This summer my wife and I treated her brother and sister to a performance of The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Lakewood Theatre Company. And just in the last month, we have enjoyed two theater performances—The Little Shop of Horrors in the Lakeridge High School Auditorium and Home for the Holidays at the Broadway Rose Theater in Tigard. The intimate settings of all three venues—where there’s not a bad seat in the house—reminded us of why we enjoy going to local productions.

Often the price of admission makes the performances more enjoyable as well. With that in mind, I’ve put together a roundup of local holiday productions in and around Lake Oswego for you to consider if you’re looking for a traditional favorite (like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) or something out of the ordinary (like A Drunk Christmas Carol).

LAKEWOOD THEATRE COMPANY

IRVING BERLIN’S HOLIDAY INN and MARY POPPINS SOLD OUT!. All remaining performances are sold out so be sure and snag your tickets early for next year’s holiday performances!

THE PEPPERMINT BEAR SHOW: WHO NEEDS SNEEDS. Christmas is just around the corner and the Peppermint Bear and Santa’s elves, are rehearsing for their Christmas show when the evil Sneed brothers show up plotting to take Santa’s Christmas gifts before his yearly sleigh ride on Christmas Eve. Will they be able to stop the brothers before they ruin Christmas?

The Peppermint Bear show is a classic at Lakewood Theatre Company and it’s perfect for families and full of holiday cheer. Each year a new 45-minute episode is presented. A light continental breakfast with rolls, juice, and coffee is provided. It’s a show that is perfect for ages 3-103. Doors open 20 minutes before each show. Tickets: $20/Adults; $15/Kids. Shows offered December 10, 16 (SOLD OUT) 17 at 11:00 a.m. and December 19, 20, 21, 22 at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Side Door Stage at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street, 503.635.3901.

BROADWAY ROSE THEATRE

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. Passengers bussing home to Chicago for the holidays find themselves stuck in Iowa when a blizzard shuts down the highway. Forced to spend Christmas Eve at a deserted bus depot, they make the best of a bleak situation and get into the Yuletide spirit with many of your favorite holiday songs and new ones you may have never heard. This lighthearted revue is a festive pick-me-up for anyone seeking holiday cheer! Plays now through December 23 at the New Stage Theater in Tigard. Tickets: $20 to $52, but from our experience, there’s not a bad seat in the house! 12850 SW Grant Avenue in Tigard.

NORTHWEST CHILDREN’S THEATER

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Because of his shiny nose, Rudolph doesn’t feel like he belongs in Christmastown and sets off to find a place that accepts him. Along his journey, he encounters fellow misfits, only to realize that home is where he has belonged the whole time. When a storm threatens to keep Santa’s sleigh from taking flight, it’s up to Rudolph to save Christmas! Most enjoyed by ages 3 and up. Tickets: $25-$35 General Admission. Plays through January 28. The Judy, Northwest Children’s Theater, 1000 SW Broadway Avenue, T-100.

CATALYST PRESENTS: ANNIE, JR. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage in the 1930’s. Confident that “the sun will come out tomorrow”, she finds a new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks and his personal secretary, Grace — but will the cruel Miss Hannigan get in their way of becoming a family? Most enjoyed by ages 5 and up. Tickets: $10-$15 General Admission. Plays from December 16 -23. The Judy, Northwest Children’s Theater, 1000 SW Broadway Avenue, T-100.

EXPERIENCE THEATRE PROJECT

A DRUNK CHRISTMAS CAROL. This promises to be something you may have never experienced before. One professional actor downs five shots of whiskey, then attempts to perform in the role of Scrooge in Dickens’ most famous Christmas story. A troupe of professional improvisers try to keep the classic story on the rails, but risk being completely sidetracked by wacky audience suggestions, a wheel of accents, an ugly sweater contest, holiday hors d’oeuvres, a wine raffle, and gift giveaways throughout the night. This kind of show is lovingly ripped off of the format for Drunk Shakespeare (NY). Plays once on December 16 with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. for themed cocktails and mochtails, along with holiday- themed hors d/oeuvres. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45-$225. The Greatroom, 15900 SW Regatta Lane, Beaverton.

BAG & BAGGAGE PRODUCTIONS

WHO’S HOLIDAY! A COMEDY WITH A TWIST OF RHYME. The beloved Cindy Lou Who from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is all grown up and boy does she have a story to tell! While preparing her trailer for a Christmas party Lou Who lets the audience in on the good, bad, and ugly of her life since meeting the Grinch. Matthew Lombardo’s “…raunchy riff on Dr. Seuss’ yuletide tale” will leave you in stitches and filled to the brim with holiday cheer. Tickets are sold on a pay-what-you-will basis starting at $20, and going up in $5 increments. Plays through December 17. The Vault Theater. 350 E. Main Street, Hillsboro.

