Local theater troupes offer festive fare for Christmas; many shows have become seasonal traditions. A Christmas Carol: Hillbarn Theatre\u2019s production of Ala<\/b>
\nLocal theater troupes offer festive fare for Christmas; many shows have become seasonal traditions.
A Christmas Carol: Hillbarn Theatre\u2019s production of Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens\u2019 musical adaption of Charles Dickens\u2019 classic tale features Christopher Reber as Scrooge. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 16, $25-$52.1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, www.hillbarntheatre.org
Avenue Q: New Conservatory Theatre Center brings back the Tony Award-winning musical with foul-mouthed puppets in its sixth annual holiday production. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Jan. 6, $38-$65. Decker Theatre, 25 Van Ness Ave., S. F., nctcsf.org
The Jewelry Box: Storyteller Brian Copeland tells what happens when, as a youngster in the 1970s, he headed to the \u201cmean streets\u201d of Oakland to buy his mom a Christmas present. 8 p.m. Fridays, 5 p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 15, $20-$100. Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S. F., www.themarsh.org
Songs for a Sixpence: BATS offers a new, improvised on-the-spot musical set in the world of Charles Dickens. 8 p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 29, $17-$20. Bayfront Theater, Building B, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd., S. F., www.improv.org
Tuck Everlasting: TheatreWorks\u2019 show is based on the children\u2019s novel about a girl\u2019s adventures with a magical family. 7:30 p.m. most Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 30, $40-$100. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, theatreworks.org
Dames at Sea: 42nd Street Moon stages the toe-tapping parody of Busby Berkeley-style movie musicals. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 6 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 16, $39-$75. Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St., S. F., 42ndstmoon.org
Beach Blanket Babylon: Steve Silver\u2019s popular San Francisco revue dresses up for the holidays, with tap dancing Christmas trees and its gigantic Yuletide hat. Wednesdays-Sundays, plus 7 and 10:15 p.m. Dec. 31, $65-$210. Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd., S. F., $65-$210, www.beachblanketbabylon.com
The Golden Girls-The Christmas Episodes: The annual show features four San Francisco drag queens performing two new episodes from the classic TV show live onstage. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. most Sundays, through Dec. 23, $25-$50. Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St., S. F., www.goldengirlssf.com
Little Women: Coastal Repertory Theatre stages the adaptation by Jon Jory of the Louisa May Alcott novel. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 23, $17-$35.1167 Main St., Half Moon Bay, www.coastalrep.com
Circus Bella: The new locally produced \u201cKaleidoscope: A Winter Circus Spectacular\u201d features aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, high wire artists and more, under a big tent on Treasure Island. Opens Nov. 30,7:30 Wednesdays-Fridays, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, through Jan. 6, $39-$150. Mersea Meadow,699 Avenue of the Palms, S. F., www.circusbella.org
The Santaland Diaries: TheatreWorks stages the comedy based on David Sedaris\u2019 satirical essay about the holidays. Wednesdays-Sundays, Dec. 5-23, $45. Lohman Theatre, 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, theatreworks.org
Cirque de la Symphony: Acrobats and aerialists perform as Edwin Outwater conducts the San Francisco Symphony playing holiday music. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, $29-$115. Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S. F., www.sfsymphony.org
A Christmas Carol: American Conservatory Theater stages the classic play, an adaptation by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff, for the 42nd year, with James Carpenter and Anthony Fusco as Scrooge and Ken Ruta as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Most days, except Mondays, Dec. 6-29, $10-$120.415 Geary St., S. F., www.act-sf.org
Drag Queens on Ice: Back for their ninth year, The City\u2019s \u201cfiercest drag queens\u201d lip sync and skate. 8 p.m. Dec. 6, $20-$25. Union Square Ice Rink, 333 Post St., S. F., www.unionsquareicerink.com
Lobster Actually: Killing My Lobster presents sketch comedy for the hopelessly romantic. 8 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15. $10-$50. PianoFight, 144 Taylor St., S. F., www.pianofight.com
A Christmas Carol: Center REPertory Company stages its popular version of the holiday classic. Dec. 6-16, $28-$50. Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, www. CenterREP.org
A Noh Christmas Carol: Theatre of Yugen\u2019s 1993 adaptation (by founder Yuriko Doi) of Dickens\u2019 classic story, told using traditional Japanese theater forms, is back by popular demand with new designs and staging. Fridays-Sundays, Dec. 7-30, $15-$45.2840 Mariposa St., S. F., www.theatreofyugen.org
Joy! A Holiday Show with Circus, Dance and Live Music: Tandy Beal\u2019s production features Cirque du Soleil soloists Jeff Raz and Diane Wasnak, contortionists, balancing feats and a cappella group SoVoS\u00f3. 7 p.m. Dec. 7,2 and 7 p.m. Dec, 8,2 p.m. Dec. 9, $15-$50. Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose, www.holiday-joy.com
A Family Christmas: Saratoga Federated Church presents an original musical drama about a family and \u201cfor the whole family.\u201d 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8,3 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9, free. 20390 Park Place, Saratoga, www.saratogafederated.org\/christmas.html
The Christmas Revels: \u201cAncient Mysteries of Andalusian Spain\u201d is the theme of the annual musical theatrical celebration of the winter solstice. 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 8\u20139 and Dec. 15-16,8 p.m. Dec. 14, $10-$65. Scottish Rite Temple, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, www.californiarevels.org
So You Think You Can Circus: Circus Center\u2019s winter showcase presents performers vying before judges including Santa Clause and Yeti. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8,2 p.m. Dec. 9, $5-$20.755 Frederick St., S. F., http:\/\/circuscenter.org\/mainstage
Sleeping Beauty, the Panto: The \u201coutrageous, vaudevillian, musical U. K. tradition\u201d has romance and drag and \u201choliday fun for all ages.\u201d 2 p.m. daily, except Christmas, plus 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 18-30, $25-$50. PantoSF @ Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter St., S. F., www.brownpapertickets.com
A Very Merry Christmas Cabaret: Kat Robichaud and her band\u2019s variety show answers the question; What do Star Wars, Gremlins and Santa Claus have in common? 8 p.m. Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 27-29, $30-$260. Z Space, 450 Florida St., S. F., www.krmisfitcabaret.com
Cinderella: The African-American Shakespeare Company stages its enchanting take on the fairy tale. 8 p.m. Dec. 21,11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 22 and 1 p.m. Dec. 23, $25-$35. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S. F., www.african-americanshakes.org
Fool La La!: Unique Derique\u2019s circus-inspired family show is filled with physical comedy and body percussion. Dec. 21-23, Dec. 27-30 and Jan. 2-6. $15-$100. Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S. F., www.themarsh.org
Mittens and Mistletoe\u2013A Winter Circus Cabaret: Sweet Can Productions presents its charming show for the ninth time. Dec. 26-Dec. 30, $18-$65. Mission Dance Theater, 3316 24th St., S. F., www.sweetcanproductions.com
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy: The 26th annual event \u2014 Jewish comedians doing stand-up in a Chinese restaurant \u2014 features headliner Carol Leifer, Joseph Nguyen, Jordon Ferber and Lisa Geduldig, the host, creator and producer. 5 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23-25, $52-$72. New Asia Restaurant, 772 Pacific Ave., S. F., www.koshercomedy.com<\/p>\n