From the songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the critically-acclaimed films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, A Christmas Story, The Musical, brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Set in 1940s Indiana, a young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Associated Press calls A Christmas Story, The Musical "a joyous Christmas miracle," while The New York Times writes "I was dazzled. You'd have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face."

Immerse yourself in the enchantment of Dr. Seuss' timeless festive tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas as it springs to life on stage. The show is replete with the beloved songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Through this touching holiday staple, The Grinch realizes that Christmas holds greater significance than what he initially expected. Max the Dog acts as the storyteller, as the cunning and ill-tempered Grinch, who has a heart that is "two sizes too small," sets out to rob the jubilant Whos of their Christmas joy. They are an exuberant group, whose happiness knows no bounds during the festive season. Revel in the festive season with this production, which The New York Times acclaimed as "100 times better than any bedtime story!"

Actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen's fun, fresh spin on the classic holiday ballet returns to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker gives the seasonal favorite a rich new cultural context and updated characters, and features a lively contemporary score with original songs from multiple-Grammy-winner Mariah Carey and others. After young Kara receives a nutcracker filled with hot chocolate, she falls asleep and journeys to enchanted lands, including Candy Cane Lane, Egypt, the Rainforest, Jazzland, Russia and the Land of the Kimono Dolls. Great for all ages, little ones will have no trouble following along thanks to the narration by three wisecracking mice.

In this captivating one-woman show, witness the journey of a young woman who dreams of making it big in Hollywood, only to find herself entangled in the web of a wealthy, eccentric film director. Despite their unconventional bond and striking age gap, their mutual passion for film and theater fuels their connection. Embodying the belief that true worth and validation stem from within, she struggles to reclaim her self-esteem and gain the fortitude to break free from her turbulent past. This poignant fictional narrative of self-discovery, love, betrayal, and redemption is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art.

Thanksgiving. Christmas. Hanukkah. New Year's Eve. Everyone knows that November and December are THE months for holiday festivities. But these are just a few of the holidays and traditions celebrated around the globe at this time of year. For Force of Nature Productions' 5th original, holiday-themed short play festival, we invite you to take a trip around the world with us, and discover some of the lesser-known holiday celebrations!

A real Christmas crowd-pleaser with lots of laughs and nostalgia, this fun musical parodies the hit film Die Hard on the 35th anniversary of that action classic's release. New York cop John McClane flies to Los Angeles to visit his estranged wife Holly for Christmas. But soon after he shows up at Nakatomi Plaza for her office work party, terrorists take over the building and it's up to John to save the day.

You better watch out, you better not cry, because something magical is coming to the Playhouse this holiday season. Sam Pinkleton, the creative mind behind 2021's production of Head Over Heels, returns to the Playhouse to sleigh audiences with a brand-new holiday show that's sure to leave you feeling merry and bright. So get ready to jingle all the way and join us for a holly jolly spectacular you'll never forget.

The music. The moves. The icon. Now, the unparalleled artistry of the greatest entertainer of all time comes to Los Angeles as MJ, the multi Tony Award-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.

In her widely celebrated one-woman show, revered comedian Kate Berlant explores the events of her life that have brought her to this moment. Embodying many characters in this tour de force performance, she expertly morphs before our eyes and exposes a truth she has, until now, kept hidden.

Two young men meet on a train; one an ambitious architect, the other a playboy with a taste for danger. As the train takes them to their destination, the two travelers speculate on what would it be like to commit the perfect murder. With a Private Investigator on their case, little do they know that their lives will soon become fatally linked forever.

WEST COAST PREMIERE! A new musical you'll love at first slice! The Julia Roberts movie is now a delightful new show! Based on the classic 1988 movie, MYSTIC PIZZA charts the lives and loves of three unforgettable waitresses in the harbor town of Mystic, CT.

Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet gives Shakespeare's timeless story of forbidden love a scintillating injection of raw passion and youthful vitality. Confined against their will by a society that seeks to divide, our two young lovers must follow their hearts as they risk everything to be together. A masterful re-telling of an ageless tale of teenage discovery and the madness of first love, Romeo and Juliet garnered universal critical acclaim when it premiered in 2019, and now returns to the New Adventures repertoire alongside the very best of Bourne's world renowned dance theatre productions.

