Holiday Stages: BWW's Top Holiday Theater Picks for Costa Mesa / Orange County!

1. Last Christmas I Gave You My Heart...
But The Very Next Day, You Said You Were Gay!
Theatre Out, Santa Ana
Now - December 21

Orange County's GLBT Theater company is back in full force and is revisiting an old favorite which recounts straight gal Holly's search for true love with the help of Santa's super-gay elves. This popular, hilarious musical includes re-imagined classic holiday tunes you won't soon forget.

For more information, visit www.theatreout.com.

2. The Eight: Reindeer Monologues
Chance Theater, Anaheim Hills
Now - December 28

Christmas gets very naughty as accusations, rumors and all-out attacks are flying fast and furious around Santa's toyshop this holiday season. Go behind the tinsel and hear the truth about Santa straight from the eight reindeer who know him best. When a doe says "No", she means "No Way, Sucka!" After ten years, the Chance Theater's favorite team of reindeer still have plenty to say!

For more information, visit www.chancetheater.com.

3. A Christmas Carol
South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa
Now - December 26

Now in its 34th annual production, SCR's timeless stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' story of that miserable miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his run-ins with a trio of ghosts is still a familiar yuletide favorite in the OC! Featuring Hal Landon Jr. as Scrooge and a bevy of incredible actors that will have you distracted saying..."hey, that's the guy from that TV show!"

For more information, visit www.SCR.org

4. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Maverick Theater, Fullerton
Now - December 23

Santa Claus kidnapped by Martians! Will the children on Earth have no toys on Christmas day? Only Hollywood could cook up such an absurd story and once again the Maverick Theater has adapted it to the stage. This holiday season join Santa on a madcap adventure in outer space! The show is performed with a lighthearted "Saturday Night Live" style that is suitable for children and even cranky adults.

For more information, visit mavericktheater.com

5. It's A Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play
STAGESTheatre
Now - December 29

Frank Capra's ubiquitous holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940's radio broadcast---where patrons are the in-studio audience. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.

For more information, visit www.stagesoc.org

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Photo of Hal Landon Jr. as Ebenezer Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Henry DiRocco/SCR.

Follow Contributing Editor Michael L. Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