A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

The holiday season is a tough time for some people. There's less daylight, and it there's always a busybody urging you to "be jolly" and get into the "festive spirit." Hectoring doesn't make people happy — but what often does work is A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown is one of those guys who has trouble finding his Christmas spirit when surrounded by crass commercialism. Greedy siblings, a school play heavy on spectacle and low on meaning, and constant criticism from his peers only send Charlie further into despair. And yet, when Linus reminds everybody of the reason for the season and the group comes together to apologize and sing carols in the yard, that's when joy resounds. The heartwarming holiday pick-me-up is recreated on stage by actors in A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage. The show features the Vince Guaraldi score and an audience sing-along, and it takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 6, at the Stifel Theatre (1400 Market Street; www.stifeltheatre.com). Tickets are $20 to $55.