Theaters offer holiday fare: traditional and not

Highlights: Yes, you can see "A Christmas Carol" this year on a Seattle-area stage (or a dozen of them!).

Yes, there's a theatrical version of the holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (at the Evergreen Family Theatre in Redmond, and in Taproot Theatre's "It's a Wonderful Improvised Life").

And "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" — Renton Civic Theater stages that one for you.

But this holiday season, you can find shows slightly less in the holiday mold, including a fine, ongoing run of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" at Village Theatre, below; the return of comedy music duo Dos Fallopia at Theatre Off Jackson's irreverent "The Dos Fallopia Xmas Hour (and a-Half)"; and Seattle's traditional nontraditional show, "Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play," above, at Intiman Theatre.

Continuing shows

"Peter Pan"

Ends Dec. 6 Whidbey Playhouse, 730 S.E. Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor, $16 (360-679-2237 or www.whidbeyplayhouse.com).

"Plaid Tidings (Forever Plaid)"

Ends Dec. 7 Poulsbo Players at the Jewel Box Theatre, 225 Iverson St., Poulsbo, $12-$14 (360-779-9688 or www.jewelboxpoulsbo.org).

"Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas"

Ends Dec. 27 Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way N.E., Seattle; $8-$10 (206-781-3879 or www.wingitpresents.com).

"Stardust for Christmas"

Ends 12/31 Harlequin Productions at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia; $34-$38 (360-786-0151 or www.harlequinproductions.org).

"Beauty and the Beast"

Ends Feb. 1 Through Jan. 4 at the Village Theatre, Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, $22-$58, and Jan. 9-Feb. 1 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett, $16-$51 (425-392-2202 or www.villagetheatre.org).

Opening today

"A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol"

Ends Dec. 21 Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle; $12 (tickets available at the door or www.unexpectedproductions.org).

"A Christmas Carol"

Ends Dec. 27 ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle; $22-$47 (206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org).

"The Christmas Foundling"

Ends Dec. 27 Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle; $26-$55 (206-781-9707 or www.taproot.org).

"Dear Santa"

Ends Dec. 21 Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 North I St., Tacoma; $16-$20 (253-272-2281 or www.tacomalittletheatre.com).

The Dina Martina Christmas Show

Ends Dec. 31 Re-Bar, 1114 Howell St., Seattle, $20 (800-838-3006 or www.dinamartina.com).

"Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol"

Ends Dec. 21 Burien Little Theatre, Southwest 146th Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest, Burien, $15-$18 (206-242-5180 or www.burienlittletheatre.com).

"Plaid Tidings"

Ends Dec. 23 ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., Seattle, $10-$32 (206-938-0339 or www.artswest.org).

"Scrooge, the Musical"

Ends Dec. 21 Capital Playhouse, 612 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, $25-$37 (360-943-2744 or www.capitalplayhouse.com).

"The Slipper and the Rose"

Ends Dec. 21 Tacoma Musical Theatre, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, $18-$25 (253-565-6867 or www.tmp.org).

Coming soon

"It's a Wonderful Life"

Nov. 29-Dec. 7 ManeStage Theatre Company at the Sumner Performing Arts Center, 1707 Main St., Sumner; $10-$14 (253-447-7645 or www.manestagetheatre.com).

"Aladdin — An English Panto"

Nov. 29-Dec. 21 Nov. 29-Dec. 14 at Knutzen Family Theater, 3200 S.W. Dash Point Road, Federal Way; $8-$25 (253-661-1444 or www.centerstagetheatre.com), Dec. 18-21 at Theatre on the Square, 915 Broadway, Tacoma; $22-$34 (253-591-5894 or www.broadwaycenter.org).

"Island of Misfits"

Nov. 29-Dec. 21 Next Stage at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle; $10-$15 (800-838-3006 or www.nextstage.org).

" 'Twas the Night ... "

Nov. 29-Dec. 21 Studio East, 402 Sixth St. S., Kirkland; $13 (425-827-3123 or www.studio-east.org).

"Black Nativity: A Gospel

Song Play"

Nov. 29-Dec. 27 Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St., Seattle; $15-$45 (206-269-1900 or www.intiman.org).

"Waiting for the Man with the Bag"

Nov. 30-Dec. 14 Julia's on Broadway, 300 Broadway E., Seattle; $15 (800-838-3006 or www.dragchanteuse.com).

"The Group Gets into the ACT: A Holiday Cabaret Spectacular"

Dec. 2-6 Bullitt Cabaret at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle; $50 (206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org).

"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play"

Dec. 4-13 Evergreen Family Theatre at RedWood Family Church, 115 Redmond-Woodinville Road, Redmond; $12-$14 (425-885-2244 or www.evergreenfamilytheatre.org).

"The Santaland Diaries"

Dec. 4-24 Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Greenlake Drive N., Seattle; $15-$28 (206-524-1300 or www.seattlepublictheater.org).

