HOLIDAY STAGINGS

Here is a sampling of holiday-themed theater productions in and around Orange County:

Thursday

A 10-Minute Christmas (The Theatre District, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, [714] 435-4043). The New Voices Playwrights Workshop presents a passel of 10-minute plays with a holiday theme, including “Delusions of Manger,” by Amity Westcott; “Bittersweet Smell of Success,” by Linda Whitmore; “The Christmas Gremlin,” by John Arnau; “O Little Town,” by Tom Swimm; “Santa Baby,” by Christopher Trela; “Jack’s Christmas,” by Stephen Ludwig; and four others. 8 p.m. $5-$10. Also Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 7 p.m.

1940s Big Band Christmas (Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, [714] 990-7722). A nine-piece big band and singers perform swinging holiday favorites in a revue re-creating a radio broadcast from the 1940s, complete with vintage commercials and readings from letters sending holiday greetings to “the boys overseas.” Today, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. $7-$15. Also Dec. 18, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Yorba Linda Forum, 4175 Fairmont Blvd., Yorba Linda. $10-$15. (714) 779-1932.

Friday

The Lutz Radio Theatre Holiday Show of 1947 (Drama Lab, Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, [714] 432-5880). A revue of holiday skits and music re-creating the 1947 Christmas Eve broadcast of the “Lux Radio Theatre,” a popular national radio program of the ‘40s and early ‘50s. Fri.-Sat. and Dec. 17-20 at 7 p.m.; Sun. and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. $5-$9.

A Shakespearean Christmas: A Midwinter Night’s Dream (Shakespeare Orange County at Chapman University’s Waltmar Theatre, Center Street and Palm Avenue, Orange, [714] 744-7016). Revue of songs, anecdotes, poetry, notions and stories of a simpler time, including pieces by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Clement C. Moore, Robert Frost, e.e. cummings and Ogden Nash, as well as traditional carols and personal remembrances by cast members. Fri., Sat. and Mon. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 3 p.m. $16-$20, includes dessert.

Dec. 20

Another Christmas Carol (Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, [714] 990-7722). Carbon Copy productions presents a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, in which the CEO of a Fortune 500 company is forced to face the realities, and the ruins, of his success by a trio of angels on Christmas Eve. Dec. 20 at 2:30 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 7 p.m. $5.

It’s a Wonderful Life (University High School, 4771 Campus Drive, Irvine, [714] 832-3063). Irvine Adult School presents the holiday favorite, about a man who gets the chance to see how the world would have turned out had he never been born. Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 21 at 1:30 and 7 p.m. $6-$8.

Christmas at the Cabrillo (Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, [714] 492-0465). The San Clemente Community Theatre presents its annual holiday revue. Every Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. through Dec. 21. Also Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. $6-$12.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales (Laguna Playhouse at the Moulton Theater, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, [714] 497-2787). Jeremy Brooks and Adrian Mitchell’s musical adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ story about his childhood experiences at holiday time. Every Tue.-Fri. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 2 and 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 23. Also Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. $20-$35.

A Christmas Carol (South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 708-5555). Jerry Patch’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, about miserly Scrooge and his redemption by the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future. Every Tue.-Fri. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sun. at noon and 4 p.m. through Dec. 20. Also Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 24 at noon and 4 p.m. and Dec. 26 and 27 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. $19-$36.

Christmas at the Depot (La Habra Depot Theatre, 311 S. Euclid St., [562] 690-3321). Revue of songs, sights and sounds of the season. Every Thur., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 20. $8-$10.

Dear Santa (Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, [714] 489-8082). The South Orange County Community Theatre’s Youth Conservatory presents a collection of holiday skits and songs. Fri. at 7 p.m.; Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. $5. Ends Sun.

Follow the Star (Fountain Valley United Methodist Church, 18225 Bushard St., Fountain Valley, [714] 962-2593). Musical adaptation of Henry Van Dyke’s classic “The Story of the Other Wise Man.” Sat. and Sun. at 7 p.m. Free. Ends Sun.

The Glory of Christmas (Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, [714] 544-5679). The annual Nativity extravaganza, with more than 200 performers, flying angels and sheep, goats, camels and other animals, telling the story of Christ’s birth. Today, Fri. and Tue.-Dec. 19 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Sun. at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.; Sat. and Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 26-30 at 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. $15-$30.

Greetings (Vanguard Theatre Ensemble, 699 S. State College Blvd., Fullerton, [714] 526-8007). Comedy by Tom Dudzick about the hullabaloo that ensues when the son of a conservative Roman Catholic family brings his Jewish, atheist fiancee home to meet the folks on Christmas Eve. Today-Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. $13-$15. Ends Sun.

Christmas One-Acts (Laguna Niguel Playhouse at the Laguna Design Center, 23811 Aliso Creek Road, [714] 425-1771). Children’s Theatre Productions presents O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” and Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.” Every Fri. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun. at 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 21. $10.

Here’s Love (Buena Park Youth Musical Theatre at the Buena Park High School performing arts complex, 8833 Academy Drive, [714] 562-3844). Meredith Willson’s musical, based on “Miracle on 34th Street,” in which Kris Kringle must prove in court that he is Santa Claus. Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. at 2:30 p.m. $5. Ends Sun.

Compiled by Ken Williams