5 local holiday theater productions to check out this December

Looking to add some festive entertainment to your holiday season? Local theater companies have what you're looking for this year.

From a campy musical based on a live radio broadcast at Joan Crawford's mansion to a live stage production of an animated Christmas classic, there's a variety of holiday productions staged by local theater companies to choose from.

Here's our picks for holiday plays and musicals this year:

‘Christmas With The Crawfords’

Desert Theatreworks presents this campy Christmas classic and musical parody at Margaritaville Resort based on a 1949 live radio broadcast from Joan Crawford’s Brentwood mansion, featuring appearances by icons such as Judy Garland, Carmen Miranda, Gloria Swanson, Hedda Hopper and the Andrews Sisters.

If you go: Multiple performances through Dec. 30, Margaritaville Resort, 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Tickets $49.95. dtworks.org

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

A greedy letter to Santa, an unruly Christmas play cast, a piddly Christmas tree with a single ornament — it sounds like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and that’s what Theatre 29 is performing live on stage. Enjoy experiences before and after such as a crafts station, holiday classics sung by Theatre 29 favorite Robin Wilson and the evening ends with a sing-a-long

If you go: Multiple performances Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, Theatre 29, 73-637 Sullivan Road., Twentynine Palms. $10 to $15. theatre29.org

‘A Christmas Story’

The classic film based on Jean Shepherd’s writings about his childhood holiday experiences comes to life in this play by Desert Theatreworks. The story follows the main character Ralphie and the only item on his Christmas wish list, a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle.

If you go: Multiple performances Dec. 1 through Dec. 21, Desert Theatreworks, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio. $38 to $40. dtworks.org

‘Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol’

Everyone is familiar with Charles Dickens’ literary masterpiece “A Christmas Carol,” but this play at Revolution Stage Company — based on a short note in Dickens’ journal — features him at the center as the characters of the story argue, debate and persuade him while writing his most celebrated work.

If you go: Multiple performances Dec. 1 through Dec. 23, Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. revolutionstagecompany.com

‘Elf: The Musical’

The 2003 film “Elf” starring Will Farrell has become a beloved holiday staple. Palm Canyon Theatre will bring the musical version of the film to life, following Buddy the Elf's journey to New York in search of his family.

If you go: Multiple performances Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Tickets $20 to $41. palmcanyontheatre.net

Related: From Gladys Knight to Barry Manilow, here's our guide to Coachella Valley holiday concerts

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 5 local holiday theater productions to check out this December