L.A. theater openings, Dec. 1-8: ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ opens

“Peter and the Starcatcher” alights at the Ahmanson, Bette Midler portrays super-agent Sue Mengers, and Brian Dennehy is “The Steward of Christendom.” Plus, a stocking stuffed full of seasonally -themed shows.

Celebrating the Holidays with The Lion King Cast members from the hit musical perform seasonal favorites in this benefit show. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Mon., 8:30 p.m. $35, $50. (323) 466-2210.

City of Light Concert reading of this Paris-set romantic-comedy musical. Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third St., Burbank. Tue., 7:30 p.m. $10. (818) 558-7000.

La Virgen De Guadulupe, Dios Inantzin The Virgin Mary’s appearance to peasant Juan Diego in 16th-century Mexico is reenacted in this Latino Theater Company presentation; in Spanish with English supertitles. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., L.A. Wed.-Thu., 7:30 p.m. Free; reserved seating, $35. (866) 811-4111.

PHOTOS: Arts and culture in pictures by The Times

Over the Rainbow: The Songs of Harold Arlen Musicologist Rob Kapilow celebrates the songwriter behind such classics as “Over the Rainbow,” “Get Happy” and “Stormy Weather.” Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $50. (562) 467-8818.

Bob’s Holiday Office Party Seasonal satire set in an insurance office in small-town Iowa. Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Opens Wed. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $20-$25. (800) 838-3006.

Peter and the Starcatcher Tony-winning musical prequel to “Peter Pan,” based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson; Roger Rees and Alex Timbers direct. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Wed.-Thu., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 12. $20-$110. (213) 972-4400.

A Christmas Carol with Charles Dickens The holiday tale is presented as a reading by the author himself; for ages 8 and up. Independent Shakespeare Co. in the Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., #162, L.A. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $15, $20. (818) 710-6306.

ART: Can you guess the high price?

Surrey Sings Shakepeare: A Theatri-Chorale Musical revue celebrates the Bard of Avon. Met Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., L.A. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $15. (323) 960-5773.

A Christmas Carol Dickens’ classic tale of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m.; ends Dec. 24. $25-$30. (818) 244-8481.

Don’t Tell My Mother! The storytelling series returns with dysfunctional holiday-themed tales. Cafe-Club Fais Do-Do, 5257 W. Adams Blvd., L.A. Thu., 8 p.m. $15, $20. (323) 931-4636.

Eat Your Words Monthly storytelling series focuses on food-themed tales. The Standard Hotel, 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. Free.

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues Tony winner Daisy Eagan is featured in this off-color comedy about a scandal in Santa’s workshop. Complex Theatre, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20. (323) 596-1648.

CRITICS’ PICKS: What to watch, where to go, what to eat

I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers Bette Midler portrays the legendary Hollywood talent agent in the West Coast premiere of Tony winner John Logan’s one-character play. Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $87-$325. (310) 208-5454. Story on Page E1

KAWL Presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play for the Stage A struggling 1940s-era radio station offers its own take on the Frank Capra classic in this holiday tale. Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20. (818) 849-4039.

Kurt Weill at the Cuttlefish Hotel Tony winner Paul Sand and company celebrate the songs of the German composer in this cabaret show. West End Theatre, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20. (310) 425-8308.

Caburlesque Christmas: Holidays at the Knock Shop Musical revue features sultry singers and exotic dancers. Archway Studio/Theatre, 305 South Hewitt St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $15. (213) 237-9933.

The Invisible Play West Coast premiere of Alex Dremann’s fantastical romance set at a publishing company. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20, $25. (323) 856-8611.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Musical based on the classic 1954 film starring Bing Crosby. Norris Center for the Performing Arts, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $25, $45. (310) 544-0403.

Merry Christmas, Y’all A dysfunctional Texas family reunites for the holidays in this off-color comedy. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 5. $15. (818) 508-3003.

Millennium Magic XIV Local magicians and illusionists perform in this annual revue. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $15, $20. (323) 851-7977.

Mom’s Gift The Group Rep presents the world premiere of Phil Olson’s supernatural comedy about a spirit tasked with fixing the family she left behind. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Jan. 19. $15-$22. (818) 763-5990.

The Mystery Plays The Visceral Company presents two spooky, interrelated one-acts about mayhem and murder. The Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Jan. 5. $20. (323) 871-1150.

The Queen Family’s Very Special Holiday Special A Christmas telethon opens its doors to atheists, the Amish and others in this satire. The Actors’ Gang, 9070 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; ends Jan. 4. $30, $34.99; Thursdays, pay what you can. (310) 838-4264.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Family-friendly holiday tale based on the 1964 B-movie cult classic. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. Sold out. (714) 526-7070.

Astroglyde 2013 Nine new mini-tales on the themes of truth, terror and titillation. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Somberton Senior Residence Presents ‘The Nutcracker’ A young man attempts to stage the classic ballet in a rest home in this holiday farce. Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 5. $15. (562) 433-3363.

A Christmas Carol Adaptation of Dickens’ holiday fable, with original music. A Noise Within, 3352 E.t Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $46 and up. (626) 356-3100.

Somewhere Like Earth Four Clowns Jr. presents an interactive tale about the environment; for ages 6-11. Attic Theatre, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $5, $10. (213) 232-0175.

The Velveteen Rabbit An adaptation of the classic children’s book kicks off the first-annual Los Angeles Children’s Theater Festival. The Santa Monica Little Theater, 12420 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Jan. 5. $10. (310) 622-4482.

A Christmas Carol Family-friendly adaptation of the Dickens tale. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., noon and 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 26. $21 and up. (714) 708-5555.

Ladybird Family-friendly holiday tale about a Mexican immigrant and her working-class neighborhood; in Spanish with English supertitles. 24th Street Theatre, 1117 W. 24th St., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. 24 cents. (213) 745-6516.

A Christmas Memory Musical based on a Truman Capote short story about a young boy being raised by his three eccentric cousins in 1933 Alabama. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 29. $36-$71. (949) 497-2787.

Brian Stokes Mitchell: Simply Broadway The Tony winner performs classic show tunes. Valley Performing Arts Center at Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Sat., 8 p.m. $25-$65. (818) 677-3000.

A Little Night Music Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara presents the Stephen Sondheim musical; with Piper Laurie, Stephanie Zimbalist and Patrick Cassidy. The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $20-$65. (805) 965-5400.

The Gizmo Guys Comedy juggling act for ages 4 and up. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $8, $12. (562) 944-9801.

Blue Suede Christmas A pair of Elvis impersonators perform classic hits and seasonal favorites. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $35-$65. (562) 467-8818.

The Steward of Christendom Tony winner Brian Dennehy stars in Sebastian Barry’s drama about an elderly man reflecting on his life after being committed to a mental institution in 1930s Ireland. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 5. $20-$70. (213) 628-2772.

MORE

PHOTOS: Hollywood stars on stage

CHEAT SHEET: Fall Arts Preview

PHOTOS: Arts and culture in pictures