Tis the season for Xmas theater

WE WERE hoping to put off this column for another couple weeks, but because "Elf," the musical version of the 2003 hit Christmas comedy starring Will Ferrell, opened Tuesday night at the Walnut Street Theatre, there's no getting around it: The holiday season is upon us.

Between now and the first week of the new year, venues throughout the region will present a cornucopia (to use a great holiday word) of seasonally themed and holiday-appropriate (and even inappropriate) programs. These truly run the artistic gamut from the as-traditional-as-it-gets Christmas story, to the nonseasonal blockbuster, to the ultra-cutting edge experience.

So, to help you make your holiday-theater choices, here is a sampling of what's in store during the next eight weeks or so. And remember: Theater tickets make great stocking stuffers!

* "Elf"

An elf working in Santa's toy-making operation realizes he's actually human and sets out to find his parents.

Walnut Street Theatre, through Jan. 5, show times vary, $92.75-$71.75, 215-574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org. 

* "Flashdance The Musical"

The tale of a town that forbids fun and the young man who saves it is another screen-to-stage production.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Nov. 19-24, $105.50-$20, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19-21, 8 p.m. Nov. 22, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org. 

* "Beauty & The Beast"

The Disney-ized version of the classic fairy tale about the true meaning of "beauty" returns in all its anthropomorphic glory.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Nov. 19-24, $105.50-$20, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19-21, 8 p.m. Nov. 22, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org. 

* "No Reservations"

There likely won't be a lot of church groups attending this presentation that offers a new-and irreverent-spin on the Nativity. Suffice it to say this piece from Josh Piven, author of the best-seller, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, has been described as "a hipster generation, comedic take" on The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Skybox@The Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St., 3rd Floor, Nov. 26-Dec. 15, 8 p.m. Nov. 26, 29, 30, Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 2 p.m. Dec. 1, 8 and 15, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11, $25-$18, 267-225-7175, brownpapertickets.com/event/449685. 

* "The Big Time: New Vaudeville for the Holidays"

Local stage heavyweights Jen Childs, Scott Greer, Dave Jadico and Tony Braithwaite reteam for this new 1812 Productions piece that combines classic comedy sketches with original material that pays homage to the glory days of Vaudeville.

Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St., Nov. 29-Dec. 31, $40-$25, 215-592-9560, 1812productions.org. 

* "A Christmas Carol"

It wouldn't be the holiday season in this neck of the woods without the annual Princeton University staging of Charles Dickens' timeless tale of the power of love and redemption.

McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, Princeton, N.J., Dec. 6-29, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sat., 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sun., noon and 4 p.m. Dec. 24, 609-258-2787.

* "Jersey Boys"

It seems as if this hit-filled, warts-and-all biography of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons has already been through town 27 times.

Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., Dec. 11-Jan. 5, show times vary, $252-$40, telecharge.com. 

* "Murray the Elf and the Case of the Terrifying Tinsel"

A "Tinsel Monster" is on the loose at the North Pole, and Santa's elves have stopped working, so St. Nick calls in Murray the Elf to help save Christmas in this comedy-mystery aimed at the family trade.

Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, Dec. 21-28, 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 21, 11 a.m. Dec. 22 and 28, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 23, 24, 27, 11 a.m., $12 (adult), $10 (senior) and $8 (child). 215-654-0200, act2.org. 

* "I Love Lucy Live on Stage"

The legendary 1950s sitcom comes to life in this show that recreates the experience of attending the filming of two episodes at the old Desilu Studios in Hollywood.

Merriam Theater, Broad and Spruce streets, Dec. 26-29, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 26-28, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29, $75-$25, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org. 

Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman have been named to replace Jed Bernstein at New Hope's Bucks County Playhouse. Fraser will assume Bernstein's producing director role, while Goodman grabs the title of executive producer. Bernstein, a Broadway giant, is leaving to run Manhattan's famed Lincoln Center For the Performing Arts.

Fraser is a veteran Broadway producer whose credits include "Crazy For You" and "Kinky Boots," which copped this year's Tony for Best Musical.

Goodman is likewise a major player on the Great White Way, having produced such hits as "Avenue Q" and "In the Heights."

The pair assume their new duties in January.

Theater Philadelphia, the organization conceived to revive the Barrymore Awards for excellence in local theater, handed out three cash prizes during a Monday-night ceremony at Old City's Arden Theatre:

Comedian, actress and director Charlotte Ford received the $10,000 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist. The $25,000 Brown Martin Philadelphia Award was given to Arden Theatre Company's production of "Next to Normal" and 11th Hour Theatre Company received the $10,000 June and Steve Wolfson Award for an Evolving Theatre.