Triple-Olivier Award nominee, Kate Prince, has created a sensational dance-theatre show called MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE. The show is inspired by the legendary hits of 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting, such as Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Walking On The Moon and more. With a fusion of breath-taking athleticism, high-energy footwork, and exhilarating dance styles, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE narrates a unifying and uplifting story of hope and humanity.

A classic masterpiece by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, this heart-pounding thriller will shock the senses with diabolical comedy, stunning terror, and razor-sharp wit. Savor the macabre madness as a murderous barber, hungry for revenge for his long-lost family, strikes a partnership with a beastly baker. Filled with extraordinary, soaring music, this eight-time Tony Award winner will leave you gasping!

This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway-from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and finger-snapping 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy's journey to find her place in a contemporary world. Audiences get to enjoy the epic grooves of such beloved, timeless hits as "Ease on Down the Road," which became the show's break-out single, and the bona fide classic "Home" in this spectacular revival.

After 25 years, CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy- shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. No wonder CHICAGO has been honored with 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and thousands of standing ovations. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary - you've got to come see why the name on everyone's lips is still...CHICAGO.

The ultimate family showdown is on in the world premiere of this new comedy commissioned by Pasadena Playhouse. When the "perfect" Latina daughter brings her boyfriend home to meet the parents, her family's biases and preconceptions are put on full display. As tensions run high and hilarity ensues, everyone must navigate the ins and outs of family dynamics and the boundaries of acceptance - all while tackling the age-old question: what does it truly mean to be an American? Meet your new favorite family in this laugh-out-loud, heartfelt story from Gloria Calderón Kellett, the co-creator and showrunner of Netflix's One Day at a Time.

King Hedley II continues the stories of characters first introduced in Seven Guitars and shows the tragic realities for Black men in 1980's, Reagan-era Pittsburgh. After seven years in prison, King attempts to rebuild his life, peddling stolen refrigerators to get the money to buy a video store. But his self-worth is built on self-delusion, and he plants seeds where nothing will grow.

The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including "Don't Rain On My Parade," "I'm the Greatest Star," and "People." This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she'd never be a star, but then something funny happened-she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Following well-received engagements on Broadway and its premiere city Toronto, this new hit musical based on true events will launch its first-ever national tour in Seattle in October 2018! Nominated for eight Tony Awards and nine Drama Desk gongs, this is a musical that celebrates human endurance, compassion and bravery under dreadful circumstances. Written by Canadian husband and wife team Irene Snakoff and David Hein, this surprise hit is the toast of Broadway.

One summer day, an early 20th century English undergarment mogul and his family entertain friends and unexpected visitors at their country estate. Through their lively debate and subsequent antics - including eight marriage proposals and one plane crash - the audience is treated to a satiric comedy of manners that exposes chaotic clashes of class, gender, and generations.

It's 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. Experience this 'profoundly beautiful' production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.

When legendary musician Jelly Roll Morton's soul is forced to face the music, the self-proclaimed "inventor of jazz" is left at the ultimate crossroads. Follow Jelly from the back alleys of New Orleans to the sparkling stages of New York, as his remarkable journey unfolds in a stunning display of song, dance, and music. With soulful melodies, electrifying tap dancing, and fiery tunes that will leave you breathless, get your groove on with this dazzling musical masterpiece.

The ground-breaking and critically acclaimed winner of every 'Best Musical' award on Broadway, and the Pulitzer Prize, bursts onto the stage for a limited engagement, direct from Broadway. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher, a young, gay, Black writer who hates his day job, writes a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who's writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer...a strange loop. Usher grapples with desires, identity, and instincts he both loves and loathes, all brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-talking ensemble.

Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. A hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, MRS. DOUBTFIRE is the musical comedy we need right now - one that proves we're better together.

This high-flying musical has been delighting audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new production directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price with additional book by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse. The adventure begins when PETER PAN and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of pixie dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. This extraordinary musical full of excitement and adventure features iconic and timeless songs including "I'm Flying", "I Gotta Crow", "I Won't Grow Up" and "Neverland". PETER PAN embraces the child in us all so go on a journey from the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning - your entire family will be Hooked!

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they'll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

It's Bobbie's 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, Why isn't she married? Why can't she find the right man and isn't it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st-century could drive a person crazy.

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they'll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

During the course of two days, he grows from an idealistic boy to a mature young man as he struggles with the unfairness of the world around him and the pain of families to whom he delivers the War Department's death notices.