Betty’s Summer Vacation, by Christopher Durang, a Los Angeles premiere, through Nov. 27, The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave. Venice.
The Blue Dahlia, a stage adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s classic screenplay, thru February 5, 2006. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. No shows December 21, 2005 – January 1, 2006. Pacific Resident Theatre is located at 703 Venice Blvd. $20-$27, (310) 822-8392.
The Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical, through Sunday, January 15 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood. (323) 960-5563.
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” At CTG/Ahmanson Theatre in Pre-Broadway Engagement, through December 24, with characters from 1920s musicals, Tickets for are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.
Happy End, Pacific Resident Theatre, written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Boulevard, (310) 822-8392.
Robert Schenkkan’s “Lewis and Clark Reach the Euphrates,” world premiere production, through January 22, 2006, at the Mark Taper Forum downtown at the Los Angeles Music Center. $20 to $55 (213) 628-2772.
Puppetolio, a puppet variety show for ages 3 and up, Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., runs indefinitely, (310) 656-0483.
Thursday, December 22
The MeshugaNutcracker – Westside Jewish Community Center, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., National Jewish Theatre Festival presents the touring musical featuring Hanukkah tales past and present set to the score from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet. Performances include a menorah lighting and Hanukkah singalong. 7:30 p.m., through January 1, 5 p.m. $18-$36, (323) 938-2531 x2201.
Saturday, December 24
46th Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, a free, six-hour seasonal music and dance show that takes place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center (135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The entire six hours is simulcast live on KCET. (213) 972-3099 or visit online at www.holidaycelebration.org.
Winter Break Activities, visit the galleries, drop-in art projects, the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., (323) 440-4636.
Monday, December 26
Umojo (Unity) Night – Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Ceremony, American American Cultural Center, 3018 W. 48th Street, 6 p.m., community is asked to bring warm clothing and blankets for those less fortunate, refreshments will be served, (323) 299-6124, www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org.
Kids Space Winter Wonderland, Kidspace Children’s Museum, through January 8, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $8, 1 and younger, free, (626) 449-9144.
LA County Holiday Celebration, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. The 46th annual county holiday celebration will be a six hour extravaganza featuring more than 40 musical ensembles, choirs and dance companies reflecting the geographic and ethnic diversity that is Los Angeles. The entire show will be broadcast live on KCET-TV. See www.holidaycelebration.org, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Free. (213) 972-3099.
This Winter Break, the Playhouse, for kids ages 6 to 14 to get a taste of theatre arts, singing, dancing, acting and performance, Santa Monica Playhouse, through January 6, 1211 Fourth Street, (310) 394-9779.
