 2024
OPENING THIS WEEK:
All Theaters, Region-Wide:
No performances submitted
CONTINUING PERFORMANCES
Larger Theaters, Region-Wide:
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE’S THE NUTCRACKER The holiday classic choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. Segerstrom Center for the Arts. 300 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa; check website for schedule; thru Dec. 22. https://www.scfta.org
BOB BAKER’S NUTCRACKER A marionette adaptation of the ballet classic. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Open Sat., Dec. 7; check website for schedule; thru Jan. 15. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
CAT KID COMIC CLUB THE MUSICAL A musical adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man spin-off series, Cat Kid Comic Club, written by Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander. Stage Raw’s review. Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City; check website for schedule; thru Jan. 5. https://CenterTheatreGroup.org
RECOMMENDED A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Anthony Adu (Photo by Craig Schwartz)
A dramatization of Dickens’ classic about a miser who comes to learn the error of his ways. Stage Raw’s review. A Noise Within, 3352 Foothill Blvd., Pasadena; Fri.-Sat., 7 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 pm; thru Dec. 24. https://www.anoisewithin.org/play/a-christmas-carol-2024/
A CHRISTMAS CAROL A dramatization of Dickens’ classic about a miser named Scrooge and how he learns the value of love and family. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; check website for schedule; thru Dec. 24. www.scr.org.
A COWBOY LULLABY An original theatrical concert about the truths, myths, lies and legends of the American West, and the poetry of characters with dreams as vast as the open range. Rubicon Theater Company, The Karyn Jackson Theatre, 1006 East Main St., downtown Ventura; check website for schedule; thru December 22. https://www.rubicontheatre.org
FANCY NANCY SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS Family entertainment that follows the title character and her elegantly wrapped presents, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles and a holiday tree. Chance Theatre, Fyda Mar Stage at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center, , 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; Wed.-Thurs., 7 pm, Sat.-Sun., 1 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm; Sat., 1 pm; thru Dec. 22; www.ChanceTheater.com
RECOMMENDED JANE AUSTEN’S EMMA, THE MUSICAL!
Mandy Foster (Photo by Benjamin Busch)
Paul Gordon’s musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic tale of romance and matchmaking. Stage Raw’s review. Chance Theatre @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; Wed.-Thurs., 7:45 pm, Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 3 pm; thru Dec. 22. www.ChanceTheater.com
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET In this musical, an extraordinary twist of fate brings Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. Ensemble Theatre Company, The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara; Wed.-Thurs., 7:30 pm, Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm, for additional performances, check website for schedule; thru Dec. 22. etcsb.org
RECOMMENDED ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
David Patrick Kelly, Ana Gasteyer and Michael Urie (Photo by Joan Marcus)
A musical comedy about a princess who charms her way into the heart of a prince in a kingdom where the queen has banned marriage. Stage Raw’s review. Ahmanson Theater, 135 N Grand Ave. downtown LA. Tues.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat., 2 pm, Sun., 1 pm and 6:30 pm; thru Jan. 5. www.centertheatregroup.org
RECOMMENDED OY TO THE WORLD
Jay Brian Winnick, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Maya Sofia Enciso and Cameron J. Armstrong (Photo by Ray A. Rochelle)
A musical showcase that celebrates the Jewish songwriters who helped shape the modern-day Christmas that everyone knows and celebrates. Stage Raw’s review. El Portal Theatre, Lankershim Blvd., N. Hollywood; Thurs.-Sat., 7 pm, Sat., 3 pm, Sun., 1pm and 5 pm; thru Dec. 22. www.elportaltheatre.com
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL: A PIRATE’S CHRISTMAS A singing, swashbuckling adventure performed in the high-flying style of a British holiday Panto. Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Thurs.-Sat., 7 pm, Sat., 3 pm, Sun., 12 noon and 4 pm, also Fri. Dec. 27, 2 pm; thru Dec. 22. www.5startheatricals.com.
RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH Rapunzel tries to escape from her tower and the wicked Madame Gothel with the help of Prince Sebastian of Newport Beach in this premiere family show by Kris Lythgoe. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach. Check website for schedule; thru Dec. 29. https://www.lagunaplayhouse.com
RECOMMENDED TROUBIES’ HOME ALONE-LY HEARTS CLUB BAND
Beth Kennedy and Company (Photo by Ashley Erikson)
This year’s original, world-premiere musical-comedy is a holi-day in the life of 6-year-old Kevin McAllister and his wacky family, including mom, Kate. Stage Raw’s review. Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third St, Burbank; Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm ss4, Sun., 7:30 pm; thru Dec. 22. www.troubie.com
RECOMMENDED WAITING FOR GODOT
Rainn Wilson, Aasif Mandi, and Adam Stein in “Waiting for Godot” at the Geffen Playhouse. (Photo by Jeff Lorch)
As Vladimir and Estragon wait and wait for the arrival of the elusive Godot, a cast of mysterious misfits interrupt their endless vigil in Samuel Beckett’s tragi-comic masterpiece. Rainn Wilson and Aasif Mandvi are featured. See Stage Feature. Geffen Playhouse, Le Conte Ave., Westwood; ; Wed.-Sat, 8 pm, Sat., 3 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Dec. 21. www.geffenplayhouse.org.
