Southland Stages Brimming With Seasonal Temptations

How about a theater ticket in that hard-to-fill stocking? A gift of a different stripe for Hannukah? Southland theaters, humble and great, are brewing up seasonal offerings for all ages, from jingle bells and Santa Claus to Truman Capote and Isaac Bashevis Singer.

It’s also time to roll out the Dickens: No less than a baker’s dozen “Christmas Carols.” Following is an impartial partial list.

For adults and families:

“Babes in Toyland.” A new version of the Victor Herbert musical, featuring Robert Morse. Dec. 10-18 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Dec. 22-30 at the Orange County Center for the Performing Arts, (213) 410-1062; $15-$30 (children 4 to 12 half-price).

“Barnum.” A theater and circus event. Through Dec. 11 at the Laguna Moulton Playhouse, (714) 494-8022; $3-$7.50.

“Chelm Stories.” Written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, presented in Yiddish and English as part of a storytelling series. Dec. 18 only at Barnsdall Park’s Gallery Theatre, (213) 485-4474; free.

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” A musical version of Dylan Thomas’ classic poem. Through Dec. 24 at the Grove Theatre Company’s Gem Theatre in Garden Grove, (714) 636-7213; $13-$17.

“A Christmas Carol.” A musical version in traditional style. Thursday through Dec. 24 at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, (714) 957-4033. $18-$20.

Another version at San Diego Repertory’s Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza through Dec. 24, (619) 235-8025. (Signed for the hearing-impaired this Sunday only.) $13-$22.

A reading by Patrick Stewart, the Royal Shakespeare Company veteran who plays “Star Trek: The Next Generation’s” new captain. Dec. 17-18 at Wadsworth Theatre on the Veteran’s Administration grounds in Westwood, (213) 825-2953; $18-$22.

From the Nebraska Theatre Caravan. Dec. 16 at Cal State Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium, (714) 773-3371; $12.50-$17.50.

A new adaptation, with emphasis on music. Through Dec. 18 at PCPA Theaterfest, Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, (800) 221-9469; $7-$15.50.

A musical version, Dec. 14-15 at Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre in Malibu, (213) 456-4522; $20.

A traditional version, Victorian style, through Dec. 18 at Los Angeles City College’s Caminito Theatre, (213) 669-5528; $3-$6.

The Imagination Company’s version about four radio actors. Dec. 17 only at the Encino Community Center, (818) 995-1690; $5.

Through Dec. 18 at the Advent Theatre in North Hollywood’s First Christian Church, (818) 763-9027; $8-$15.

Presented for the 24th year. Through Dec. 23 at the Glendale Centre Theatre, (818) 244-8481; $6-$8.

Also through Dec. 11 at Golden West College, (714) 895-8378; $6-$7.

“Christmas Carol” and “Robin Hood.” From Great Britain’s Hampstead Players. Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 4-8, in the Balcony Theatre of the Pasadena Playhouse (818) 356-PLAY; $5-$12.

“A Christmas Carol, The 1937 Radio Play.” A re-enactment of an old-time radio play. Tonight only at the Malibu Community Center in Pt. Dume, (213) 457-4054; $2-$5.

“A Christmas Memory.” Truman Capote’s evocative holiday reminiscence, is presented as a staged reading by the Mark Taper Forum’s literary cabaret for the seventh year in a row. Through Dec. 22 at the Itchey Foot Ristorante, (213) 972-7231; $6.

“Gift of the Magi.” O’Henry’s classic adapted with carols and audience participation. Through Dec. 23 at Pasadena’s Basement Theatre, (818) 397-1651; $5-$8.

“The Glory of Christmas.” Another perennial spectacular, with live animals, flying angels and special effects. Through Dec. 23 at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, (714) 54-GLORY; $14-$25.

“A Holiday Festival.” A family musical running at Griswold’s Claremont Center through Dec. 30, (714) 626-1254; $24-$38.

“Jack and the Beanstalk.” A traditional British-style panto with songs, silliness and B.J. Turner as Dame Trot. Through Dec. 11 at Performance/Riverside, (714) 684-3240; $6-$10.

“The Long Christmas Dinner.” Thornton Wilder’s one-act augmented by carols, poetry and stories. Through Dec. 18 at the Pacific Theatre Ensemble in Venice, (213) 306-3943; $9-$10.

“Moscow Circus.” Clowns, aerialists, tigers, bears on an American tour. Wednesday through Dec. 11 at San Diego’s Sports Arena, (619) 278-8497 or 224-4176. Dec. 13-18 at the Inglewood Forum, (213) 480-3232; $12.50-$17.50.

“Oliver!” The musical based on Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” presented by the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera. Through Dec. 18 at at the Lobero Theatre, (805) 963-0761; $14.50-$16.50.

“Santa’s Christmas Comedy Spectacular.” Late night music and comedy with the Company of Angels Players. Friday through Dec. 17 at the Richmond Shepard Theatre in Hollywood, (213) 466-1767; $10.

“Season’s Greetings.” Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy about a holiday gathering. Through Dec. 17 at the Long Beach Community Players, (213) 494-1616; $8-$9.

“Una Pastorela.” A bilingual production of a traditional “shepherd’s play” runs Wednesday through Dec. 18 at the Presidio Chapel in Santa Barbara (805) 966-9719; $4.

For children:

“Alexandra: The Art of Bear Detecting.” A musical journey into a child’s imagination. Through Dec. 11 at Norwalk’s Excelsior Auditorium, (213) 480-3232; $8-$10.

“Alias Santa Claus.” An 1800s-era comedy musical. Through Dec. 18 at the Santa Monica Playhouse, (213) 394-9779; $5.

“Beauty and the Beast.” Little Broadway Productions’ lavishly costumed version. Dec. 20-23 at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys, (818) 509-0963; $3.50-$5.

“The Jingle Bell Gang.” A Storybook Theatre musical for preschoolers. Dec. 17-24 at Theatre West in Hollywood, (818) 761-2203; $5.

“The Night Before Christmas.” A musical adaptation by the Los Angeles Children’s Theatre, using a hearing-impaired and a hearing cast. The signed show is Dec. 10, (213) 652-2377; free. The hearing cast plays Dec. 17, (213) 465-0070; $5. Both are at Barnsdall Park’s Gallery Theatre.

“The Nutcracker.” Presented by the Jim Gamble Puppets. Dec. 10 at Lincoln Junior High School Auditorium in Santa Monica, (213) 271-6402; $3.50.

“Pancakes.” Lois Young’s puppet sing-along. Dec. 17-31 at the Back Alley Theatre in Van Nuys, (818) 780-2240; $6.50.

“Holidaze II.” Musical fantasy. Through Dec. 11 at Golden West College, (714) 895-8378; $3-$5.

“Silver Star Holiday.” Puppet musical revue. Through Jan. 15 at the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, (213) 250-9995; $7.