2012 Orange County Holiday Theater Preview

The holidays are a great time for the family to reconnect and attend events that bring back classic characters of the season from Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" to Clara in "The Nutcracker." These are the area's best shows to see this holiday season. 

The Laguna Playhouse
Moulton Theater
606 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-2787
lagunaplayhouse.com
Click here for a calendar of events.
Price: $18 to $20 for "Pinkalicious" The Musical Nov. 2 to 11/$40 to $60 for Plaid Tidings Nov. 27 to Dec. 23

With the holiday season here, the youth playhouse will have a special performance of "Pinkalicious" the musical. Based on the book and lyrics by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann, the musical is about Pinkalicious that catches a case of pinkititis and turns pink from head to toe. John Gregor handles the music and lyrics. Also, expect a special holiday version of "Forever Plaid" at the playhouse called "Plaid Tidings," which will run Nov. 27 to Dec. 23. There will be musical renditions from the '50s and '60s by the quartet with classics like "Mr. Santa," "Let it Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Irvine Barclay Theatre
4242 Campus Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 854-4646
thebarclay.org
Click here for a calendar of events.
Price: $28 to $48 for "An Irish Christmas" Nov. 25/$40 adults for "The Nutcracker" Dec. 14 to 24/$37 seniors/$35 children

The UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts along with world-class touring companies perform at the on-campus theater. The holiday season brings a special performance of An Irish Christmas Nov. 25 with traditional Irish dance, music and storytelling. Special guests include Ciaran Maguire and Collette Dunne of "Magic of the Dance" and Kevin Horton of "Riverdance" and members of the Kerry Dance Troupe. The theater also has a special performance of "The Nutcracker" by the Festival Ballet Theatre from Dec. 14 to 24 for an exceptional family friendly night out.

Related: Best Places to see Ballet in Orange County

Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-ARTS
www.scfta.org
Click here for a calendar of events.
Click here pricing.

Previously known as the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts provides extraordinary national and international performances in music, dance and theater for the Southern California area. Special performances during the holiday season will be ushered in by the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization with its annual Christmas concert "God So Loved the World" Nov. 30, "Hendel's Messiah" Dec. 9, "Celtic Woman" Dec. 11, and "The Holiday Organ Spectacular," which will explore the works of Bach, Handel and others Dec. 18. American music icon Amy Grant will also perform a special holiday program from Dec. 13 to 15 as well.

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center
1201 W. Malvern Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92833
(714) 738-6595
themuck.org

Click here for a calendar of events.
Price: $60 for Home For The Holidays Nov. 8/free for the Holiday Festival Dec. 23

The cultural center offers a wide array of activities from performances, gallery tours and festivals. For the holiday season, the center will celebrate its third annual holiday benefit with proceeds going to its arts educational programs. The benefit will feature wine, cheese and chocolate tastings. The Holiday Festival in December will offer gallery tours, arts and crafts fairs, and performances. The event is family friendly and will include a special appearance by Santa Claus for the kids.

Related: Best Upcoming Art Competitions in Orange County

South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-5555
www.scr.org
Click here for a calendar of events.
Price: $26 to $63 for A Christmas Carol Nov. 24 to Dec. 24

SCR's mission was "founded in the belief that theatre is an artform with a unique power to illuminate the human experience." By service the local Southern California community with its dedication to the art of theatre, the venue does not disappoint with its holiday lineup with Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." John-David Keller will direct the cast Nov. 24 to Dec. 24 when they recapture the classic Dickens take of Christmas past, present and future with character Ebenezer Scrooge. Academy Award-winning film "The Artists" Hal Landon Jr. will return for the 33rd year as Scrooge.

Elle Toussi is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.