Tis the Season

A Holiday Theater Roundup

Published in the Weekly Volcano, Nov. 25, 2015

Liam Loughridge as Raphie in A Christmas Story at Tacoma Little Theatre. Photo by Dennis K Photography.

December is upon us, and that means a smorgasbord of Christmas stories at area theaters, but not so much the tried and true holiday sentimentality that’s usually trotted out. There are some twists on the usual holiday fare this year, including a holiday whodunit and the traditional A Christmas Carol presented as a one-man show.

The holiday whodunit is The Game’s Afoot! Or Holmes for the Holidays, a comedic murder mystery at Olympia Little Theatre written by Ken Ludwig, the celebrated writer of Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo, directed by Kathryn Beall, 7:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 1:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27-Dec. 20,Olympia Little Theatre, 1925 Miller Ave., NE, Olympia, http://olympialittletheater.org/.

Centerstage in Federal Way once again thrills audiences of all ages with a traditional British Panto, this one a repeat of their hugely popular and outlandish version of Sleeping Beauty, with rocking popular music, and screamingly wicked humor aimed at children and adults, through Dec. 20The Knutzen Family Theatre

3200 SW Dash Point Road, Federal  Way, http://www.centerstagetheatre.com/.

Tacoma’s exciting new fringe company Tacoma Actors Repertory Theatre is producing A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story as a one-man show using Charles Dickens’ original script and performance notes narrated by Byron Tidwell. There will be four performances only at 2 and 8 p.m., Nov. 19 and 20, Tacoma Armory, 715 South 11th St., Tacoma. Tickets are available online at www.tacomarep.org.

Korja Giles (as Lucy) and  Isaac McKenzie Sullivan (as Charlie Brown) in A Charlie Brown Christmas at Olympia Family Theater. Photo credit: Dinea DePhoto

Olympia Family Theater is doing the ever-popular A Charlie Brown Christmas 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27- Dec. 20 (Dec. 20 matinee sold out). 612 4th Ave E., Olympia, www.olyft.org.

For something completely different, The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, presents David Sedaris' irreverent holiday one-man show, The Santaland Diaries about a starving actor in New York City who reluctantly takes a job as an elf at Macy's. This one is recommended for ages 16 and older due to mature themes and language.  It runs Dec. 3, 6, 10 and 13 at 8 p.m. at Tacoma Musical Playhouse. TMP is also doing A Charlie Brown Christmas, Dec. 19-24. 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, https://tmp.org/.

But tradition can’t be ignored, and to prove it, Tacoma Little Theatreis proud to present the holiday show that sends everyone right back to their most prized childhood memories, A Christmas Story, Jean Shepherd's touching and hilarious tale of Ralphi’s quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. You know the story, it’s the one with the tongue to the lightpole and the lamp with the lady leg. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 210 North I St., Tacoma, http://www.tacomalittletheatre.com/.

And finally, Harlequin Productions is doing its 20th installment of their original, locally written and hugely popular Stardust Christmas series. This one, The Stardust Christmas Dazzle, is a popular music extravaganza set in Manhattan’s Stardust Club in 1959. Nov. 27-Dec. 31 State Theater, 202 E. 4th Ave., http://www.harlequinproductions.org/