Whatever the season, it’s always a great time to go out and enjoy one or more of these fabulous shows playing currently in our local theaters!
Covid protocols continue to be dictated by each individual venue, so bring a face mask to wear during the show in case the venue requires it. It’s a good idea to check with the theater before you attend a show to find out what their current policy is.
The information presented in this column is the latest available at the time of printing, however you should verify it with the theater to confirm it before making definite plans. Here are the shows that have announced opening dates for this month, or are already running:
OPENING
“DIE HEART: The Director’s Cut” This holiday season, the Troubies leave no stone unturned and no glass un-shot – as they blow the roof off the Colony Theatre and hold the audience hostage with the classic Christmas film Die Hard combined with the music of Heart – in a newly revised version of DIE HEART: The Director’s Cut with new songs, previously deleted scenes left on the rehearsal room floor and actual director’s commentary! Don’t spend the holidays “Alone,” run barefoot to the Colony Theatre and see the Troubies “Kick it Out,” but remember, don’t be late-comers or we’ll go “Crazy on You!” Hans Gruber and his “Bara-crewda” will be gunning for laughs in Burbank as they take on that tempestuous “Magic Man,” John McClane in this can’t-miss Troubie extravaganza! Written and directed by Matt Walker, with music by Ryan Whyman, it runs December 5 through December 21 at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. For tickets call 818-558-7000 or visit www.troubie.com.
“A DIY Holiday Musical starring Rex & Friends” a remarkable performance ensemble of uplifting neurodiverse and disabled artists led by musician Rex-Lewis Clack, the 28-year-old blind and autistic pianist and vocalist hailed as a musical savant. This spirited, joyful musical celebrates creativity, community, and the magic of the holiday season featuring Christmas and Hanukkah favorites performed live, both a cappella and acoustic, with humor, storytelling, DIY stage magic, and audience sing-alongs! Written and directed by Laurie Grant, with music by Laurie Grant and Devin Weitz, it runs December 5 through December 7 at the Blue Door in Culver City. For tickets visit www.artsupla.org.
“Frost my Life” Equal parts irreverent and heartwarming, this new holiday musical comedy delivers nonstop laughs, catchy original songs, and just enough Christmas spirit to melt even the frostiest hearts. It’s a festive fever dream filled with small-town charm, big-city burnout, and a whole lot of yuletide mayhem. Julie, a “high-powered marketing exec” whose life falls apart faster than Santa’s sleigh on black ice, flees Los Angeles after losing her dream promotion. She resigns herself to visiting her mother for Christmas in Small Town, Ohio. There, she meets a handsome, widowed dollmaker and his knife-juggling daughter, and things take a delightfully chaotic turn. Cue love songs, Christmas clichés, death by reindeer, demonic dolls, and a Greek chorus that won’t stop singing carols about capitalism. A send-up of every holiday movie you’ve ever hated to love to loved to hate, FROST MY LIFE is a frosted cocktail of camp, chaos, and Christmas cheer. Expect pop-infused show tunes, inappropriate jokes, absurd twists, and a surprisingly sweet message about love, loss, and letting go. The show runs December 5 through December 21 at the Wisteria Theater in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-237-4643 or visit www.wisteriatheater.com.
“Mrs. Christmas” this heartwarmingly irreverent, laugh-out-loud musical offers a relatable holiday experience for adults seeking fresh, festive entertainment—just don’t bring the whole family! It explores the journey of a woman who inherits the holiday traditions of her recently deceased, estranged mother. Known in their small town as Mrs. Christmas, her mother left behind a legacy of festive cheer and complex emotions for her daughter. Through an evening of song and over-the-top stories, the daughter navigates the complexities of their relationship, delving into themes of tradition, loss, legacy, and questioning how we begin to heal the complicated relationships with our families. Written by Tom Jacobson, and directed by Karole Foreman, it runs December 5 through December 21 at the Aurora Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets visit www.buytickets.at/signalhillsandboxinc.
“A Snow White Christmas” Experience the magic of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS! This festive panto from the Lythgoe Family blends timeless fairy-tale charm with dazzling pop tunes – from Lady Gaga to Bruno Mars – in a laughter-packed, interactive journey. With Muddles the jester guiding the fun – complete with zany audience banter – and a wicked Queen to boo and hiss, every moment is a riot of song, slapstick, and sparkle. Add in awe-inspiring dancing, the playful puppetry of the dwarfs, and sing-along moments perfect for all ages, and you’ve got a joyous holiday treat. Don’t miss the mirth, magic, and merry-making—grab your tickets now for a Christmas full of enchantment! Written by Kris Lythgoe, with music by Michael Sobie, and directed by Bonnie Lythgoe, it runs December 7 through December 28 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
“Holiday Soirée & Cabaret” celebrating theater, music and community. Written and directed by Imani Branch, it runs December 12 through December 14 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com.
