TOM TITUS -- Theater

It’s beginning to look, if not a lot, then just a little like

Christmas in local theater.

Playgoers seeking to get into the holiday spirit may rely on South

Coast Repertory, as usual, to provide its annual double dose of yuletide

cheer. And Costa Mesa’s newest theater group has something under the tree

for the kiddies.

But Orange Coast College, which has been alternating between a

Christmas melodrama and an old-time radio broadcast variety show set in

the holiday season, won’t be hanging up the theatrical mistletoe this

year. Nor will the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, which charmed old and

young alike last December with “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

SCR has old Scrooge himself, in the perpetual personage of Hal Landon

Jr., ready to “bah” and “humbug” his way through the holidays -- in fact,

the theater’s 21st annual rendition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas

Carol” opened Wednesday and will continue through Christmas Eve.

And downstairs, on the Second Stage, the Hispanic-flavored yuletide

treat, “La Posada Magica,” enters its seventh holiday season, playing

Dec. 10-24. In both venues, the leading character rediscovers the spirit

of the season, assisted by events that are truly other-worldly.

In the absence of Costa Mesa Civic and OCC festivities -- OCC stages

“The Hostage” through Dec. 10 and Costa Mesa Civic has “The Sound of

Music” through Dec. 17 -- the Trilogy Playhouse fills the gap, wrapping

up its first season in Costa Mesa with a musical production of A.A.

Milne’s “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail.” The show opens Friday and

plays through Dec. 23.

While Landon is appearing in his 21st incarnation as Scrooge at SCR,

the ghost of Jacob Marley won’t be played by Don Took, missing only his

second production since 1980. Took is winding up his role in “The

Countess.”

However, old SCR hands Richard Doyle, Art Koustik, Martha McFarland,

Devon Raymond and Howard Shangraw will be back to bring Dickens’ classic

to life once more. Performances are being given at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays

through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 4 p.m. Sundays at

SCR, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Call (714) 708-5555 for more

information.

“La Posada Magica,” a contemporary Latino Christmas play by Octavio

Solis, with music by Marcos Loya, will be staged this year by Diane

Rrodriguez, making her SCR directing debut.

Tiffany Ellen Solano enacts the central role of the embittered teen

Gracie, with regulars Teresa Velarde and Denise Blasor returning among a

cast of “Posada” newcomers. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through

Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sundays through

Christmas Eve at the above address and phone number.

At the Trilogy, 2930 Bristol St. in The Lab, Alicia Butler is

directing “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail,” which is recommended for

youngsters older than 3. The Milne story has been adapted with music and

lyrics by James W. Rodgers.

Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and 3 and 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

from Friday through Dec. 23. Call the playhouse at (714) 957-3347, Ext.

1, for more information.

Speaking of the Trilogy, the theater will hold auditions from 6:30 to

9 p.m. Dec. 12 for the vintage comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Roles are

open for 11 men from ages 25 to 55, one woman 25 to 35 and the two lethal

aunties from 45 to 55. “Arsenic and Old Lace” will open Feb. 9 for a

three-weekend engagement. Information is available at the above number.

* TOM TITUS writes about and reviews local theater for the Daily

Pilot. His columns appear Thursdays and Saturdays.