Christmas Plays and Shows in LA 2012

Los Angeles is full of actors, so it's no wonder we celebrate the Christmas season with a plethora of holiday plays and performances. They range from classics performed as written to classics twisted beyond recognition to long-running LA originals and home grown world premieres. Whether you're looking for heartwarming nativity stories or bawdy cross-dressing camp, you'll find it here. Support LA theatre by paying full price if you can. If you can't, links to discount tickets are provided where available. The holiday shows are listed here chronologically based on opening date.

The Bald Soprano: A Christmas Anti-Play
City Garage Theatre presents Eugene Ionesco's absurdist satire of middle-class manners and banalities set at a holiday gathering in Paris.
When: Nov 1 - Dec 23, 2012
Where: City Garage at Bergamot Station, Building T1, 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404
Cost: $20-25, Sundays Pay What You Can Discount Tickets
Info: www.citygarage.org

A Christmas Twist
Combine A Christmas Carol with Oliver Twist and throw in a little Orphan Annie and you get SeaGlass Theatre's A Christmas Twist at the Victory Theatre Center.
When: Nov 10 - Dec 16, 2012
Where: Victory Theatre Center, 3326 West Victory Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505
Cost: $30 ($10 CSUN Students), Discount Tickets
Info: seaglasstheatre.org

Bob Baker's Holiday Spectacular
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater puts on an annual seasonal puppet show. This year Bob Baker's Holiday Spectacular is back with Santa and his elves and dancing Hanukkah candles.
When: Nov 10, 2012 - January 9, 2013
Where: The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st St. Los Angeles, California 90026
Cost: $20
Info: www.bobbakermarionettes.com
Read Guide Review

The SantaLand Diaries
Paolo Andino takes over humorist and NPR commentator David Sedaris' one-man show about the author’s experiences as an unemployed writer taking a job as an elf at Macy’s.
When: Nov 16 - Dec 16, 2012
Where: Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd, Second Floor Hollywood, CA 90028
Cost: $25, Discount Tickets
Info: www.theblank.com

GUIDE PICK: A Coney Island Christmas
The Geffen Playhouse in Westwood presents the latest work by Donald Margulies. This heart-warming comedy tells the tale of a young Jewish girl cast to play Jesus in her school's Christmas pageant. It's told from the perspective of her much older self retelling the story to her great-grandchildren complete with singing and dancing and a Coney Island skyline.
When: Nov 20 - Dec 30, 2012
Where: Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
Cost: $35-70, check the website for discounts in conjunction with dinner or skating at the W Hotel Westwood.
Info: geffenplayhouse.com

GUIDE PICK: Second City's A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens
This hysterical new production from the famed improv comedy group and some of its famed alumni tweaks the holiday classic with the insertion of anachronistic characters and situations from the Three Kinds to the Peanuts cartoon characters. Audience contributions make it a new show every night. Cast includes Frank Caeti (MADtv), Larry Joe Campbell (According to Jim), Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons), Amanda Blake Davis (Second City Does Dallas at the Dallas Theatre Center), Brian Stepanek (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody), Jean Villepique (Up All Night) and Ron West (3rd Rock From the Sun). Not recommended for children under 13.
When: Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2012
Where: Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 (W. Washington Blvd at Duquesne Ave)
Cost: $20-60, Discount Tickets
Info: www.centertheatregroup.org

Trolls Stole the North Pole, A Family Friendly Musical
When trolls divert critical toy-making supplies to the South Poll, Santa sends Mrs Claus, the elves and Randolf the reindeer to recover the goods and save Christmas in this kid-friendly romp, suitable for age 4 to adult.
When: Nov 24, 2012 - Jan 6, 2013
Where: Secret Rose Theatre, 11246 Magnolia Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601
Cost: $12, Discount Tickets
Info: www.secretrose.com

It's a Wonderful Life Radio Play
The Missing Pieces Theatre presents a staged version of a radio play as an interesting way to have a small cast bring dozens of characters from this classic story to life.
When: Nov 30 - Dec 15, 2012, Fri-Sun
Where: Missing Piece Theatre, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Cost: $25, Discount Tickets
Info: www.themissingpiecetheatre.com

The Snow Queen
Loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, this world premiere "The Snow Queen follows the misadventures of Widow Twanky and her charges, Kai and Gerda, as they battle the evil Snow Queen and the rather bumbling forces of darkness" all in the English Panto style.
When: Nov 30 - Dec 23, 2012
Where: Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Cost: $20-25, Discount Tickets
Info: www.fremontcentretheatre.com

The Christmas Present at Sacred Fools
Sacred Fools Theatre Company is presenting The Christmas Present is a dark British comedy about a lonely fellow who gets himself a room and a hooker for Christmas with unexpected consequences.
When: Dec 4-23, 2012
Where: Sacred Fools Theater Company, 660 N. Heliotrope Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90004
Cost:
Info: www.sacredfools.org

GUIDE PICK: Bob's Holiday Office Party
An irreverent LA tradition now in its 16th season. Current affairs keep this quirky office party in a Nebraska insurance office fresh.
When: Dec 6-22, 2012, Thu-Sun
Where: Pico Playhouse Theater, 10508 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Cost: $20 Thu, Fr & Sun, $25 Sat
Parking: Allow time for street parking.
Info: www.bobsofficeparty.com, (323) 960-5774
Note: Call (323) 962-1632 in advance for wheelchair access; sign up at Plays411.com to hear about ticket discounts.
Read Guide Review.

