Holidays on Stage: Live theater abounds, from sentimental to snarky

For those seeking holiday heart-warmers

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

“You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be just to throw it away?” For many, guardian angel Clarence’s words to the despairing George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” ring as true as the bells that grant angels wings. The Kentwood Players present this holiday classic as a live 1940s radio broadcast; playgoers act as the live studio audience. A handful of actors play all of the characters and provide sound effects to tell the story of the small-town man who gets a new lease on life one fateful Christmas Eve.

Runs through Dec. 14 -– Westchester Playhouse, Westchester

www.kentwoodplayers.org, (310) 645-5156

A Christmas Carol

Chains will rattle as supernatural forces lead another lost soul to rediscover himself. This is the second year A Noise Within is presenting the Charles Dickens classic, adapted for the stage by Geoff Elliot, who also stars as quintessential curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge. Attend a holiday tea before the matinee performance on Dec. 8.

Runs Dec. 7 through 22 -– A Noise Within, Pasadena

www.anoisewithin.org, (626) 356-3100, ext. 1

A Perfect Likeness

Can’t get enough Dickens at Christmastime? “A Perfect Likeness,” Daniel Rover Singer’s new comedy, time-travels to 1866, two decades after Dickens created “A Christmas Carol.” The play imagines a meeting between the exuberant extrovert Charles Dickens and the renowned introvert Lewis Carroll, who has recently penned the nonsensical “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Curiouser and curiouser!

Runs through Dec. 22 -– Fremont Centre Theatre, South Pasadena

www.fremontcentretheatre.com, (866) 811-4111

Aladdin and His Winter Wish

Will Aladdin get his winter wish for snow in the desert? To find out, come to this holiday carpet ride featuring magic, dancing, a live pony and such contemporary tunes as Bruno Mars’ “Treasure.” Get ready to boo and cheer in the update of the classic Arabian Nights tale, presented in Panto theatrical style. An all-star cast includes Jordan Fisher (“Teen Beach Movie”) as Aladdin, Ashley Argota (“Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures”) as the Princess, Broadway’s Ben Vereen as the Genie and Richard Karn (“Home Improvement”) as the Sultan. Come early with the kids to enjoy carolers, games and more.

Runs Dec. 11 through 29 -– The Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena

www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org, (626) 356-7529

Christmas in Folliesland

After 23 years of shows, the final curtain call for the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies arrives this May. The cast of singers and dancers, who range in age from 55 to 84, will kick up their heels for the holiday version of their show, “Christmas in Folliesland.” Susan Anton, the special guest star for the holiday shows, will sing such songs as “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.” Dancing rabbis will perform “The Dreidel Song,” while snow will fall onstage during “White Christmas.“ Champagne bottles will pop, and hats and noisemakers will come out for the two New Year’s Eve shows.

Holiday shows run through Dec. 31 -– Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs

www.psfollies.com, (760) 327-0225

Maybe all the holiday hubbub makes you want to scream “Bah humbug!” If so, a trip to a playhouse might be your ticket back to sanity. Whether you want to take a sentimental journey and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas or you’d rather take in a play worthy of the naughty list, Southland theaters offer a sack full of holiday choices.

For snarky holiday skeptics

A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens

Scrooge, Tiny Tim and those know-it-all ghosts aren’t the only holiday characters razzed by “Colbert Report” alums Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort in the return of an irreverent version of the holiday classic. Rudolph’s Misfit Toys, George Bailey and even the Peanuts gang get theirs, too. Featuring a Second City cast, the show is guaranteed to include audience-interactive improvisation. Don’t forget to pick up a Tiny Timtini or Scroogedriver cocktail in the lobby.

Runs Dec. 8 through 29 -– Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City

www.centertheatregroup.org, (213) 628-2772

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues

Leave the kiddies home for “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues,” a wicked satire returning to the Chance Theater for the 10th year. As mass media swoop into the North Pole for the scoop on the latest sex scandal, Santa’s elite sleigh team lets the nasty rumors and accusations fly. Did Ol’ St. Nick really molest Vixen, or is she just seeking attention? “That man has been a walking, talking, holly-jolly sex crime waiting to happen for years,” cries Cupid. So much for reindeer games.

Runs Dec. 3 through 22 -– Chance Theatre, Anaheim

www.chancetheater.com, (714) 777-3033

Bob’s Holiday Office Party

Pull out your ugly Christmas sweaters and leave your inhibitions at home. Small-town insurance agent Bob Finhead is throwing his annual holiday bash. As his friends and clients arrive and the liquor begins to flow, things are bound to get wild. Originating 18 years ago as an improvised

show, “Bob’s Holiday Office Party” has developed a local cult following.
Bobophiles will delight in new surprises in the script penned by writers/actors Joe Keyes and Rob Elk. This is, of course, an adults-only party.

Runs Dec. 4 through 22 -– The Pico Playhouse, Los Angeles

www.bobsofficeparty.com, (800) 838-3006

The Pain and the Itch

Brace yourself for the worst Thanksgiving ever in “The Pain and the Itch,” a wickedly funny comedy of desire, deceit and family values written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris. Chaos ensues in the Pacific Palisades home of “perfect” couple Clay and Kelly when Clay’s mom, a self-proclaimed socialist, and Clay’s brother, a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, and his young Eastern European girlfriend arrive for dinner. And what is the creature prowling around upstairs?

Runs through Dec. 1 -– Zephyr Theatre, L.A.

www.plays411.com/pain, (323) 960-5774

Walkin’ in a Winter One-Hit Wonderland

The troupe of actors, musicians and comedians who hatched such humorous musical mash-ups as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Motown” and “Frosty the Snow-Manilow” is back at the Falcon with “Walkin’ in a Winter One-Hit Wonderland.” Winter Warlock, a favorite Troubadour Theater Company character, returns and takes a walk down memory lane while crooning some chart-topping one-hit wonders with his holiday friends.

Runs December 4 through Jan. 19 -– Falcon Theatre, Burbank

www.falcontheatre.com, (818) 955-8101

—Karen Koch, Brand Publishing Writer