Other Holiday Offerings

Orange County

“The Long Christmas Dinner” by Thornton Wilder will be presented Thursday on a program with Wilder’s “The Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton” and “The Twelve Pound Look” by J.M. Barrie at Southern California College, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Curtain: 8 p.m. $4. (714) 556-3610 ext. 274.

The Orange County Children’s Theatre production of “The Dickens Christmas Carol Show” by Arthur Scholey continues through Sunday at the Westminster Cultural Arts Center, 7571 Westminster Blvd., Westminster. Curtain times: Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The Saturday evening performance will be signed for the hearing impaired. $5. (714) 502-2244. Review, F2.

“Kitty Claws and the Magic of Dreaming” by Molly Hardy continues through Sunday at the Gem Theatre, 12852 Main St., Garden Grove. Curtain times: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. $7 to $11. (800) 492-5297.

“An O. Henry Christmas” continues through Dec. 18 at Cal Rep, Cal State Long Beach, 7th Street and West Campus Drive, Long Beach, Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. $15. (310) 985-5526. Review, F2.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” continues through Dec. 18 at the Cypress Civic Theatre, 5172 Orange Ave., Cypress, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. $3 to $8. (714) 229-6796.

“Christmas with Sal and Amanda Gecko” continues through Dec. 19 in the Studio Theatre at Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. $10 to $12. (714) 582-4656.

The Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera production of “Scrooge” continues through Dec. 19 at the Yorba Linda Forum Theatre, 4175 Fairmont Ave., Yorba Linda, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. $12 to $14. (714) 779-8591 or (714) 779-1932.

Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” and other seasonal stories and poems begin Friday at 8 p.m. at the Alternative Repertory Theatre, 1636 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana. $16 ($11 with the donation of food or an unwrapped toy). The program continues at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 21-23; and at 5 p.m. Dec. 12, 19 and 24. (714) 836-7929.

“Navidad Flamenca” will be presented Sunday at the Robert B. Moore Theatre at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, at 2:30 p.m. $12 and $16. (714) 432-5880.

Shakespeare Orange County’s “Midwinter Night’s Dream,” a program of songs, stories, holiday readings and comedy, opens Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Waltmar Theatre at Chapman University, 301 E. Palm St., Orange. Continues Dec. 17, 18, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. $16 to $20. (714) 744-7016.

Los Angeles County

La Virgen Del Tepeyac (Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro, (213) 680-3700). El Teatro Campesino’s production based on a Mexican folk drama about the four apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego in 1531. Adapted by Luis Valdez. Sat. 8 p.m. Also Sun., Dec. 18-19, 22, 26, 3 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 19, 26, 7 p.m.; Dec. 14-18, 21-23, 8 p.m. Ends Dec. 26.

A Christmas Carol (Locations follow). Patrick Stewart in his award-winning solo adaptation. Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, (310) 916-8500; $12-$28. Dec. 18, 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m.: Caltech, Beckman Auditorium, Pasadena, (800) 423-8849, (818) 395-4652, (818) 395-3700 TDD; $30-$40 (Caltech sold out). Ends Dec. 19.

Cinderella (UCLA, Freud Playhouse, (310) 825-2101, (213) 480-3232). Zsa Zsa Gabor headlines as the fairy godmother in this British production of a traditional holiday “pantomime” version of the fairy tale, featuring broad comedy, song and dance. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 and 7 p.m. Ends Jan. 9. $15-$25.

The Lost Christmas Festival II: More Lost (Lost Studio, 130 S. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, (213) 933-6944). Circus Minimus presents new works by Joseph Goodrich, John Steppling and others, plus the Circus Minimus Sugar Plum Faerie Dancers, the Catherine Mac Kinnon Christmas Babes and more. Sat.-Sun., also nightly, Tue.-Dec. 23, 8 p.m. Sat.-Dec. 23. $10.

A Christmas Carol (Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower, Hollywood, (213) 964-3586). Doris Baizley’s musical adaptation presented by the Actors Co-Op. Thur.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Ends Dec. 19. $7-$12.

Blackstone Magic Holiday Show (La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., (800) 994-9002, (714) 944-6310, (310) 944-9801). Noted magician Harry Blackstone in his traveling magic extravaganza. Dec. 17, 8 p.m.; Dec. 18-19, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Ends Dec. 19. $12.50-$25.