“Kinky Boots” Based on true events, KINKY BOOTS follows the journey of two people with nothing in common… or so they think. Charlie Price reluctantly inherits his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As Charlie and Lola work together to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they realized and discover that you change the world when you change your mind. Written by Harvey Fierstein, with music by Cyndi Lauper, and directed by Jerry Mitchell, it runs December 12 through December 14 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets visit www.BroadwayInThousandOaks.com.
“Santasia” This Los Angeles sensation and Off-Broadway New York hit critically acclaimed musical sketch comedy show features Broadway musical parodies, classic Rankin and Bass inspired Claymation movies, and heartfelt sentiment. The popular and celebrated live stage show has run in Los Angeles for the past 25 years, playing to Sold Out audiences. Written by Brandon Loeser and Shaun Loeser, and directed by Shaun Loeser, it runs December 12 through December 27 at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. For tickets visit www.santasia.com.
“A Sleighful of Songs” Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with songs made famous by Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, Eartha Kitt, Jessy J, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Paul McCartney, the Jackson 5, and more…Giddyup, let’s go! Featuring the same amazing cast from The Age of Aquarius, including Constance Mellors, Scottie Nevil, Meg Lin, David Mingrino, Anibal Silveyra, Michael Van Duzer, Donald Moore, Harleigh Ford, Cody Kelepolo, Roni Williams, Auriana Chisholm, Vertreace Sanders, Preston Simon, and Aaron Gillis. Written by John A. Goux, and directed by Victoria Lavan, it runs December 12 through December 14 at the Theatre West in Studio City. For tickets visit www.theatrewest.org/tickets.
“The Wonderful Winter of Oz” is a holiday version of America’s favorite modern fairy tale, in the style of a traditional British family panto. On Christmas Eve, Dorothy gets swept away by a ‘freak’ Kansas blizzard and lands in a world of munchkins and witches. With songs from Lady Gaga to Earth, Wind and Fire, THE WONDERFUL WINTER OF OZ is the perfect family experience at the holiday time. No rainbows will be hurt in this production. Written by Kris Lythgoe, and directed by Becky Lythgoe, it runs December 12 through December 28 at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets visit www.TOpanto.com.
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters enroute to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, “White Christmas,” is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages. Written by Irving Berlin, with music by Irving Berlin, and directed by Actors Repertory Theatre of Simi, it runs December 18 through December 21 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-508-4200 or visit www.elportaltheatre.com.
CONTINUING
“Cinderella Magical Christmas” In Cinderella Magical Christmas, the stepmother is not the stereotypical villain, but a woman wrestling with misplaced anger, and the stepsisters are not grotesque caricatures, but teenagers finding their way. The production retains the magic of the pumpkin carriage, the stroke of midnight, and the glass slipper—but it also invites us to reconsider family dynamics, identity, and forgiveness in a gently modern light. Written and directed by Terry Hill, with music by Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, and Jerome Kern, it runs through December 7 at the Helen Borgers Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets visit www.lbshakespeare.org.
“Heisenberg” is a love story of two people, Alex (Paul Eiding) and Georgie (Juls Hoover) who have relinquished the possibility of ever truly being known. Through observing and sharing space and time, they alter each other’s trajectories and evolve away from the safety of stasis. Written by Simon Stephens, and directed by Cameron Watson, it runs through December 21 at the Skylight Theatre in Los Feliz. For tickets visit www.bravespaceproductions.ludus.com.
“Madam Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Musical” The annual award-winning holiday musical is back for 2025! This Broadway-style musical takes an original twist on Charles Dickens’ famous tale! Madam Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Musical recounts the story of Madam Eleanore Scrooge, a miserly spinster, who is visited by the ghost of her former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. This unique holiday adaptation written by Justin Patrick Meyer features a Broadway-style musical score by Hollywood film composer Chris Thomas; over-the-top costume, ghost and creature FX by costume designer Tanya Cyr; and stars rock vocalist Stephanie Hodgdon as Madam Scrooge. Written by Justin Patrick Meyer, with music by Chris Thomas, and directed by Melissa Meyer, it runs through December 21 at the Nocturne Theatre in Glendale. For tickets call 818-839-0984 or visit www.thenocturnetheatre.com.
“Bob Baker’s Nutcracker” The enchanting production – a cherished yuletide tradition for Angelenos of all age – features more than 100 handcrafted puppets, including original characters from the ballet, such as Clara, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, along with many of Baker’s own whimsical creations. Written and directed by Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, it runs through January 4 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.
“A Christmas Carol” SCR marks the anniversary with enhancements designed to spread holiday joy, including a hot chocolate bar at every performance with 45th anniversary souvenir mugs and visits from Santa Claus on most weeknight performances. Other surprises are forthcoming. Written by Charles Dickens, adapted by Jerry Patch, and directed by Hisa Takakuwa, it runs November 29 through December 28 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets “Bob Baker’s Nutcracker” The enchanting production – a cherished yuletide tradition for Angelenos of all age – features more than 100 handcrafted puppets, including original characters from the ballet, such as Clara, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, along with many of Baker’s own whimsical creations. Written and directed by Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, it runs through January 4 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.