In December, the holiday decorations range from spectacular to outrageous, the food is plentiful and decadent, and the weather is—well, still Southern California. But what many of us most appreciate throughout much of December is the feeling of fellowship and good cheer, which somehow dissipates just before New Year’s Day. These five productions, however, might keep the good feels flowing into 2019. That’s why we’re betting these shows, listed in order of closing date, are worth your theatergoing time and money this month.
Elf: The Musical
Musical Theatre West at Carpenter Center, through Dec 9
We’ll admit it: We were initially kind of bah-humbug on the idea of this one. But the 2003 film is improved upon here, musicalized by book writers Bob Martin (Slings and Arrows, The Drowsy Chaperone) and Thomas Meehan (Hairspray), with score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (Aladdin, The Wedding Singer), bringing to the stage the story of Buddy, a human who grew up as an elf but who now must navigate the real world. He’s a pesky, manic man-child, but his purity of spirit enchants everyone around him—the way this big splashy show, reminiscent of the Golden Age of musicals, enchants its audience. Matt Owen stars, Peggy Hickey directs.
6200 Atherton, Long Beach (562-856-1999). Wed at 7pm; Thu at 2, 7pm; Fri at 7pm; Sat at 2, 7pm; Sun at 1, 6pm. $20–$117.
A Christmas Carol
A Noise Within, Dec 1–23
Here it is, the granddaddy of holiday shows, the famous classic. A Noise Within gives A Christmas Carol its due, in the company’s seventh-annual production of it, performed by many of our city’s finest classically trained actors. Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott direct the Dickens story, adapted by Elliott for this stage, featuring Ego Plum’s original music and Angela Balogh Calin’s exhilarating costuming.
Different this year, ANW offers a “relaxed performance,” Saturday, Dec 8, at 11am: The performance is edited to under an hour, light and sound levels are adjusted to create a sensory-friendly environment, no sudden sounds or quick light changes are included, and the audience is allowed to move around and talk during the performance.
3352 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena (626-356-3100). See ANW website for repertory schedule. $20–$84. Pay what you can, Friday, Dec 14 at 8pm.
A Christmas Carol with Charles Dickens
Independent Shakespeare Company at Atwater Crossing, Dec 6–23
Not to be confused with the show titled Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (one of our November best bets, playing this month, too). And though the talents involved are equally stellar, here we have the chance to see the story up close, as David Melville displays his classically trained, beautifully polished craft, recreating for us the famous writer as he tells his classic tale of Christmastime redemption, also performing the many iconic characters, in the intimacy of Independent Shakespeare Company’s indoor theater space.
3191 Casitas Ave, Ste 130 (818-710-6306). Thu–Sat at 7:30pm, Sun at 2pm (no perf Dec 16, added perf Sat Dec 23 at 7:30pm). $25–$35. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Love Actually Live
For the Record at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, Dec 4–31
Relive your favorite scenes from the 2003 film, through live music, dance, reenactments and video in a production that reportedly “blurs the line between performer and audience member.” (If we could blur the line between us and Colin Firth, that would be cool. And if we could blur the line between us and Alan Rickman, alas, that would be the coolest ever.) Meantime, enjoy renditions of the soundtrack that includes pop hits by Otis Redding, the Pointer Sisters, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, the Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and more. The cast here includes Rumer Willis and Rex Smith.
9390 N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills (310-746-4000). Tue-Fri at 7:30pm; Sat at 2, 7:30pm; Sun at 2, 7pm (no perfs Dec 24, 25; added perf Dec 31, 8:30pm) $35–$125.
Come From Away
Ahmanson Theatre, through Jan 6
Never mentioning Christmas but completely embodying its spirit, this is the one show we’re sure will appeal to everyone who sees it. On the morning of 9/11, nearly 7,000 airline passengers of various nationalities, faiths and temperaments were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. The story of the Canadians and the frightened travelers they fed, housed and comforted is the subject of this uplifting, joy-filled 2013 musical, with Irish-influenced score by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Christopher Ashley and performed by 12 actors playing dozens of the memorable people involved.
135 N Grand Ave (213-972-4400). Tue–Fri at 8pm; Sat at 2, 8pm; Sun at 1, 6:30pm (see theater website for holiday schedule). $30–$135.