Theatre Talk: Tis the season for Christmas shows

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal

Special to The Village News

The holidays have officially arrived. Local director Mary Fry is kicking off the season by featuring 30 of our local actors, all between the ages of 7 and 18. CTK Kings Players is in rehearsal for "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." Performances will be Dec. 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m., at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook; 760-728-3256.

Scripps Ranch Theatre is opening this week with "Extreme Home Makeover" at 9783 Avenue of Nations. Based on the once popular tv show, "Extreme Makeover," this play is about the Vega family submitting their audition tape to win a spot on the TV series. Closes Dec. 4. Some parts are in Spanish. For tickets, call 858-578-7725 or visit http://www.scrippsranchtheatre.org.

You won't want to miss "Two Pianos 4 Hands" playing Dec. 7 to Jan. 1, at North Coast Repertory in Solana Beach. Jefferson McDonald and Matthew McGloin will take us on a musical comedic journey about their would-be careers as concert pianists. The talented duo trade stories about piano lessons, pushy parents and eccentric teachers while playing everything from Bach to Billy Joel. This entertaining, crowd-pleasing show hits all the right notes. For tickets, call 858-481-1055 or visit https://northcoastrep.org/.

"Plaid Tidings" is opening at San Diego Musical Theatre on Nov. 25, playing through Dec. 24. Come join the fun. For more info, call 585-560-5740 or visit http://www.sdmt.org.

PowPac Community Theatre swings into Christmas with "1940 Radio Christmas Carol" through Dec. 4. For tickets, call 858-679-8085 or visit http://powpac.org.

Meanwhile, in Balboa Park, The Old Globe has swung into full Christmas mode with Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (closing Dec. 31) alongside "Ebenezer Scrooge's Big San Diego Christmas Show" (Nov. 1-Dec. 24). For parking and more info, visit https://www.theoldglobe.org/ or call the box office at 619-234-5623.

The Cygnet Theatre in Old Town San Diego is bringing back their standard fare, "A Christmas Carol." It's beautifully performed, laced with a lot of humor and great singing. For tickets, call 619-337-1525 or visit http://www.cygnettheatre.com/.

Harry Connick, Jr. tickets may just be in the scalper's hands, but a few are showing up on their Broadway San Diego website, https://www.broadwaysd.com. One night only on Dec. 11 downtown at the Balboa Theatre. Parking is within walking distance, but if you go to guest services – go early or you might miss part of the show. Call 619-507-0421 for more info.

Lastly, Diversionary Theatre in association with La Jolla Playhouse is introducing William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" with a "vibrant...cast of trans, non-binary and Queer performers," re-imagined by Christopher Ashley and Will Davis. See https://www.diversionary.org/ or call 858-550-1010 for more info.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].