´Tis the Season (Already?)

Alas, the stage can be a curse this time of year, when many of us yearn to enjoy the experience of the theater but not the act of watching (yet again) giant rats chase Clara 'round the Christmas tree or Bob Cratchit cower under the chilly gaze of Mr. Scrooge. Take heart as the Playhouse at Westport Plaza (635 Westport Plaza, Maryland Heights; 314-579-5076 or www.theplayhouseatwestport.com) offers up two new easy-going holiday shows that promise originality and laughter. Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold opens Wednesday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m., and Every Christmas Story Ever Told opens Friday, November 16, at 10:30 p.m. The former is the third installment of the Late Night Catechism series, and the latter is a light-hearted satire of Christmas entertainment in general. Catechism continues through Monday, December 24, and Christmas Story runs through Sunday, December 2. Tickets are $29.50 to $41.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Nov. 14. Continues through Dec. 24, 2007