“All About Santa,” musical matinee series, Birthday, Holiday and Tea Parties, hosted by a gaily costumed Playhouse actor, available in conjunction with the play for every performance. (310) 394-9779 x2. Santa Monica Playhouse is located, 1211 4th Street, through December 18, (310) 394-9779 ext. 2.
Betty’s Summer Vacation, by Christopher Durang, a Los Angeles premiere, through Nov. 27, The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave. Venice.
Blue Dahlia, a stage adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s classic screenplay. Performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Pacific Resident Theatre, 705 1/2 Venice Blvd. in Venice. Tickets are $20-$27, (310) 822-8392.
The Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical, to continue for six weeks through Sunday, January 15 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood. (323) 960-5563.
Breaking Legs, a comedy by Tom Dulack, Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 East Anaheim Street, through December 17.
“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.
The Loud Red Patrick, Long Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Theatre, through December 17, 5021 East Anaheim Street, (562) 494-1014.
Puppetolio, a puppet variety show for ages 3 and up, Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., runs indefinitely, (310) 656-0483.
A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings, www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center, or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office. Single ticket prices are $20 (youth) and $40 (adults), through December 18.
When it Comes to Women, through Sunday, December 18. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Tickets are $25 for all performances. For Tickets, please call 310-477-2055 or visit www.odysseytheatre.com.
Friday, December 16
Spotlight: Freedom, Evenng of One Acts, presented by the Rough Draft Theater Ensemble, Cantwell Auditorium, St, Monica’s Church, 725 California Ave., $7 donation accepted, (310) 399-3362.
Men of Middle Eastern Dance, a belly-dancing extravaganza, Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th Street, $20, (310) 315-1459.
Star of Wonder, a look at possible explanations for the Star of Bethlehem at Santa Monica College’s popular Friday night astronomy series. 8 p.m. and is preceded by “The Night Sky Show” Drescher Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. (310) 434-3000.
The Nihilist Film Fest returns for a seventh year, those wacky nihilists, as part of Track 16 Nights series, including short films from around the country, Track 16, Bergamot Station, near Olympic and 26th, (323) 937-8779.
Saturday, December 17
A Holiday Cabaret, featuring teen members of the Musical Theatre Performance Lab at the Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, also December 18, (310) 394-9779.
The Christmas Princess, also Sunday December 17th and 18th, 3:00 p.m., The Black Box Theater, 12420 Santa Monica Blvd. (at Centinela), $5.00. Adults $10.00 ($5.00 with an unwrapped gift for needy children), (310) 979-7078.
La Pastorela – a satirical, traditional and contemporary Mexican Holiday Play, 5 p.m.,
SPARC, 685 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. 310.822-9560
Sunday, December 18
Hollywood Master Chorale. Holiday music —from traditional to jazz, featuring Ron Theise’s Mark Twain Ringers in a suite of French hand bell carols. Guest soloist soprano Elin Carlson . First United Methodist Church, 1008 11th Street, 6 p.m., $8-$22. (323) 960-4349.
Wednesday, December 21
Holiday Enchanted Lunchtime Theatre, a Mommy (or Daddy) and Me Interactive Fairytale Theatre, presented by the Early Education Program, Santa Monica Playhouse Arts Complex, 1211 4th Street, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., (310) 394-9779.
