City Scene

Daily Journal Senior Correspondent

You’d have to be a real, well, Scrooge not to get into the spirit of the holidays at the American Conservatory Theater’s delightful production of A Christmas Carol. This multi-generational presentation features songs, dances and deliciously spooky ghosts, including a giant Ghost of Christmas Future puppet that takes over the entire stage. Part of the fun is seeing the youngest members of the audience watching the story for the first time. Written by Charles Dickens. Adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh. Directed by Domenique Lozano. Two hours with a 20-minute intermission. Through Dec. 24.

TICKETS:

Tickets can be purchased from the A.C.T. box office at 405 Geary St., by phone at (415) 749-2228, or online through www.act-sf.org. VIP tickets, available for all performances, include Premiere seating, a souvenir book, access to the Carol lounge during intermission and intermission treats.

STAGE DIRECTIONS:

A.C.T. is located at 415 Geary St., just off Union Square in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Parking is available one block away at the Mason/O’Farrell Garage, 325 Mason St. Show your theater ticket stub to receive a discount. By public transit: the theater is a relatively level four-block walk from the Bart-Powell Street Station (Market Street).

AN ASIDE:

A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff said, "Dramatizations of A Christmas Carol have become an important American family ritual at holiday time, regardless of individual religious background or faith. Parents and grandparents have told us that the Carol experience is more important than ever.”

OH, AND DID YOU KNOW?:

Now in its 34th year at A.C.T, A Christmas Carol has been performed nearly 1,000 times to a collective audience of 800,000, and has employed nearly 1,000 actors and 600 backstage staff.

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The Carol cast includes the entire third-year class of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program, many of whom traditionally receive their Actors’ Equity cards as a result of their participation in A Christmas Carol.

SCENE AROUND:

The BIG GREEN GUY and his girl get out on the town as Eric Petersen (Shrek) and Haven Burton (Princess Fiona) of Shrek the Musical, along with special guests Debbie Gibson and Jason Brock, perform a benefit concert at San Francisco’s Theatre 39 on Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf, Monday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. General seating, $35. Preferred seating of $65 gets you the show and entry to the cast dessert party at Hard Rock Café. 2 hour validated parking available at the Pier 39 garage. Proceeds benefit the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. (415) 273-1620 or HelpIsOnTheWay.org.

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Move over, reindeer: Horses will be stealing the spotlight this holiday season as Cavalia, the magical, live stage journey exploring the relationship between human and horse, extends its San Francisco run through Jan. 2. The additional dates include matinee performances during the holidays. Cavalia’s family-friendly nature makes the show an ideal activity during the winter break. (866) 999-8111 or visit www.cavalia.net.

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There’s still time to see THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare, directed by Rob Melrose, presented by Cutting Ball Theater at EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor St. This three-person chamber version gives an up close and personal look at the monsters lurking inside all of us. Through Dec. 19. BrownPaperTickets.com (800) 838-3006.

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The Obie award-winning musical CORALINE, based on the 2002 multi-award-winning fantasy/horror novella by British author Neil Gaiman, continues at SF Playhouse near Union Square through Jan. 15. (415) 677-9596 or www.sfplayhouse.org.

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Luis Bravo’s "Forever Tango,” starring Cheryl Burke, two-time "Dancing with the Stars” champion and Bay Area native, comes to the Marines Memorial Theatre near Union Square, Dec. 21 through Jan. 9. Through music, dance and vignettes, the production traces the tango’s colorful history, from its beginnings in turn-of-the-century Buenos Aires bordellos to its acceptance into high society. (415) 771-6900 or www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com.

Susan Cohn can be reached at susan@smdailyjournal.com or www.twitter.com/susancityscene.