Charlie Brown, Scrooge and David Sedaris – where to see holiday-themed theatre in Vancouver

From the family-friendly hijinks of Charlie Brown to the adult-oriented humour of American writer David Sedaris, Vancouver stages are alive with the sounds and sights of Christmas (or Festivus, if you prefer) this holiday season. Here is some of what’s on – but check the dates; a few of these productions end this week.

Bah! Humbug! – Now in its seventh year, SFU Woodward/Vancouver Moving Theatre’s production, in partnership with Full Circle: First Nations Performance, is set in modern-day East Vancouver (more specifically, the Downtown Eastside). It features Juno Award-winning bluesman Jim Byrnes, Mayor’s Arts Award Winner Margo Kane, and Stephen Lytton, recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, with large-scale mono-print linocut projections and murals by Richard Tetrault and 25 musical numbers accompanied by the Saint James Music Academy Choir. On now until Dec. 17 at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings St.). Visit sfu.ca for tickets.

The SantaLand Diaries – This returning production is adapted from American humour writer David Sedaris’ chronicles of his experience working as a Christmas elf in a Macy’s department store in New York City. The Santaland Diaries features Alan Marriott as Crumpet, a middle-aged, out-of-work, and in-need-of-holiday-cash writer. Mature content – NOT recommended for children. On now until Dec. 17 at Presentation House Theatre (333 Chesterfield Ave., North Vancouver). Visit pttheatre.org for tickets.

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol – American actor/playwright Tom Mula gives a fresh spin to the well-worn Dickens story. In Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Marley works behind-the-scenes to save Scrooge’s soul. In this Theatre Obscura production, four actors play 18 characters. On until Dec 18 at Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery St.). For tickets visit brownpapertickets.com or call 604-224-8007.

The Christmas Queen 3 – The Bachelorette Edition – Vancouver TheatreSports™ League’s (VTSL) holiday offering is the latest in their Christmas Queen series. According to the media release, this third instalment finds “HRM (Her Royal Meanness) as the star of her own reality show. She insists that the finale be filmed and aired live on Christmas Eve and her poor, brow-beaten director Bob Matchit can’t talk her out of it. Not only will his Christmas be ruined but her plan is to ruin the Christmas of all her suitors.” No two shows are ever the same as VTSL’s pro improvisers turn audience suggestions into holiday laughs. On until Dec. 23 at The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau St., Granville Island). Visit vtsl.com for tickets.

Holy Mo! A Christmas Show! – Three characters, Folly, Guff, and Buffoona, appear in this original production. Written by local performer Lucia Frangione, it’s described in press materials as a “reverently irreverent re-imagining of the Nativity story, told with gusto and a questionable commitment to accuracy.” On until Dec. 31 at Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave). For tickets visit pacifictheatre.org.

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Charles M. Schulz’ classic characters come to life in this stage adaptation of the hugely popular animated holiday TV special. On until Dec. 31 at The Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St., Granville Island). Visit carouseltheatre.ca for tickets.