Book-It Repertory Theatre created its own holiday tradition in 1997 by adapting a tasty sliver of the John Irving novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany" into a popular 90-minute stage piece. Tired of forever playing a hovering angel in the annual Christmas pageant, Owen is a determined Gravesend, N.H., lad who mounts a vigorous campaign to score a new role: the baby Jesus. (Shown here are Ashley Marshall, left, Josh Aaseng and Connor Toms.) This new encore production of the play (which has also been performed in Portland and elsewhere at Yuletide), "Owen Meany's Christmas Pageant," is directed by co-adaptor Jane Jones and features Josh Aaseng as the spunky Owen — a kid on a mission, whom you can't help but root for.

Through Dec. 23 at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center. (206-216-0833 or www.book-it.org)

Misha Berson, Seattle Times theater critic