A heavenly message of Christmas hope

Since its premiere in 1994, Octavio Solis’ musical Christmas play, “La Posada Magica,” has been a popular perennial on South Coast Repertory’s Second Stage in the newly expanded Folino Theatre Center. This year, for the first time, “Magica” is being done on the Julianne Argyros Stage, SCR’s new theater, a blissfully commodious space in which the play takes on new depth and scope.

On the boards of the cozy but cramped Second Stage, the show was sweetly engaging. Now, there’s more razzle-dazzle in the mix, thanks largely to the technical innovations of Christopher Acebo’s ingenious new scenic design. In a particularly elegant moment, hidden doors behind an upstage scrim open in succession to reveal a heavenly emissary who delivers a buoyant message of Christmas hope -- just one of the striking touches in this newly expanded production.

Costume designer Shigeru Yaji, lighting designer Lonnie Alcaraz and choreographer Linda Kostalik, who have been on board the production for years, ingeniously augment their efforts to fit the confines of the new facility. Yaji’s costumes, which range from the sedate to the no-holds-barred glitzy, are particularly vivid.

In her third season as director, Diane Rodriguez keeps the action as simple as Solis’ story -- a plus, if you’re imbued with the spirit of the season and looking for a way to reconnect with the meaning of Christmas. However, those interested in more sophisticated holiday fare might find the proceedings overly broad and episodic.

The show was inspired by the Latin American tradition of Las Posadas -- literally, “the lodgings” -- community processions reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter on the eve of Christ’s birth. Solis’ alternately cheeky and reverent version revolves around the character of Gracie (Tiffany Ellen Solano), an embittered young girl so devastated by the recent death of her infant brother that she deliberately sabotages the ceremony. Naturally, the magic of Christmas ultimately affirms Gracie’s faith.

It’s Solano’s fourth season in the role. Many in the cast are veterans of past productions. In fact, Crissy Guerrero, who plays Mariluz in the present production, appeared as Gracie from 1995-98. The cast shows the ease of long association, and a family atmosphere prevails on stage and off. Marcos Loya’s original music, performed to the sprightly on-stage accompaniment of Loya and Lorenzo Martinez, remains a highlight of this animated and unabashedly sentimental entertainment.

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‘La Posada Magica’

Where: South Coast Repertory, Folino Theatre Center, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: Tuesdays-Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Ends: Dec. 24

Price: $20-$35

Contact: (714) 708-5555

Running time: 2 hours