WICKED Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One – born with emerald-green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Opens Wed., Dec. 4; check website for schedule; thru Feb. 2. www.hollywoodpantages.com
Intimate Theaters, Hollywood:
RECOMMENDED CIVIL TWILIGHT
Plays with People Productions in association with Road Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Shem Bitterman’s thriller about a popular A.M. radio personality who winds up in the same motel room with his biggest fan. Stage Raw’s review. The Broadwater, 1076 Lillian Way, Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat. 8 pm; Sun., 3 pm; thru Jan. 26. https://theciviltwilight.ludus.com
Intimate Theaters; Downtown LA, South LA, East LA:
RECOMMENDED A CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH CHARLES DICKENS
David Melville (Photo by Grettel Cortes)David Melville portrays Dickens on tour, playing nearly all the characters in the plot of his famous novella just as the historical Dickens did in real life. Stage Raw’s review. ISC Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., Atwater; Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 2 pm, Mon., Dec.23, 7:30 pm; thru Dec. 23. www.iscla.org
RECOMMENDED THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Photo courtesy of CASA 0101
A musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell. Stage Raw’s review. Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 East First Street (at St. Louis Street); Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 3 pm dark Fri., Nov. 29; thru Dec. 22. www.casa0101.org
Intimate Theaters, Valleys in LA County:
HOLIDAY EXPRESS A collection of 5 original one act plays written by various writers reflecting the holiday season. Write Act Repertory at the Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove St., N. Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 3 pm; thru Dec. 22. https://holidayexpress24.brownpapertickets.com
RECOMMENDED MRS. DILBER’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
Christopher Leon Simms, Bree Pavey, Raymond Donahey (Photo by Paul Davis)
Scrooge’s maltreated housekeeper from “A Christmas Carol,” meets Marley and the Spirits of Christmas before they haunt Scrooge, then sets off on a past, present, and future adventure of her own in this play by Arthur Jolly. Stage Raw’s review. Loft Ensemble, 11031 Camarillo , N. Hollywood; Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 7 pm; thru Dec. 22. www.loftensemble.org
SANTASIA A musical sketch comedy show featuring Broadway musical parodies. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Check website for schedule; thru Dec. 22. santasia.com
Intimate Theaters, West Side and Beaches:
RECOMMENDED BOB’S HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTY
Andrea Hutchman and Rob Elk (Photo by Louisa Gauerke)
A comedy about what happens when an insurance agent and his whacked-out friends and clients get together for their annual holiday bash. Stage Raw’s feature from last year’s production.The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm; Sat., Dec. 21, 4:30 pm, thru Dec. 21. https://odysseytheatre.com/tickets/?eid=141238
HOLIDAY HUMBUG Christmas characters collide in strange and unexpected ways in this Actors’ Gang original. The Actors Gang, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City; Sat, 9 pm; thru Dec. 21. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35132/production/1217224
SPIRIT OF THE DANE Tony Cronin’s comedy is about happens when Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is called out of the place where all fictional characters abide to confront a post-modernist academic lecturing about him. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica; Thurs. and Sat., 8 pm; thru Dec. 21. www.theatreforasmallspace.org
THE STEAM-POWERED ROCKET RIDE TO THE MOON OR… GROUND CONTROL TO GUILLO AND ROD Heroes Rod McGirdlebutt and Guillermo “Guillo” Fao take on the dastardly villains threatening to destroy Long Beach’s beloved Pike in this family-friendly show. Stage Raw’s review. The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th St., Long Beach; Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm, thru Dec. 21. https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/553
Intimate Theaters, Neighboring Counties:
I’LL EAT YOU LAST Cathy Moriarty as the ruthless Hollywood powerhouse talent agent Sue Mengers in John Logan’s one-woman, one-act play. The Bent, Palm Springs: check website for additional info; thru December 22. www.thebent.org
Special Events:
ARMS AROUND AMERICA (PODCAST) A podcast for everyone who wants to end gun violence, even if we disagree on how to get there. Each episode of “Arms Around America” features a short immersive audio drama based on stories of real families from around the country whose lives have been shaped by guns. https://www.danfroot.com/podcast
FROSTY FEST A series of seven unique shows, all with a holiday theme. Check website for more info. www.FrostyFestLA.com
THE FUNNY THING ABOUT A PANIC ATTACK A poetry and dance solo show by poet and author Ben Kassoy. Broadwater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sun, Dec. 15, 2:30 pm.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-funny-thing-about-a-panic-attack-tickets-1049230726347?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing
THE GLASS MENAGERIE An audio production of LA Theatre Works of Tennessee Williams iconic play, available at latw.org.
GOLDEN SHIELD A tale of technology, international intrigue and the delicate art of translation was recorded as part of LATW’s acclaimed Relativity Series of science-themed plays. A state-of-the-art recording by LA Theatre Works. latw.org
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY Joe Landry’s play features Ewan MacGregor. The show is performed as part of the company’s Holiday Family Faire, where carolers, singing madrigals and other performers will roam the grounds; Theatricum company members will tell winter holiday stories from a variety of traditions; Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to take family photos. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga theatricum.com/holiday-family-faire
OPEN DOOR PLAYHOUSE A platform for presenting short plays in podcast form. Free. http://opendoorplayhouse.org
–Compiled by Deborah Klugman