THEATRE IN THE GROVE

SCROOGE! THE MUSICAL! Experience the timeless tale of redemption, hope, and holiday spirit in this musical. Enchanting melodies, dazzling dance numbers and heartwarming moments that will leave you humming and smiling long after the curtains close. Perfect for all ages. Tickets: $18-$20. Plays December 10 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. 2028 Pacific Avenue in Forest Grove. 503.359.5349.

HILLSBORO ARTISTS’ REGIONAL THEATRE

MISS: BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLY. A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, MISS BENNET continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as a dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love. Tickets $22 plays through December 17. 185 SE Washington, Hillsboro. 503.693.7815

ALBERTA ROSE THEATRE

IT’S A TONY STARLIGHT CHRISTMAS. This is a Portland holiday tradition, and the December 17 show is the only one that still had tickets available. Enjoy classic tunes brought to us by Dean Martin and Bing Crosby as well as favorites from holiday specials as Scrooge and the Rankin and Bass animated television specials from the sixties. From swinging standards to comedy routines where Joe Friday arrests Frosty the Snowman, you’ll be thoroughly entertained and in the holiday spirit. Tickets: General Admission – $30; Preferred Seating -$45. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Show begins at 5:00 p.m. 3000 NE Alberta, 503.719.6035.

PHAME PRESENTS: RING-A-DING-DING RADIO WINTER CONCERT. Enjoy performances by PHAME’s music ensembles, soloists and small groups, as well as comedy and dance. PHAME is a fine and performing arts academy serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tickets: $10-$20. Tuesday, December 19. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; Show begins at 6:45 p.m. 3000 NE Alberta, 503.719.6035.

A BURLY CAROL: A BURLESQUE TALE. Warm yourself from winter’s chill with the sexiest of holiday ghost tales that ever was gold as Lacy Productions and The Alberta Rose Theatre presents this burlesque tale inspired by “A Christmas Carol.” Wednesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 – $40. 3000 NE Alberta, 503.719.6035.

THE 3-LEG TORSO PRESENTS THE ELVES OF FROSTLAND. See what happens when 3 LEG TORSO find themselves stranded in Frostland during toy-making season with nothing more than their music and the arrival of random strangers to bring them joy. Tickets: $20-$50. Friday, December 22; Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; Show starts at 7:00 p.m. 3000 NE Alberta, 503.719.6035.

QUEER EYE FOR THE MAGI: A HOLIGAY CABARET. Experience some of Portland’s best queer entertainers as they take to the stage to celebrate and commiserate the holidays together! Tickets: $30-$50. Thursday, December 28; Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Show starts at 7:30 p.m. 3000 NE Alberta, 503.719.6035.

PORTLAND REVELS

THE MIDWINTER REVELS: EMERALD ODYSSEY – A CELEBRATION OF THE SOLSTICE.  It’s a stormy evening in Kinvarra when an out-of-town stranger walks into the middle of the Móirín’s pub and interrupts the community’s celebration of the Winter Solstice. Móirín decides that with enough Irish singing, dancing, story-telling, and perhaps a Mummers Play, they can make their new friend Irish by the time the sun rises on the shortest day. But the stranger has a story of her own to tell. Tickets: $21-$98 with student and senior discounts. Eleven performances from December 15-23. Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta Street.

THE CHILDREN’S REVELS: THE EMERALD DRAGON – A CHILDREN’S CELEBRATION OF LIGHT. Bring your youngest revelers to enjoy a show created just for them! Join us to help Drago the Emerald Dragon and his best friend navigate dark and sometimes scary water, friendly singing fish (built, puppeted, and sung by the Revels Children’s Chorus), and a worried babysitter to find a magic gem that will give Drago their deepest wish – to be a ballet dancer! Tickets: $18 – $35 with student and senior discounts. Performances at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. on December 29 and 30. The Judy, Northwest Children’s Theater, 1000 SW Broadway Avenue, T-100. 503.274.4654.

PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE

A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The story begins with Scrooge, who is known for his cold heart and his lack of compassion for others. He is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the consequences of his selfish ways. Throughout the night, Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, who take him on a journey through time and space to show him the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets: $59.95 except on Premium Dates: $69.95 (December 15,16,17, 20,21,22,23,24)  Plays now through December 30. 602 NE Prescott St, (503) 488.5822.

Consider me your resource for all things Lake Oswego, including buying or selling a home. I’ve lived in and worked as a Realtor in Lake Oswego for over 30 years so I’d love to put my experience to work for you! Give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com and let me know how I can help.