Christmas comes to stages throughout the region

Cast members in the 2011 production of Uh Oh Here Comes Christmas are, from left, Kelly Fandrey, Paula Larsen, Tom French, and Megan Carter.

It's the season for Christmas shows opening this weekend as Toledo area theaters present productions of A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, Uh-Oh Here Comes Christmas, and a Holiday Spectacular.

The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future will keep Ebenezer Scrooge up most of the night in Toledo and Bowling Green as the Toledo Repertoire Theatre presents its 26th production of A Christmas Carol at the Valentine Theatre and Bowling Green State University Department of Theatre and Film continues its annual tradition on campus.

(See story on page W3 and calendar for information about the Toledo Rep's production.)

"A Christmas Carol" will be performed at 8 p.m. today through Saturday at Bowling Green State University Donnell Theatre, Wolfe Center for the Arts, Bowling Green. Matinee performances will be at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and non-BGSU students, and $1.75 for BGSU students. Information: 419-372-8171.

In Adrian, Kris Kringle steps into Macy's Department Store to play himself after an intoxicated duplicate is fired this weekend when Croswell Opera House presents Miracle on 34th Street.

Kringle is accused of being insane yet manages to spread love and joy among cynics and critics while leaving people wondering if he truly is Santa Claus. This musical is based on the 1947 film of the same name. The score includes "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," Santa Claus is Coming to Town," and "Joy to the World."

"Miracle on 34th Street" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 8 at Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Matinee performances are at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, and Dec. 9. Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and students, and $15 for children. Information:517-264-7469 or croswell.org.

Lourdes University Drama Society presents its fifth annual production of Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas opening Friday in Ebeid Student Center.

This family-friendly show is a series of vignettes from Robert Fulgham's short stories showcasing heart-warming and sometimes funny ways to find the holiday spirit.

"Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas" will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Lourdes University Ebeid Student Center on the lower level of Delp Hall, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania . Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors. 419-517-8881 or www.lourdes.edu.

In Lima, the Ohio Northern University departments of theater and drama take their show on the road this weekend to perform a Holiday Spectacular at Lima's Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center. Holiday carols, Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, ballerinas, and toy soldiers will help ring in the season.

"Holiday Spectacular" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, 7 Town Square, Lima. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5. Information: 419-224-1552.

Prize Money

The audience will decide who gets the top three prizes today as acts compete for cash in Henry County's Got Talent at John L. Johnson Auditorium in Napoleon.

Thirteen acts including soloists, ensembles, a comedian, and an impersonator will vie for bragging rights and cash as a three-judge panel narrows the competition to five and the audience chooses the best three who will earn $250, $150, or $100.

"Henry County's Got Talent" performances will be at 7 tonight in John L. Johnson Auditorium, 303 W. Main St., Napoleon. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Information: 419-592-1786 or mvctohio.org.

Deadly Chocolate

A down-on-his luck private eye might save his career if he can figure out who's killing whom this weekend in Death By Chocolate when Archbold Community Theatre opens it 2012-2013 season.

This comedy/mystery winds its way through characters including Coco Purvis and her sister, Bonbon, who run a coffee shop where its signature drink, Death By Chocolate, is holding true to its name.

"Death By Chocolate" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 8 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Giffey Hall, 20369 County Rd. X, Ridgeville Corners, Ohio. Advance tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. Tickets at the door are $10. Dinner is available 90 minutes before show time. Dinner tickets are $25. Information: 419-267-5717 or archboldcommunitytheatre.com.

Send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com.