"A Christmas Carol"

Dec. 5-7 Bellevue Youth Theatre at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue; $12 (425-452-7155 or www.bytf.org).

"A Christmas Carol"

Dec. 5-13 Valley Center Stage at the Masonic Lodge, 119 ½ North Bend Way, North Bend; $12.50-$15 (425-831-5667 or www.vallecenterstage.org).

"Oliver!"

Dec. 5-14 Broadway Bound Children's Theatre at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle; $15 (800-838-3006 or www.broadwaybound.org).

"It's a Wonderful Improvised Life"

Dec. 5-19 Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle; $10 (206-781-9707 or www.taproot.org).

"Judy Garland Christmas Special"

Dec. 5-20 Open Circle Theater, 2222 Second Ave., Seattle; $15 (206-382-4250 or www.octheater.com).

"Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"

Dec. 5-24 Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St., Renton; $17-$22 (425-226-5529 or www.rentoncivictheater.org).

"Inspecting Carol"

Dec. 5-20 Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley; $12-$16 (360-221-8268 or www.wicaonline.com).

"The Elves and the Shoemaker"

Dec. 5-21 Sprouts Children's Theatre at SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond; $8.75 (425-881-6777 or www.secondstoryrep.org).

"Oliver!"

Dec. 5-21 Ovation! Musical Theatre Bainbridge at Bainbridge High School Theatre, 9330 N.E. High School Road, Bainbridge Island; $15-$22 (206-842-0472 or www.ovationmtb.com).

"A Child's Christmas in Wales"

Dec. 5-24 Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N., Seattle; $14 (206-633-1883 or www.stonesouptheatre.com).

"A Christmas Carol"

Dec. 5-28 Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Tacoma; $14-$22 (253-588-0042 or www.lakewoodplayhouse.com).

"Seattle Radio Theatre: The Bishop's Wife"

Dec. 6 Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $5-$15 (800-838-3006 or www.townhallseattle.com).

"Make Me Laugh — The Christmas Edition"

Dec. 6 Acts of God Drama Troupe at New Life Center, 6830 Highland Drive, Everett; $3 (425-355-9330).

"It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play"

Dec. 6-7 Cascade Community Theatre at Cedarcrest High School, 2900 N.E. 150th St., Duvall; $9-$12 (206-686-0203 or www.cascadecommunitytheatre.org).

"The Gingerbread Boy"

Dec. 6-21 Dec. 6-7 at Bellevue Youth Theatre, 16661 Northrup Way, Bellevue, Dec. 13-14 at Magnuson Park, Building No. 47, Seattle, Dec. 19-21 at Sunset Hill Community Club, Seattle; $7-$9 (206-524-3388 or www.thistletheatre.org).

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

Dec. 7-16 The Driftwood Players at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St., Edmonds; $10 (425-774-9600 or www.driftwoodplayers.com).

"A Golden Age Radio Christmas"

Dec. 10-14 Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington St., Port Townsend; $10-$15 (360-385-7396 or www.keycitypublictheatre.org).

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

Dec. 11-24 Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Greenlake Drive N., Seattle; $15-$25 (206-524-1300 or www.seattlepublictheater.org).

"A Christmas Carol"

Dec. 12-13 Queen Anne Masonic Lodge, 1608 Fourth Ave. W., Seattle; $10-$155 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

"Sister's Christmas Catechism"

Dec. 12-13 Dec. 12 at Kentwood Performing Arts Center, Kent, $15-$26 (253-856-5050 or www.kentarts.com), Dec. 13 at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland; $10-$29 (425-893-9900 or www.kpcenter.org).

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

Dec. 12-21 Merc Playhouse, 101 S. Glover St., Twisp, Okanogan County; $6-$12 (800-838-3006 or www.mercplayhouse.org).

"The Eight — Reindeer Monologues"

Dec. 12-20 The Driftwood Players at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St., Edmonds; $5 (425-774-9600 or www.driftwoodplayers.com).

"Cinderella, the British Panto"

Dec. 12-28 Fremont Players at Hale's Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., Seattle; $6-$12 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Puget Sound Revels' "The Christmas Revels"

Dec. 13-17 Rialto Theatre, 310 S. Ninth St., Tacoma; $14-$26 (253-591-5894 or www.pugetsoundrevels.org).

"The Dos Fallopia Xmas Hour (and a-Half)"

Dec. 14-17 Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., Seattle; $20 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

"KPC Old Fashioned Holiday Extravaganza"

Dec. 14-17 Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland; $10-$25 (425-893-9900 or www.kpcenter.org).

"A Christmas Carol"

Dec. 18 and 20 Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle; $8-$12 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

"A Christmas Carol — The Musical"

Dec. 18-21 Blanchet High School at the Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle; $20-$25.50 (206-292-ARTS or www.ticketmaster.com).

Compiled by Doug Knoop.