L.A. theater listings, Nov. 29-Dec. 6: ‘Guys and Dolls’ and more

This week: Characters Dickensian and Runyonesque will appear on local stages.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians 10th-anniversary edition of this stage adaptation of the 1964 sci-fi comedy. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton. Sun., 4 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 23. $12, $22. (714) 526-7070.

We Laid Our Bodies Down Spoken-word artists share intimate stories to mark World AIDS Day. Skylight Theatre, 18161/2 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Sun., 5 p.m. $15 suggested donation. (213) 761-7061.

Cake Batter’s Funny Women Festival L.A. Four-day showcase features a variety of female performers and events; details at www.ioimprov.com. iO West Theater, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Wed.-Sat. 7 p.m. $5, $10. (323) 962-7560.

A Snow White Christmas Family-friendly, panto-style holiday musical inspired by the fairy tale. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., noon and 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 27. $20-$60. (949) 497-2787.

A Christmas Carol Musical version of the Dickens classic. Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $25. (714) 793-1150.

A Christmas Carol With Charles Dickens Independent Shakespeare Co.’s David Melville re-creates a performances of the holiday tale by the author himself. The Village at Westfield Topanga, 250 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat.-next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 6.; also in Atwater Village, Dec. 10-20. $20, $35; limited number of free tickets available. (818) 710-6306.

Don’t Tell My Mother! Teri Hatcher and Casey Wilson (“Happy Endings”) take part in the comedy/storytelling series’ holiday show. Busby’s East, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Thu., 8 p.m. $16-$20. (323) 525-2615.

Jackie Beat: White Meat or Dark? The veteran drag performer returns with a new tune-filled holiday satire. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 6. $25, $30. (800) 838-3006.

La Virgen De Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin The Latino Theater Company stages its 13th-annual reenactment of the Virgin Mary’s visitations with peasant Juan Diego in 16th-century Mexico; in Spanish with English titles. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted; reserved seating, $35. (866) 811-4111.

Les Yeux Ouverts (Open Eyes) Marie-Christine Barrault portrays famed French writer Marguerite Yourcenar in this U.S. premiere; in French with projected English titles. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. $30-$40. (310) 286-0553.

The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Home Alone Send-up of John Hughes’ hit 1990 holiday comedy. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., noon and 8 p.m.; ends Jan. 3. $20-$45. www.rockwell-la.com.

A Very Die Hard Christmas! Theatre Unleashed presents the West Coast premiere of this satirical holiday show inspired by the 1988 action film starring Bruce Willis. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 19. $20. (818) 849-4039.

Alice! Denise Devin’s new musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”; for ages 13 and up.. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Anne of Green Gables Musical adaptation of the beloved novel about an irrepressible redheaded orphan in rural Canada. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 27. $35-$45. (714) 777-3033.

Bob’s Holiday Office Party 20th-anniversary production of this seasonal satire set in an insurance office in small-town Iowa. The Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $25, $34.99. (310) 204-4440.

Cash on Delivery! British comic-actor Ray Cooney stars in son Michael Cooney’s farce about a social-security scam. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $46, $56. (818) 508-4200.

A Christmas Carol South Coast Rep’s 36th annual staging of the Dickens classic. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., noon and 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 27. $21-$71. (714) 708-5555.

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues The off-color holiday satire returns. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 and 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $35. (714) 777-3033.

The Gary Plays – Part 1 First installment of Murray Mednick’s eight-play cycle about an out-of-work actor in L.A. Skylight Theatre, 1816 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., noon; ends Dec. 6. $20. www.openfist.org.

The Groundlings Holiday Show Sketch comedy and improv. Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; ends Dec. 19. $20. (323) 934-4747.

Guys and Dolls The Oregon Shakespeare Festival stages the classic musical based on Damon Runyan’s stories of various shady characters in 1940s NYC. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $29-$110. (310) 746-4000.

Holiday Hijinks Burlesque show featuring Off the Record Cabaret. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $18. (818) 980-7529.

Jane Austen UnScripted Impro Theatre improvises tales inspired by the works of the “Pride and Prejudice” author. The Edye Theatre at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $40. (310) 434-3200.

Millennium Magic XVI Local magicians perform. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 6. $15-$25. (323) 851-7977.

New Play Festival Readings of new works by Carlos Murillo, Jen Silverman, Carson Kreitzer and Hansol Jung. Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m., 2 and 4:30 p.m. Free; reservations recommended. (626) 683-6883.

Somberton Senior Residence Presents “The Nutcracker” A young man attempts to stage the classic ballet in a rest home in this holiday farce. The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Jan. 17. $20. (562) 433-3363.

Who Killed Santa? West Coast premiere of this mature-audiences-only puppet-musical-comedy-whodunit with multiple possible endings. Theatre 68 @ NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 2. $25. (323) 960-5068.

A Christmas Carol Dickens’ beloved holiday fable. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 1 and 4 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 23. $48 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

A Christmas Carol Brand-new adaptation of Dickens’ classic holiday fable. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $35-$95. (805) 667-2900.

Miracle on 34th Street Rancho Cucamonga Community Theatre presents the holiday fable based on the 1947 movie. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 13. $16-$22.50. (909) 477-2752.

A Rat Pack Christmas Tribute show features classic songs and holiday favorites. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Sat., 8 p.m. $29-$54. (800) 745-3000.

Santasia — A Holiday Comedy Multimedia holiday special features musical parodies, stop-motion animation and more. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sat.-Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 26. $26, $40. (818) 990-2324.

The Sophisticated Rogue A tortured writer battles the fictional characters he’s created in William Norrett’s holiday comedy; for ages 13 and up. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 19. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Women in Jeopardy! Ensemble Theatre Company presents the West Coast premiere of Wendy MacLeod’s farcical murder mystery; Annabelle Gurwitch stars. The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $35-$65. (805) 965-5400.

Shakespeare’s Last Night Out (or What? You, Will??) Writer-performer Michael Shaw Fisher portrays the playwright in this solo musical. Three Clubs Lounge, 1123 N. Vine St., Hollywood. Next Sun., 6 p.m.; ends Dec. 13. $10, $20. (800) 838-3006.