An O. Henry Christmas (CalRep Theatre, Cal State Long Beach campus, 7th Street and West Campus Drive, Long Beach, (310) 985-5526, (310) 985-1781). Howard Burman’s holiday family show based on stories by O. Henry. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. Ends Dec. 18. $15.

The Homecoming (Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., (818) 355-4318). Perry Clark’s adaptation of Earl Hamner Jr.’s book about a family’s Christmas vigil, the story that led to “The Waltons” TV series. Fri.-Sun., also Wed.-Dec. 19, 22, 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2:30 p.m. Friday-Dec. 22. $5-$8.50.

A Very Special Christmas Story (Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, Wells Fargo Theatre, Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, (213) 667-2000, ext. 317). Dominic Hoffman’s radio theater drama about an African American family on the Western frontier. Sat. only, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. $15.

Chanukah at Home (Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge, (818) 701-1018). A holiday concert with Uncle Ruthie Buell, Dan Crow, Fred Sokolow and John and Pam Wood. Sun. only 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. $8-$10 (lap-sitters under age 2 are free).

A Christmas Carol (Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura, (818) 998-2339, (213) 480-3232). Dickens’ classic under the stars, performed by the J.P. Nightingale Repertory Theatre Company and the Theatre Arts Festival for Youth in association with the National Parks Service. For adults and children age 5 and up. Outdoors; dress warmly and bring a cushion. Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Advance reservations required. $4-$7.

Bob Baker’s Holiday Spectacular (Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, 1345 W. 1st St., (213) 250-9995). Bob Baker’s puppets and marionettes in a gala salute to the winter holidays. Birthdays accommodated. Tue.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 2:30 p.m.; call for special December dates. Ends Jan. 23. $8-$10.

Cinderella (Deaf West Theatre, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive, Hollywood, (213) 660-0877, (213) 660-8826 TDD). Deaf West Children’s Theatre presents the tale in American Sign Language and spoken English, with sign and voice translation. Thur.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. Ends Sun. $5 (Sat. benefit for the Deaf Children’s Theater Fund, $25).

The Snow Child (Norris Theatre, 27570 Crossfield Drive at Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes, (310) 544-0403). Serendipity Theatre Company’s adaptation of a Russian folk tale about a childless couple whose child of snow comes to life. For ages 5 and up. Thur.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. Ends Sun. $12.

A Christmas Memory and One Christmas (Attic Theatre, 6562 1/2 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 469-3786). Two Depression-era Christmas stories by Truman Capote based on his boyhood in the rural South. Adapted and directed by James Carey. Thur.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Thur.-Dec. 19. $5-$10.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., (310) 652-9199). Serendipity Theatre’s adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s humorous book about the worst kids in town who take over the local Christmas pageant. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 4 p.m. Ends Dec. 19. $6-$12.

San Diego County

Black Nativity (Old Globe Theatre, Simon Edison Center for the Performing Arts, Balboa Park, (619) 239-2255). Langston Hughes’ telling of the Christmas story in music, mime and dance. Thur.(12/9)-Sat., also Sun., Dec. 19, 2 and 7 p.m.; Mon.-Dec. 16, 20-22, 8 p.m. Thur.-Dec. 22. $4-$8.

La Pastorela Magica (Old Globe Theatre, Simon Edison Center for the Performing Arts, Balboa Park, (619) 239-2255). The traditional Mexican nativity play presented by the Old Globe and Mascara Magica. Thur., also Mon., Dec. 17-18, 8 p.m.; Sun., also Dec. 19, 2 and 7 p.m. Thur.-Dec. 19. $4-$8.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical Gospel According to Dickens (San Diego Repertory Theatre at Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza, (619) 235-8025). Dickens’ classic told through theater, gospel music and dance. Today, 1 and 8 p.m.; Thur.-Fri., also Tue.-Dec. 18, Dec. 21, 23, 8 p.m.; Sun., also Dec. 19, 24, 26, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sat., also Dec. 22, 2 and 8 p.m.; dark Dec. 25. Ends Dec. 26. $18-$24.