Curtain Calls: Whimsical ‘Seussical’ at Berkeley Playhouse is about nothing and everything

Put your imagination to the test this holiday season with the whimsical musical “Seussical,” running through Sunday at Berkeley Playhouse.

“It seems like ‘Seussical’ is about chaos and about nothing and everything, and it’s about some real deep human issues that can be felt by kids of 4 and adults of 90,” said Director William Thomas Hodgson. “This is a family show, it’s a holiday show, it’s a feel-good show, it is a raucous show. There’s a lot of dancing and colors and interaction.”

Hodgson knows what he’s talking about, having performed as Cat in the Hat in the Playhouse’s 2011 production of “Seussical.”

According to Artistic Director Kimberly Dooley: “It’s an absolute delight to see him [Hodgson] come full circle and get to be in the director’s seat. This show is so much fun, the characters and stories are zany and vibrant, and there are some really heartfelt moments that leave you feeling inspired. We also have some families performing in the cast and that’s incredibly fun to see our community mirrored in this intergenerational musical.”

The large adult cast also features two alternating youth casts. Visit tickets.berkeleyplayhouse.org to see which cast is playing at the various performances and to purchase tickets. You can also call 510-845-8542 ext. 351 or email boxoffice@berkeleyplayhouse.org.

Lafayette: If you’re looking for a slightly different Christmas story for your family, Town Hall Theatre’s “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” would be a great choice. The show by Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald and John Alvarez closes Saturday, so you only have a few performances left.

Directed by Ciera Eis, the fast-paced, very funny spoof features three versatile performers in Kristy Aquino, Benjamin Garcia and Cecilia Palmtag performing a myriad of characters as they mash together traditions from around the world and seasonal icons from pop-culture into a satisfying whole.

Palmtag begins the play on a serious note with the opening speech of “A Christmas Carol” only to be continually interrupted by Aquino who doesn’t want to do the part of Marley (or any other part in the holiday show) for the umpteenth time. Garcia agrees with Aquino and soon bits and pieces of other characters such as The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown and characters from Dickens pop in and out of the action.

The performers quickly transform from one character to another with Aquino having so much energy I’d swear she has springs on her feet as she frolics across the stage.

Palmtag quickly impresses with her rendition of “A Christmas Carol” followed by The Grinch and many more. She makes the ending both hilarious and poignant as she switches back and forth from Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” (with Garcia playing the other roles) to George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life” (with Aquino taking on characters in Bailey’s life).

Given his sketch comedy and improv experience, Garcia more than holds his own with all the various characters especially those from “A Christmas Carol,” given he played all 34 characters in the radio play version of the holiday favorite.

Carlos-Antonio Aceves’ versatile set allows for quick transitions with Peyton Whiteside amassing the very important props, Charlie A. Mejia providing the important lighting changes and Ava Byrd designing the costumes.

Remaining performances are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. plus Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. at 3535 School St. in Lafayette. The show has clever dialog adults will enjoy with lots of physical comedy for children. For tickets, call 925-283-1557 or go to townhalltheatre.com/every-christmas-story.

Also in Lafayette: The Big Jangle (a live Tom Petty Experience) teams up with The Bell Brothers and Town Hall Theatre for a special fundraising event for Youth Homes. “Jangle Bells” takes place Sunday at 2 p.m. at Town Hall.

Get into the spirit of the season by enjoying good music benefiting a worthy cause. Go to townhalltheatre.com/jangle-bells for tickets.

Berkeley: The “clown prince of fools” invites audiences (ages 3 and up) to the Marsh Berkeley for some classic slapstick humor, hambone hijinks and silly shenanigans. Performed by Unique Derique, “Fool La La: Gift!” performs Dec. 26-30 at 1 p.m. at 2120 Allston Way.

For tickets, go to themarsh.org.

S.F.: The American Conservatory Theater has replaced its traditional version of “A Christmas Carol” with the premiere of Craig Lucas and Pam MacKinnon’s funny adaption “Whynot Christmas Carol” through Dec. 24 at Toni Rembe Theater on 415 Geary St. in San Francisco.

Here a small theater troupe tries to put on their director’s new version of the classic with too little time and money. From first rehearsal to opening night, the audience peaks behind the scenes as these sometimes-reluctant thespians deal with prop mishaps, dance blunders and more.

For tickets, call 415-749-2228 or go to act-sf.org.

Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.