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Theater: New and Noteworthy

New This Week An American Christmas Songbook (Bristol Riverside Theatre). It's sing-along time as Keith Baker and the BRT Concert Band take the stage for holiday favorites. Thursday through next Sunday, and Dec. 14-18.

New This Week

An American Christmas Songbook (Bristol Riverside Theatre). It's sing-along time as Keith Baker and the BRT Concert Band take the stage for holiday favorites. Thursday through next Sunday, and Dec. 14-18.

Antagonyms (Curio Theatre Company). Four young Philadelphians grapple with past and present in a noir search for identity. Through Dec. 17.

A Christmas Carol (Delaware Theatre Company). Energetic version as five actors take on all the roles in Dickens' sprawling tale. Wednesday through Dec. 31.

A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theater). A new, reimagined version, promising more magic and merriment. Friday through Dec. 31.

The Nutcracker (Pa. Ballet/Academy of Music). The beloved George Balanchine version, to Tchaikovsky's music. Friday through next Sunday, and Dec. 16-18, 22-24, and 26-31.

The Nutcracker (Brandywine Ballet). Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy take us to the Land of Sweets. Friday through next Sunday, and Dec. 15-18.

This Wonderful Life (Act II Playhouse, Ambler). The popular one-man version of the classic film It's a Wonderful Life. Tuesday through Dec. 24.

Wilde Tales (Quintessence Theatre Group). An anthology musical, with puppets and people, reenacting Oscar Wilde's tales for kids. Wednesday through Dec. 31.

Continuing

Reviewed by Nancy Chen (N.C.), Bill Chenevert (B.C.), Hugh Hunter (H.H.), Julia M. Klein (J.M.K.) , Jim Rutter (J.R.), and Toby Zinman (T.Z.).

All's Well That Ends Well (Philadelphia Artists' Collective). Shakespeare's Helena, one of his best female characters, can do anything but make Bertram love her. Wednesday through Dec. 17.

Black Nativity (New Freedom Theatre). A reimagining of Langston Hughes' reimagining of the Nativity story - this time set in Darfur. Through Dec. 18.

The Carols (1812 Productions/Plays & Players Theatre). Jennifer Childs' original musical brings together some oddball folks at Christmastime 1943. Through Dec. 31.

A Child's Christmas in Wales (Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3). The Irish Repertory Theatre of New York's beautiful adaptation of Dylan Thomas' memoir. Warm, full of nostalgia. Through Dec. 23. - J.R.

A Christmas Carol (Walnut Street Theatre). It wouldn't be the holiday season without it. Through Dec. 22.

A Christmas Story (Media Theatre). Musical version of the great Jean Shepherd tale, doubling down on the nostalgia, keeping all the good things, and adding more. Through Jan. 8 - H.H.

Found (Philadelphia Theatre Company). A musical based on Davy Rothbart's mag/website of people's anonymous notes to self and the world. Polished, high-spirited fun. Through next Sunday. - J.M.K.

Godspell (Eagle Theatre, Hammonton, N.J.). The famed musical on faith and theater, in the round. A fresh, inspiring production, centering on comedy. Through next Sunday. - J.R.

Handle with Care (Montgomery Theater, Souderton). Christmas Eve in a seedy hotel. She has little command of English; he has little command of romance. A "Jewish Christmas story" that boils down to standard holiday fare. Ends Sunday. - N.C.

An Iliad (Lantern Theater Company). The Muse sings of the wrath of Achilles, the Trojan Horse, and a lady named Helen. Harnesses the enthralling power of Homer's war poem. Through next Sunday. - T.Z.

The Legend of Georgia McBride (Arden Theatre Group). An out-of-work Elvis impersonator finds occupational and personal salvation through drag. With Dito von Reigersberg of Martha Graham Cracker fame. A toe-tapping, tuneful joy. Ends Sunday. - B.C.

The Road: My Life with John Denver (People's Light). David Lutken stars as Denver in a road show of his greatest hits. Through Jan. 15.

Sleeping Beauty: A Musical Panto (People's Light). Keeps the great tradition of British panto alive, with song, action, and laughs. A charming production, visually and aurally dazzling. Through Jan. 15. - J.R.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Camden Repertory Theatre). They seem to be sleeping - but they magically dance all night. Through Dec. 17.

The Wizard of Oz (Walnut Street Theatre). The great tunes, great lines, great story, plus a few surprises. Amazing special effects, fine singing, and a great getaway from a world of turmoil. Through Jan. 8. - B.C.

A Year with Frog and Toad (Arden Theatre). They're back again - grumpy Toad and can-do Frog in the popular family show. Through Jan. 29.