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Holiday arts preview: Bringing seasonal spirit to Utah stages

Holiday arts preview • Scrooges in West Valley and Orem, plus some new favorites.

Courtesy Paramount Bing Crosy, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen in "White Christmas."

From traditional classics like "A Christmas Carol" to send-ups like "Nutcracker: Men in Tights," there's plenty of holiday spirit on Utah stages in December. Here's a look at some of the productions this holiday season.

A tight spot

The Desert Star Playhouse sends up the season with "Nutcracker: Men in Tights."

When • Monday and Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1-2, 2:30, 6 and 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m., 2:30, 6 and 8:30 p.m.; plays through Dec. 31

Where • Desert Star Playhouse, 4861 S. State St., Murray

Tickets • $14.95-$26.95; DesertStarPlayhouse.com

'A Christmas Carol'

Come join Hale Center Theater Orem's holiday tradition, "A Christmas Carol."

When • Various dates and times through Dec. 23

Where • Hale Center Theater, 25 W. 400 North, Orem

Tickets • $22-$24 each ($6 less for children); haletheater.org

Get happy

SCERA Center for the Arts will present the musical "The Happy Elf."

When • Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, 7:30 p.m.; plays through Dec. 17

Where • SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State St., Orem

Tickets • $12; scera.org

Consider yourself part of the family

Pioneer Theatre Company features a cast of 13 children in its big holiday musical "Oliver!"

When • Dec. 2-17, Monday-Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday matinees at 2 p.m.; plays Friday through Dec. 17

Where • Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 200300 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake City

Tickets • $40-$62 in advance; $5 more day of show; K-12 students eligible for half-price tickets for Monday and Tuesday shows; 801-581-6961 or pioneertheatre.org

Rings a bell

Sugar Factory Playhouse and West Jordan Theater Arts will present "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," an adaptation by Joe Landry from the classic film by Frank Capra.

When • Saturday, Dec. 3,2 and 7:30 p.m.

Where • Midvale Performing Arts Center, 695 W. Center

Tickets • $8

Keep dreaming

Zions Bank-Broadway Across America will present Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," the story of two show-biz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn and finding their perfect mates in the bargain.

When • Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 6-8, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11, 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Where • George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, 131 Main, Salt Lake City

Tickets • $40-$85; 8 and older; no babes in arms; artsaltlake.org

Radio Hour Episode 11: 'Yuletide'

Plan-B Theatre Company will present Radio Hour Episode 11: "Yuletide," including two short family-friendly dramas: O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" and Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl." Then, send the kiddos into the other room or slip in your earbuds for a new twist on the legendary French boogeyman Hans Trapp in "The Black Knight."

Where • KUER FM 90.1 or stream at planbtheatre.org or radiowest.org

When • Thursday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

A Christmas Carol'

Hale Centre Theatre continues its long-standing Christmas tradition.

When • Various dates, Dec. 9-24

Where • Hale Center Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lane, West Valley City

Tickets • $35-$42; $18 for children 5-11; no children under 5 permitted; hct.org

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Zions Bank-Broadway Across America will present Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a circuslike holiday stage spectacular celebrating holiday themes, music and traditions.

When • Thursday, Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.

Where • George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, 131 Main, Salt Lake City

Tickets • $30-$80; artsaltlake.org