“A Christmas Carol”: Let’s face it, Christmas is not really Christmas without Charles Dickens.
ACT Theatre has been giving families a way to relive the Christmas message since 1976 by presenting Dickens’ classic tale, “A Christmas Carol,” as its annual holiday production.
Dickens, whose story was published in 1843, wanted to call attention to the plight of the poor, especially the children of the poor, when he wrote “A Christmas Carol,” about Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformational journey to selfless goodness, guided by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
This show runs for 90 minutes with veterans David Pichette and Jeff Steitzer alternating the Scrooge role.
“A Christmas Carol” opens with previews at 7 tonight at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. Shows at various times through Dec. 24. Tickets are $27 to $49 for adults and $27 to $42 for children. Call 206-292-7676 or go to www.acttheatre.org. For ages 5 and up.
“Cinderella”: With songs such as “The Prince is Giving a Ball,” “In My Own Little Corner” and “Impossible,” the production “Cinderella” parks its musical carriage at the 5th Avenue Theatre for performances that promise to be a ball.
The 5th Avenue’s winter production stars pint-sized powerhouse Jennifer Paz as Cinderella. Paz was recently seen in Village Theatre’s “Jesus Christ Superstar”
Joining Paz is Broadway star Kendra Kassebaum as the Fairy Godmother. Kassebaum originated the role of Glinda in the first national tour of the musical “Wicked.”
To review, Rodgers &Hammerstein’s Cinderella is living as a servant for her awful stepmother and stepsisters who plan on going to the royal ball without her. Cinderella is visited by her Fairy Godmother who promises a complete make-over. At the ball, Cinderella and Prince Christopher fall madly in love but this magic ends at midnight and Cinderella flees the palace. She loses her glass slipper, however, and the prince goes on a quest to find his true love who fits this shoe.
“Cinderella” opens with previews at 8 tonight at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Shows are at various times through Dec. 31. Tickets start at $29. Call 206-625-1900 or go to www.5thavenue.org.
“Beasley’s Christmas Party”: Taproot Theater presents a little Christmas Americana with this story set in the Midwest in 1909. A curious journalist moves to a small town and becomes enthralled with his eccentric next-door neighbor, gubernatorial candidate David Beasley.
This is a tale of hope and surprising twists as audiences discover that politicians can possess goodness and still believe in the Christmas message.
“Beasley’s Christmas Party” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 30 at Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Tickets start at $27. Call 206-781-9707 or go to www.book-it.org.
“Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant”: This is Book-It Theatre’s adaptation of the John Irving story about a pint-sized kid with a giant-sized Messiah complex.
Take-charge Owen Meany is determined to play the baby Jesus in the church Christmas pageant at Christ Church of Gravesend, N.H. His determination leads to a power struggle with the pastor’s wife that reaches almost biblical proportions.
“Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant” opens with pay-what-you-will previews Nov. 29 and 30 and continues with a subscribed preview Dec. 1 and opening night Dec. 2 at Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Tickets start at $22. Call 206-216-0833 or go to www.book-it.org. Runs for 70 minutes with no intermission.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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