Live literary performance

Publishers Juniper Press and Oxide Books team up with Plan-B Theatre Company for a program of literary readings and stage performance. The event features performance poet Jean Howard, who helped introduce poetry slams to the American literary landscape, and Utah Poet Laureate Katharine Coles, who will read from her new volume, Fault.

Howard's and Coles' performances will kick off a call for entries for a first-of-its-kind poetry collection to be published by Oxide Books in 2010.

The evening concludes with readings/performances by Plan-B actors Tobin Atkinson, Matthew Ivan Bennett, April Fossen and Jay Perry of excerpts from three Oxide Books 2008 releases: Finding the Lost Weekend, by Paul McGill, the controversial fictional work about coming of age and sexual abuse in 1969 at Salt Lake City's all-boys Judge Memorial Catholic High School; Changing Faces, by Tonya Nemanic, a nonfiction, chick-lit memoir that asks whether a beautiful and accomplished woman can find love and happiness; and selections from Plan-B Theatre Company: Plays From Behind the Zion Curtain, the first published anthology of original full-length plays by Utah writers.

When » 7 p.m. Dec. 10

Where » The auditorium of The Leonardo, 243 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City.

Tickets » Free. Light refreshments will be served.

A classic done in music

The Midway Foundation for the Arts is producing "A Christmas Carol" as a musical, with score by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Audience members will get complimentary hot cider and can carol around the Christmas tree or shop for holiday gifts before the show.

When » 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 18-20 and 22. A 2 p.m. matinee is on Dec. 22.

Where » Midway Town Hall, 125 W. Main St., Midway

Tickets » $10, $6 for children 12 and younger at www.midwayarts.org.

A Holiday Production

The Phoenix Theatre Company/Academy of Performing Arts presents "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," a story filled with magical, mythological creatures that unfolds against the backdrop of the mystical frozen land beautifully depicted in the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The production boasts a strong intergenerational ensemble of amateurs and professionals.

When » 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5- 22 on Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Matinee shows are Saturday, Dec. 13 and 20, at 2 p.m.

Where » Sorenson Unity Center Performing Arts Theatre, 1383 S. 900 West, Salt Lake City.

Tickets » Tickets can be purchased online at www.academyofpa.org or by calling the Academy box office at 801-486-2728. Reservations are advised.

A new holiday tradition

It's not "The Nutcracker" or "A Christmas Carol" but might be a holiday tradition in the making -- "Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold" by Maripat Donovan.

In this latest addition to the "Late Nite Catechism" series, Sister employs techniques from her favorite TV show, "Forensic Files," to discover the whereabouts of the Magi's Gold.

Forensic tools in hand, Sister creates a living Nativity using audience members dressed as the Holy Family, magi, shepherds, sheep, cattle … and of course, an ass. She then sets the stage for the crime by directing a local choir in songs of the season that are sure to provide even more clues.

When » 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-14. Performance times are Tuesday--Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Where » Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City.

Tickets » $25 on opening night, then $32.50 to $37.50, available at 801-355-ARTS, online at www.arttix.org, or at any ArtTix box office. Group discounts for 10 or more are available by calling 801-355-5502.

Award-winning story

Winner of the 2001 Obie Award for Best Play, "The Syringa Tree" is now playing as Utah Contemporary Theatre production. "The Syringa Tree" examines apartheid through the eyes of a 6-year-old child, exploring the bonds between two families, one white and one black, and the two children born into their shared household.?Sarah Shippobotham, director of the University of Utah Actors Training Program, plays multiple roles, spanning the boundaries of race and gender as the story traces the families' destinies from early apartheid to a free South Africa.

When » Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 20.

Where »Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City.

Tickets » Tickets available through ArtTix, 801-355-ARTS.

Hale's "A Christmas Carol"

The Hale Centre Theatre production of this holiday classic stays true to Dickens' 1843 story with actual text woven into the script. The 2008 production will incorporate new wireless levitating technology, similar to what is used in Broadway's "Wicked," and moving chains that extend beyond the stage for Jacob Marley. A new circular moving stage element will also create the illusion of the Ghost of Christmas Past and Scrooge flying through the clouds. John Sweeney, director of the production since 2003, said he has focused on the character of Marley -- adding costuming and technical elements to his part.?

When » Monday through Friday at 5 and 8 p.m.; and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2, 5 and 8 p.m., through Dec. 23. Additional matinees at 2 and 5 p.m. will be performed on Dec.22 and 23.

?Where » Hale Centre Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City.

Tickets » $25-$27, and $16-$17 for children ages 5-11, online at www.halecentretheatre.org or by calling 801-984-9000.

Wicked

Tickets for the touring production of "Wicked" go on sale Dec. 12. The musical, which will play in Salt Lake City's Capitol Theatre April 8 through May 3, is directed by 2003 and 2004 Tony Award winner Joe Mantello ("Take Me Out," "Assassins," "Love! Valour! Compassion!", "The Vagina Monologues," "Glengarry Glenn Ross") and features musical staging by Tony winner Wayne Cilento. "Wicked," winner of 20 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tonys, is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Due to pre-existing sales to subscribers and groups, there is a limited inventory of "Wicked" tickets to start with. It is likely that the engagement will sell out in record time. For more information, log on to www.wickedthemusical.com.

When » 7 a.m. Dec. 12.

Where » Capitol Theatre box office, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. At 10 a.m., tickets will be available for purchase online at ArtTix.org, by phone at 801-355-2787, or in person at Capitol Theatre, Abravanel Hall or the Rose Wagner Center.

Tickets » $150, $98.50, $77.50 and $55 plus fees.