Stepping Out
A holiday comedy built around a tap dancing class at an adult community center, where the students are preparing for their upcoming holiday production.
When: Fri-Sun, Dec 7, 2012 - Jan 20, 2013
Where: Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Cost: $TBA
Info: www.thegrouprep.com

Winter Wonderettes: Sequel to The Marvelous Wonderettes, from Musical Theatre West
As a follow up to The Marvelous Wonderettes, A retro holiday party at the local hardware store finds the Wonderettes singing 60s holiday hits from Santa Baby to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.
When: Dec 7-16, 2012
Where: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard La Mirada, CA 90638
Cost: $20-70, Discount Tickets
Info: www.lamiradatheatre.com

The Fruitcake Follies at the Cavern Club
A campy cabaret show fit for the 70s at the Cavern Theater under Casita Del Campo restaurant in Silverlake.
When: Dec 7-16, 2012
Where: Cavern Club Theater at Casitas Del Campo, 1920 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Cost: $25
Info: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/292658

In Heat In Hollywood Ho Ho Ho!
David Trudell's irreverent one-man show based on his real-life antics in Hollywood is a project of Katselas Theatre's INKubator program.
When: Dec 8 - 23, 2012, previews Dec 1-2
Where: Skylight Theatre Complex, 1816 N. Vermont, LA 90027
Cost: $25
Info: /www.katselastheatre.com, 702 KTC-TKTS (702-582-8587)

A Christmas Carol at A Noise Within
The classic theatre company A Noise Within is performing an adaptation of A Christmas Carol that uses only Charles Dickens' original words, but adds some new music by composer Ego Plum.
When: Dec 8-23, 2012, previews Dec 1-7
Where: A Noise Within, 3352 East Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Cost: $40-52, Dec 6 Pay What You Can, Discount Tickets
Info: www.anoisewithin.org

A Christmas Carol at Long Beach Playhouse
Long Beach Playhouse is going the traditional route with their version of A Christmas Carol.
When: Dec 8-23, 2012
Where: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90804
Cost: $12-24 Discount Tickets
Info: lbplayhouse.org

It's a Wonderful Life at Long Beach Playhouse
The feel-good Christmas play is being presented on the Studio Stage at Long Beach Playhouse.
When: Dec 8-16, 2012
Where: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90804
Cost: $15
Info: lbplayhouse.org

Nativity! The Musical
Nativity! The Musical is an annual family-friendly vaudevillian take on the holy birth presented by the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Burbank.
When: Dec 13-16, 2012
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 542 N. Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91505
Cost: $8, $5 students with ID
Info: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/292374

A Snow White Christmas - A Family Musical
This modern musical adaptation of Snow White is in the style of a British Panto, incorporating current events into the classic fairy tale. Neil Patrick Harris prerecorded the image and voice of the Magic Mirror. The show features songs from Lady Gaga, Queen and Michael Jackson.
When: Dec 13-30, 2012
Where: The Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101
Cost: $22-$100, Discount Tickets
Info: www.pasadenaplayhouse.org

A Sinatra holiday Bash
Four singers perform Sinatra standards and holiday favorites at El Portal Theatre.
When: Dec 13-31, 2012 including a New Year's Eve party
Where: El Portal Theatre, 11206 Weddington St, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Cost: $35-60, New Year's Eve - $60-$120
Info: www.elportaltheatre.com/events.html

Seasons Greetings: A Disaster in Four Acts by Automata LA
This "multidimensional musical puppet adventure involving faith, freight and fruitcake" follows a family on a trip down the Los Angeles River to go get their pagan-revival-sustainable xmas tree from a barge in Long Beach, which could be derailed by natural disaster, or is it time travel?
When: Dec 14-23, 2012
Where: 504 Chung King Court, Los Angeles, CA, CA 90012 (Chinatown)
Cost: $12-15
Info: www.automata-la.org, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/296482

The Nativity- What the Donkey Saw
Looking for a hilarious panto? Theatre Banshee is presenting an irreverent Irish panto spin on The Nativity story. This seasonal comedy looks for answers to some big questions like: why didn't Joseph book a room in advance? and who looked after the sheep while the shepherds were wetting the baby's head?
When: Sunday Dec 16th, 2012
Where: Theatre Banshee, 3435 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Cost: $20, Tickets
Info: wildgeesesf.com

A Christmas Carol Radio Play
Long Beach Shakespeare Company will present the radio version of the holiday classic, where actors perform standing at microphones with no blocking.
When: Dec 23, 2012
Where: Richard Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Cost: $$10
Parking: street parking.
Info: www.lbshakespeare.org

You can find discounted tickets to many of these and other holiday performances at goldstar.com, Stubdog.com, Plays411.net or LAStageTix.com

This information was accurate at time of publication. Please check the production websites for any last minute changes.

More Holiday Programs:
The Nutcracker around LA
Christmas Concerts and Caroling in LA
The LA County Holiday Celebration

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