L.A theater openings, Nov. 30-Dec. 7: ‘Northanger Abbey’ and more

Box Tale Soup brings its puppet-powered adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” to the Edye, and six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald graces the stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Plus, four versions of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at five area venues.

A Christmas Carol with Charles Dickens Independent Shakespeare Co. re-creates a public reading by the Victorian-era author. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Mon., 7 p.m. $28. (310) 208-5454. Also, Independent Shakespeare Co. in the Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., #168, Atwater Village. Sat., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $20, $25. (818) 710-6306.

Audra McDonald The six-time Tony winner performs show tunes, standards and more. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $52.50-$124. (323) 850-2000.

Dueling Drag Divas Variety show with Joanna, Chi Chi Rones and more. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

Luna Gale Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Rebecca Gilman’s drama about a social worker trying to save the infant daughter of two drug-addicted teens. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $25-$55. (213) 628-2772.

Into the Woods Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of the Tony-winning Sondheim musical. Bram Goldsmith Theater, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $29-$110. (310) 746-4000.

Don’t Tell My Mother! The Ho! Ho! Holiday Show Comedy event features true-life tales and special guest Ben Gleib (“Idiotest”). Busby’s East, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $15. (323) 525-2615.

La Virgen De Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin 11th annual reenactment of the Virgin Mary’s visitations with peasant Juan Diego in 16th-century Mexico; in Spanish with English supertitles. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free; reserved seating, $35. (866) 811-4111.

A Christmas Carol Dickens’ classic tale. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m.; ends Dec. 24. $26-$30. (818) 244-8481.

Fruit Fly Leslie Jordan’s solo show about growing up gay in the Deep South. L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $35. (323) 860-7300.

Hellcab A Chicago cabbie encounters colorful characters at Christmastime in Will Kern’s collection of darkly comic tales. Elephant Stages, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Thu., next Sun., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $20. (323) 962-0046.

KAWL Presents It’s a Wonderful Life A 1940s-era radio station puts its own spin on the Frank Capra classic in this holiday tale. Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20. (818) 849-4039.

The Long Run: Experience the Eagles Tribute show re-creates a performance by the 1970s-’80s rock band. Monroe Forum at the El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 14. $42, $46. (818) 508-4200.

Piñata Dreams World premiere of Josefina Lopez’s family-friendly holiday comedy. New Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 28. $15-$20. (323) 263-7684.

Possum Carcass World premiere of David Bucci’s Chekov-inspired tale about artistic types in NYC’s gritty Lower East Side. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 10. $20, $25. (323) 856-8611.

The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue The improv-comedy troupe returns. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Thu.-Fri., 8:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $15 and up. (858) 550-1010.

Twilight Zone UnScripted: Holiday Edition Impro Theatre improvises comic tales in the style of the classic TV series. Carrie Hamilton Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20, $30. (626) 356-7529.

Almost, Maine John Cariani’s collection of fantastical romantic tales; with “Fargo’s” Allison Tolman. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $25.

The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever Joe Marshall’s holiday farce returns. Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center, 11006 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 27. $20.

The Latina Christmas Special Three comics share autobiographical tales of holidays past. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20. (323) 962-1632.

Northanger Abbey The two-person British theater company Box Tale Soup uses puppets and handmade props in this comedic adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2, 5 and 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 14. $50, $75. (310) 434-3200.

The Santaland Diaries David Sedaris’ solo comedy about his days as a department-store elf; Matt Crabtree stars. Working Stage Theater, 1516 N. Gardner St., West Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Santasia — A Holiday Comedy Seasonal satire mixes snark, sentiment, music and more. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 25. $25, $35. (818) 990-2324.

She Loves Me Tony-winning musical based on the play that also inspired “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail.” Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 28. $20-$45. (714) 777-3033.

Telenovela Wives of Pancho Villa The Mexican revolutionary heads home for the holidays in Jeffrey Atick’s satire; for ages 16 and up. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $12. (323) 962-1632.

Twelfth Night The City Shakespeare Company presents a bawdy, not-for-kids version of the Bard’s comedy. The CityShakes Studio, 1454 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $34.99. (800) 838-3006.

WestFest Annual showcase for new plays concludes. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends next Sun., 2 p.m. $5-$20. (323) 851-7977.

Morrison Christmas All-new psychedelia-infused holiday show. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $15. (818) 202-4120.

A Christmas Carol Dickens’ holiday fable, with original music. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 23. $48 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

A Christmas Carol South Coast Rep’s 35th annual presentation. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., noon and 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 27. $21, $26. (714) 708-5555.

La Vispera (The Eve) Holiday tale inspired by stories from the local immigrant community; with English supertitles. 24th Street Theatre, 1117 W. 24th St., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 14. 24 cents. (213) 745-6516.

Striking 12 OC premiere of this modern-day musical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl.” Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 28. $41-$66. (949) 497-2787.

The Best Brothers U.S. premiere of Daniel MacIvor’s comedy about estranged siblings reunited by a family tragedy. The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $35-$75. (805) 965-5400.

Bob’s Holiday Office Party Satire set in an insurance office in Iowa. Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20, $25. (310) 204-4440.

A Tuna Christmas Two actors play multiple characters in this Texas-set comedy. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $23-$57. (805) 667-2900.

Wonderful Life Jason Lott’s family-friendly solo show based on Frank Capra’s holiday fable. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 24. $10. (323) 962-1632.

Love, Noel: The Letters and Songs of Noel Coward With Harry Groener and Sharon Lawrence. Lovelace Studio Theatre, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $70, $90. (310) 746-4000.

The Odyssey: Heroic Tales From Greek Mythology Kid-friendly take on Homer’s classic. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $10-$15. (562) 944-9801.

The Seriously Neurotic Dream of Mary Shelley Carla Cackowski’s new solo comedy about the “Frankenstein” author. VS Theater, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 14. $15. (323) 739-4411.