Holiday Shows and Performances for Seattle Families

ACT’s “A Christmas Carol”
For nearly 50 years, ACT’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” has been as much a Seattle tradition as Dickens’ original story, and for families, the 90-minute show is a rite of passage. Famously too scary for small children, there is an enforced minimum age of 5 to attend. Nov. 24–Dec. 24. $49–$94. ACT – A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle.

“A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol”
With dozens of audience suggestions redirecting the performers during the performance, Unexpected Productions Improv’s “A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol” might turn into something completely different from Dickens’ story. The one thing you can count on: Unexpected Productions will keep things family friendly. Nov. 24–Dec. 23. $20. Unexpected Productions, Seattle.

Harlequin Productions’ “A Christmas Carol”
Last year, Harlequin Productions introduced an all-new staging of its artistic director Aaron Lamb’s adaptation of this holiday classic, with new designs and special effects. But the story of transformation and redemption remains timeless. Nov. 24–Dec. 24. $33–$57. The State Theater, Olympia.

“’Twas the Night ….”
Studio East’s annual reimagining of the classic poem rejects the idea that not even a mouse was stirring on that special night before Christmas. With a man in red on the roof, there was bound to be some chaos. Expect runaway mice, hungry cats, the reindeer and of course, Santa, all performed by actors ages 6–19. Dec. 2–17. $23. Kirkland Teen Union Building, Kirkland.

Allen Fitzpatrick in “A Christmas Carol”
Allen Fitzpatrick, who worked with Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and has appeared in 28 productions at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, follows in the footsteps of Dickens himself, who performed public readings of the story for many years. Now in its third year, this solo adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” is becoming a Vashon Island holiday tradition. Dec. 16. $18–$25. Vashon Center for the Arts, Vashon.

Up next: Holiday theater