OC LIVE!

Comedy

Many comedy clubs shy away from so-called novelty acts, which, loosely translated, means anything besides one comic, one mike and no props. Fortunately, the two local Improvs have no such policy.

Performing through Sunday at the Irvine club are veteran performers Owen Morse and Jon Wee, also known as the Passing Zone, an act that has always liberally mixed laughs with Indian clubs. As Wee told The Times: “It didn’t take long to realize that people’s interest in juggling is limited.”

* Who: The Passing Zone.

* When: Tonight at 8:30; Friday 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Sunday at 8 p.m.

* Where: The Improv, 4255 Campus Drive, Irvine.

* Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Jamboree Road; head south. Turn left onto Campus Drive. The club is in the Irvine Marketplace.

* Wherewithal: $8 to $10.

* Where to call: (714) 854-5455.

Pop

Launched in 1988 by two Irish expatriates who had settled in Los Angeles, the Young Dubliners draw heavily, but not exclusively, on the folk strains of their homeland. While the seven-man band has a rollicking time with such fiery traditionals as “Rocky Road to Dublin” and “Follow Me Up to Carlow,” its records range widely through pop-rock styles, calling to mind such Irish-rock acts as Hothouse Flowers, Thin Lizzy and the Pogues.

* Who: The Young Dubliners, with Homer and Friendly Indians.

* When: Friday at 8 p.m.

* Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (5) Freeway to the Camino Capistrano exit and turn left onto Camino Capistrano. The Coach House is in the Esplanade Plaza.

* Wherewithal: $12.50.

* Where to call: (714) 496-8930.

Theater

Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol”--the story of miserly Scrooge and his nocturnal travels with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future--long has been a tradition on the theater scene in Orange County. South Coast Repertory’s affectionate staging again brings insight and imagination framed by fine design and startling special effects.

* What: “A Christmas Carol.”

* When: Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon and 4 p.m., through Dec. 24.

* Where: South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the Bristol Avenue exit and head north. Turn right onto Town Center Drive.

* Wherewithal: $22 to $30.

* Where to call: (714) 957-4033.

Family Affair

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Regional Park is hosting a seasonal event this weekend that sounds just ducky.

Cast as that parsimonious water fowl Scrooge McDuck, naturalist Dick Kust will introduce guests to a variety wild ducks now wintering at the bay through skits, games and stories.

Recommended for all ages, the free program on Shellmaker Island will wind up with a warming round of holiday carols and marshmallows roasting on an open fire.

* What: Christmas Campfire program with Scrooge McDuck.

* When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

* Where: Shellmaker Island at Upper Newport Bay, 600 Shellmaker, Newport Beach.

* Whereabouts: Exit San Diego (405) Freeway at Jamboree Road; drive south. Turn right onto Back Bay Drive, then left onto Shellmaker Island.

* Wherewithal: FREE.

* Where to call: (714) 640-6746.