Open auditions for LifeHouse Theater’s production of The Cross and the Switchblade, directed by Jordan Beck, will be Thursday, December 17, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at LifeHouse Theater, 1135 N. Church Street, Redlands.

Auditions will be held on a first come-first served basis.  Those auditioning should be at least ten years of age and bring a theatrical resume and a recent photo to leave with the audition panel.  A Polaroid photo can be taken at the audition for a $2 fee.  All are welcome and roles are open for men and women.  Men are especially encouraged to audition. (Read on …)

Riverside Youth Theatre will hold auditions for both shows Monday, January 11, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.  Auditions will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church, Back Building, 3624 Arlington Avenue, Riverside.

For more infomation, visit www.RiversideYouthTheatre.org or follow the links below for show-specific information.

• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Star of Wonder: The Civil War Christmas Play is the original play written by Cyndi Monroe, adapted with permission from a short story by Owen Parry in his book, Our Simple Gifts. Set on Christmas Eve 1862, Star of Wonder tells the intimate tale of a soldier’s wish to be home and a widow’s wish for a miracle.  When their paths cross through the most unlikely circumstances it sets in motion a chain events that will change their lives forever.  An inspiring play that is exciting, romantic, joyful and heartwarming: A perfect combination for a Christmas play the whole family will love!

Tickets on sale on-line: http://www.catcorona.org/  or through the CAT Box Office: 951-279-2298.

All performances at the Corona Civic Theater, 815 W. 6th St., in Corona.

San Bernardino Valley College Theatre Arts presents You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown December 2-6 at 701 S. Mt. Vernon in San Bernardino.

Box office opens an hour before showtime. Doors open a half hour before.

Ticket Prices:
General: $12
Students/Senior/Military: $10
Children under 12: $8

Tickets are available at www.sbvcbookstore.com or by calling 909-384-8243.

The Grove Theater presents The Elves and the Shoemaker.  Performances begin Friday, December 4th and run on weekends  through Saturday, December 19th.

The shoemaker has a kind heart but little money in his pocket. Moved by the plight of an old beggar man, he gives him his last pair of shoes. The poor shoemaker has leather enough to make only one more pair of shoes and sets out to work on them on Christmas Eve. Then, the fun begins! Out pop five weird, endearing little elves who whip up the most fantastic and magical shoes the little town has ever seen. Here’s an upbeat, fast-paced retelling of an old favorite, based on a Grimm fairy tale, filled with delightfully wacky characters, clever dialogue and fun music. This upbeat, whimsical romp of a fantasy also holds a gentle message about the nature of kindness.

Ticket prices are $20 and $15 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 909-920-4343 or visiting the Box Office at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA. 91786. Box Office hours are 11 am – 4 pm Monday to Friday and 11 am – 2 pm on Saturdays except holidays. For more information about shows At The Grove visit www.grovetheatre.com.

Act One Theater Arts presents Annie – a junior production of the original broadway play.

Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil doings, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Performances are December 3rd and 4th at 7 pm, and December 5th at Noon and 4 pm at the Bob Burton Center for Performing Arts in Fallbrook, CA.   For tickets and more information:  (951) 304-1010 or visit the website at http://www.act1theaterarts.com/

The Inland Stage Company (formerly MRT) presents A Christmas Carol December 3 through 20 at the Esplanade Arts Center.  Directed by veteran Inland Empire thespian Paul Jacques, the show will be the second production that the Inland Stage has performed at the new Esplanade Art Center.

“It’s exciting to work with the recently renamed Inland Stage Company in their new performing space,” Jacques said. “I think its wonderful that such a reputable group like Stage Company occupies the Esplanade Arts Center in San Jacinto.”

Jacques has made some changes to the show in hopes of enhancing the classic tale.

“This production has a couple of scenes that are expansions on mentions within the book designed to give more depth to some of the events that helped shape Scrooge,” said Director Paul Jacques. “Also, there is no narrator. The familiar phrases contained in the prologue and epilogue are spoken by the characters that they most closely relate to.” (Read on …)

Fontana Community Players Youth Group is proud to present “We Need a Little Christmas Show” featuring “A Place Called Christmas”, written by Whitney Ryan Garrity and directed by Lynette Allen.

Five toys venture out to find a place called Christmas. With the help of two
quarreling elves and a Good Fairy, the toys discover the true meaning of
Christmas.

Show dates:
Saturday December 5 at 7:30pm
Sunday December 6 at 2:30pm

Located at the Steelworker’s Auditorium: 8437 Sierra Avenue in Fontana.  909-827-4809

The board of directors of the Redlands Shakespeare Festival is pleased to announce that the classical theater organization will expand its annual theatrical offerings to include the presentation of a traditional Passion play Easter weekend. “The Passion of Easter” will be presented April 2-4, 2010 at the Redlands Bowl. The full-scale production will be fashioned after the Passion plays of historical tradition, and will feature a large cast of more than 50 people. (Read on …)

Calling all Youth Performers!

Riverside Youth Theatre presents Inland Empire Youth Theatre Competition.  Auditions will be held December 5 from 9:00-11:00 am or
December 7-9 4:00-6:00 pm at the Fellowship Baptist Church, 3624 Arlington Avenue in Riverside. (Read on …)