Packed calendar of holiday theater in the Sacramento area
The holiday theater season is so much upon us that some productions have already come and gone. Still, through the end of the year there will be seasonal shows (and some alternatives) for almost all tastes.
Here’s a selection of holiday-theme theater from around the region, including professional, community and church theaters that are all celebrating the season in myriad ways.
Peter Pan Panto
What: City Theatre at Sacramento City College presents Christine Nicholson’s “Peter Pan: A British Panto,” a holiday adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s popular play. Luther Hanson directs.
When: Through Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays; also 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 28 and Dec. 12.
Where: Performing Arts Center/Auditorium Theatre, Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento
Cost: $10-$18
Information: www.citytheatre.net
A Christmas Carol
What: Buck Busfield adapts the Charles Dickens classic for the B Street Family Series with Greg Alexander as a sarcastic meta-theatrical Scrooge, with Amy Kelly, John Lamb, Megan Wicks and Nestor Campos Jr. portraying the cast of familiar characters.
When: Through Sunday Dec. 27, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays.
Where: B Street Theatre Family Series Stage, 2711 B St., Sacramento
Cost: $15-$29
Information: 916-443-5300, bstreettheatre.org
Handle With Care
What: B Street favorite Stephanie Altholz plays a young Israeli woman, and newcomer Tyler Pierce is a young American, in this holiday romance.
When: Through Sunday, Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m Wednesdays and Sundays.
Where: B Street Theatre Mainstage, 2711 B St., Sacramento
Cost: $23-$35, $5 student rush
Information: 916-443-5300, bstreettheatre.org
Miracle on 34th Street
What: The classic film about the man claiming to be Kris Kringle gets the stage adaptation treatment. With a book and score by Meredith Willson.
Where: Woodland Opera House, 340 Second St., Woodland
When: Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays
Cost: $12-$25
Information: 530-666-9617; Woodlandoperahouse.org
A Christmas Story
What: The now classic rose-colored Christmas narrative about a boy who wants a BB gun is presented by LeGacy Productions.
Where: Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City
When: Opens Friday, Nov. 27 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 27; 7 p.m. Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays (except Dec. 6) and Thursday, Dec. 24
Cost: $20
Information: 530-268-5419; www.Legacypresents.com
Cinderella
What: The popular Shakespeare Santa Cruz panto version of the classic fairy tale with a book and lyrics by Kate Hawley, music by Gregg Coffin, from an original concept by Paul Whitworth. Michael Laun directs and Samuel Clein leads a live band.
Where: Sacramento Theatre Company, Main Stage, 1419 H St., Sacramento
When: Opens Wednesday, Dec. 2 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 27; 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays (except Christmas); 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays
Information: 916-443-6722; www.sactheatre.org
Scrooge
What: Rodger Hoopman’s long-running original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Christmas ghost story takes a final bow at Chautauqua Playhouse. Warren Harrison directs.
Where: Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Road, Carmichael
When: Opens Friday, Dec. 4, and continues through Wednesday, Dec. 23; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
Cost: $10-$15
Information: 916-489-7529; www.cplayhouse.org
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
What: A couple try to stage a Christmas pageant with the “most awful kids in history.”
Where: The Acting Company, 815 B St., Yuba City
When: Open, Friday, Dec. 4, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 20; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays;
Cost: $15
Information: 530-751-1100; www.actingcompany.org
A Christmas Carol
What: Stage Right Productions offers a one-hour dessert presentation of the familiar Dickens story.
Where: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5901 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin
When: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec.4-5; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 5-6; 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec.6
Cost: $10-$15
Information: 916-281-6372; Stagerightproductions.net
Just In Time . . . For Christmas
What: A small church choir deals with the drama in their lives as they prepare a Christmas program in this drama with music by James Wheatley.
Where: Celebration Arts Theatre, 4469 D St., Sacramento
When: 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 17-19;
Tickets: $15-$13. Thursday night seats are $8.
Information: 916-455-2787; www.celebrationarts.net
A Charlie Brown Christmas
What: Roseville Theatre Arts Academy presents the Peanuts gang discovering the true meaning of Christmas.
Where: Roseville Theatre, 241 Vernon St., Roseville
When: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5-19
Cost: $8-$10
Information: 916-772-2777; Rosevilletheatreartsacademy.com
The Christmas Catastrophe
What: Chautauqua Children’s Theatre
Where: Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Road, Carmichael
When: Noon and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5-19
Cost: $7
Information: 916-489-7529; www.cplayhouse.org
La Pastorela De Sactown
What: This Latino Center of Art and Culture bilingual musical taps into the Mexican La Pastorela tradition of actors portraying shepherds who set out for Bethlehem and deal with temptations along the way. Script by Joan Holden; Dena Martinez directs.
Where: The Crest Theater, 1013 K St., Sacramento
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec., 19; caroling and Posada verses at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $5-$15
Information: www.ticketfly.com; crestsacramento.com
Not ‘holiday’ but still fun
Two Gentlemen of Verona
What: Big Idea Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s early comedy of mistaken identities set in Rat Pack-era Las Vegas. Gail Dartez directs.
When: Through Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays
Where: Big Idea Theatre,1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
Cost: $10-$20
Information: (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.org
The Behavior of Broadus
What: Capital Stage presents the Sacramento premiere of the award-winning new musical, more or less about John Broadus Watson, father of Behaviorism and modern advertising. Written by Burglars of Hamm and directed by Albert Dayan.
Where: Capital Stage, 2215 J Street, Sacramento
When: Previews Wednesday, Dec. 9, opens Saturday, Dec. 12, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 9; 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays
Cost: $30-$50
Information: 916-995-5464; www.capstage.org
Marcus Crowder: 916-321-1120, @marcuscrowder
This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Packed calendar of holiday theater in the Sacramento area."