SoCal theatre, Dec. 24-31: ‘Dita Von Teese’s New Year’s Eve Gala,’ ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ and more
Theatre, musicals, cabaret, drag, standup comedy, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, and books & lit for LA & OC
Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting live theater, cabaret, standup comedy, etc. on stages all around Southern California this week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Theatre
Opening this week…
‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ A modern-day teen travels back in time to the 1950s, with a little help from a kooky scientist, in this Broadway show based on the 1985 sci-fi comedy starring Michael J. Fox. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26-30; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1-5. $44 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘The Dina Martina Christmas Show’ The drag artist shares songs, stories and more in this holiday variety show for ages 18 and older only. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Monday, Dec. 26-30. $30, $35. Dynasty Typewriter, 2511 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. dinamartina.com
‘The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays’ Prepare to ooh and aah and then wonder “How’d they do that?” with the return of this family friendly show. Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. $59-$79. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com
Also at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. $54 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritos.gov
‘The Annual One-Time Only New Year’s Eve Musical Revue’ The silliness and sing-alongs come with snacks and beverages in another edition of this long-running family-friendly NYE variety show. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 7 and 10:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 31. $34.50-$9.50. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Dita Von Teese’s New Year’s Eve Gala’ If you’re after something more naughty than nice, you’re in luck: The biggest name in modern burlesque rings in the new in the return of this saucy stage spectacular. For ages 18 and older only. 10 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 31. Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. $80-$307. laorpheum.com
Comedy
Sunset Comedy Night Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, Doug Benson and “SNL’s” Darrell Hammond are among the funny folk taking the stage in this a new installment of this stand-up showcase. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. $25-$45; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
‘Another Groovy New Year’s Eve’ with Rita Rudner The veteran comedienne is joined by cast members from the tribute show “Listen to the Seventies” for a cork-poppin’ good time. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 7 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 31. $105-$131. lagunaplayhouse.com
Continuing...
‘Bob Baker’s Nutcracker’ This marionette-theater update of Baker’s original 1969 adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet returns for another season, but in a new location. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Various days, dates and times thru Jan. 5. $25. (626) 355-4318. sierramadreplayhouse.org
‘Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical’ Our feline protagonist comes to the stage in this show based on characters from Dav Pilkey’s popular “Dog Man” books; for ages 6 and up. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 3 and 7 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; other dates and times thru Jan. 5. $30 and up. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
‘A Christmas Carol’ That miserable miser Ebenezer Scrooge is shown the error of his ways in the return of this music-filled stage spectacular adapted from Dickens’ classic tale; for ages 5 and up only (babies and toddlers not permitted). A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Closes 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. $51.50 and up; students, $20 and up; family packages and group discounts available. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org
‘A Christmas Carol’ Longtime company member Richard Doyle heads the cast of South Coast Rep’s annual staging of Dickens’ classic fable; for ages 6 and up; children under 6 not admitted; contains smoke, haze and strobe effects. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Closes noon and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. $42-$114; discounts available for children under 12. (714) 708-5555. scr.org
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Kooza’ A sweet but naïve clown undertakes a fantastical journey in this darkly whimsical big-top spectacular from the Montreal-based cirque company. Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. Various days, dates and times thru Jan. 5. $74 and up. cirquedusoleil.com
‘The Civil Twilight’ A popular AM radio personality find himself trapped in a motel room with his biggest fan during a raging storm in Shem Bitterman’s new thriller. Broadwater Studio Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays thru Jan. 26. $20-$45. theciviltwilight.ludus.com
‘Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ The family-friendly holiday musical based on the beloved book and subsequent animated TV special returns. The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. Thursdays; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; other dates and times thru Dec. 29. $33 and up. (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.org
‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster heads the cast in the West Coast premiere of Emmy winner Amy Sherman-Palladino’s update of the 1950s-era musical comedy based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale “The Princess and the Pea”; “Ugly Betty’s” Michael Urie and “SNL’s” Ana Gasteyer also star. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays thru Jan. 5; no performances Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. $52 and up. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
‘Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates Christmas’ J.M. Barrie’s beloved characters set sail for adventure in 5-Star Theatricals’ staging of this family friendly Panto-style musical comedy featuring “Seinfeld’s” John O’Hurley as Captain Hook. Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, noon and 4 p.m. Sundays thru Dec. 29; added show 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27. $39.50-$59.50. (805) 449-2787. 5startheatricals.com
‘Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish’ The fairytale heroine with the flowing locks plots her escape in the world premiere of this family friendly Panto-style musical comedy; with Sally Struthers. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive, Laguna Beach. 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Fridays, noon and 4 pm. Saturdays-Sundays, other dates thru Dec. 29; no performance Dec. 25. $37-$84. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘The Ugly Duckling’ Storybook Theatre reprises its award-winning, kid-friendly interactive musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 1 p.m. Saturdays thru Jan. 18. $15. (323) 851-4839. theatrewest.org
‘Wicked’ The national tour of Stephen Schwartz’ Tony-winning musical prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” returns to SoCal; recommended for ages 8 and up; children under 5 will not be admitted. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays thru Feb. 2; also 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 23 & 30. $60.75 and up. (323) 468-1770. broadwayinhollywood.com