Theatre

Generations have celebrated the holidays with Ebenezer Scrooge, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon, in Charles Dickens’ timeless classic A Christmas Carol. South County Repertory Theatre (SCR) invites you to join Mr. Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Cratchit Family, the Fezziwigs and, of course, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come this holiday season.

For 40 years, SCR’s A Christmas Carol brings Victorian London to Costa Mesa and audiences into the life of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. His timeless journey of discovery brings him to understand the true meaning of happiness in this iconic story of redemption. The play, adapted by Jerry Patch and directed by Hisa Takakuwa, fills the stage with festive music, joyful dancing and the heartwarming story of one magical, life-changing night. 

Audiences are in for a treat again this year as Richard Doyle, one the most beloved actors in SCR’s 59-year history, takes the stage as Mr. Scrooge in this masterpiece. Mr. Doyle is locally known for being cast in 131 SCR performances to date (including 37 of the 40 performances of A Christmas Carol) and globally known as Mr. Gaines, Woody Harrelson’s father-in-law on Cheers.

The holiday season officially began on November 30th with one of the most celebrated Christmas shows and traditional holiday nights out. From the first “Bah humbug” to the final “Wassail,” this timeless classic will rekindle anyone’s holiday spirit.

For tickets and more, click here.

Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood welcomes the 2024 holiday season with a new comedy, Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol by Arthur M. Jolly. Mrs. Dilber, Scrooge’s maltreated housekeeper in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, meets Marley and the Spirits of Christmas before they haunt Scrooge and sets off on a past, present, and future adventure of her own in this subversive and hilarious reimagining of the holiday classic. Directed by Michael Houston, the cast features Bita Arefnia, Thomas Ashworth, Lara Blanco, Cassandra Carmona, Jennifer DeRosa, Raymond Donehey, Kyle Elzey, Julieta Gerlein, Carlos Gomez, Jr., Barbera Ann Howard, Robert Jolly, Brieyonna Monét, Sarah Nilsen, Bree Pavey, Rosie Ryden, Matthew Scheel, and Christopher Leon Simms. I’m guessing that if you’ve never read Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, you’ve never heard of Mrs. Dilber. This is a great time to meet her — she’s a hoot!Performances run Thursday through Sunday through Sunday, December 22 only!

To start the new year, Loft will present the fourth production of its 2024–2025 season, the world premiere of Something You Don’t Know, directed by Natasha Renae Potts (opening January 17). This companyhas won several Valley Theatre Awards, two Ovation Awards, received five BroadwayWorld Award nominations along with a combined 28 Valley Theatre Award nominations in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Admission for all shows is Donate What You Want. How can you go wrong? And Merry Christmas!

For tickets and more, click here.

Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) presents her reimagined version of Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas story in Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. This award-winning adaptation takes audiences on an exciting journey with Allen’s retelling as a modern musical. The story opens on Christmas Eve and at the Johnson’s grand party. Kara Johnson receives a present, a Nutcracker doll filled with hot chocolate.

As the festivities end, the family sleeps, and the adventure begins when the Nutcracker comes alive. Three wise-cracking mice, Harvey, Schmink and Buckey guide the journey visiting incredible lands, including Candy Cane Land, Egypt, the Indian Rainforest, Bollywood, Jazzland, and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. The adventures are accompanied by a musical score infusing the classic piece with a modern musical style and choreography, including jazz, modern dance, hip-hop and ballet. Hot Chocolate Nutcracker includes new compositions by artists such as Arturo Sandoval and Mariah Carey.

Ticket buyers can add the Fairy Queen Tea, a beautifully catered tea, hot cocoa bar, cast member meet-and-greet, storytelling, surprise guests, a themed photo opportunity and a giveaway. Additionally, Girl Scouts can earn a custom patch while learning about the performing arts at the Patch Workshop.

The Debbie Allen Dance Academy presents this event with the Annenberg Foundation and the Rhimes Family Foundation at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Four performances begin Thursday, December 5, 2024.

For tickets and information, click here.

Comedian Monica Piper brings her unique perspective on American Jewish identity to life in the one-woman show, “Not That Jewish,” from December 12-29 at The Braid in Santa Monica. This autobiographical performance is hilarious and deeply moving, offering audiences a glimpse into Piper’s life journey through the lens of humor and resilience. Raised in a secular Jewish household in the Bronx, Piper’s experience reflects a cultural rather than religious connection to Judaism, emphasizing heart, humor, and meaningful actions over strict observance.

Throughout the show, Piper shares her ups and downs, including two divorces, a dramatic career shift from teacher to comedian and writer, adopting a son at 41, and battling breast cancer. Her storytelling reveals how Jewish identity can be personal and discovered in unexpected moments, such as through her father’s storytelling or her grandmother’s funny antics.

Amid rising global antisemitism and cultural discussions, “Not That Jewish” becomes a universal narrative about identity. Piper’s comedy transcends religious boundaries, illustrating how laughter can help navigate life’s challenges. The show has been praised for its honesty and humor, with The New York Times describing it as “Funny… delicious… and a gem,” and Fran Drescher calling it “funny, honest, and touching.”

The Braid, known for producing stories grounded in Jewish culture, provides an ideal venue for the production. The organization has inspired audiences by connecting them through shared stories and experiences since 2010.

For more, click here.