It's a Wonderful Life The Arts Club's annual holiday production is buoyed by Bob Frazer (one of the city's most lauded actors), playing George Bailey, the Depression-era banker whose miserable life is reviewed by a doting guardian angel (a scene-stealing Bernard Cuffling) on Christmas Eve. Dean Paul Gibson's direction - which playfully injects the action with references to Frank Capra's 1946 film - is safe but undeniably charming. Granville Island Stage, until Jan. 2 (artsclub.com).
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
When, a couple years back, director Stephen Drover won a Jessie Award for his deft handling of Skydive, it was a credit to his management of highly physical action (the actors were suspended by cables for the duration of the play). Who better to bring lightness of touch to a real swashbuckler? For the children's theatre company Carousel, the classic legend of Robin Hood is adapted by Jeff Pitcher and stuffed with highly visual action sequences in (the eerily socialist) Sherwood Forest. With perennial favourite Allan Zinyk as Friar Tuck. For ages four and up. Waterfront Theatre, until Jan. 2 (carouseltheatre.ca).
Theatrics at Mansfield Park
Having endured the anxiety of Christmas-induced family-time, many will be prepped for a lesson in Austen-esque civility. Jane Austen's family would regularly mount "entertainments" for their acquaintances; Vital Spark Theatre invites you to attend their simulacrum of the experience. With music, song, poetry, and a theatrical ditty based on Austen's Mansfield Park, in which the morally upright Fanny Price wins acceptance from her adoptive family (and her cousin's hand in marriage) after facing down sinners. Hot mulled drinks and regency-era treats are included in the price of admission (a mere $16). Jericho Arts Centre, Jan. 2 to 9 (vitalsparktheatre.com).
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Lauren Bowler surprised us in 2007 with a portrayal of Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady that had us temporarily forgetting Audrey Hepburn's work in the film version. Currently she owns another musical lead - Millie Dillmount, a naive small-town girl who takes on Manhattan and sheds her bumpkin roots in order to marry herself some money. Flappers a-plenty in this vintage comedy. Gateway Theatre, Richmond, until Jan. 3 (gatewaytheatre.com).
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The holidays are the perfect time for a dose of highly intelligent bitchiness. Get your fix by luxuriating in Edward Albee's classic 1962 drama about a sour marriage between two painfully smart people (history professor George and his terrifying wife, Martha). Liz Taylor made her indelible mark on the film version; one of the city's greatest actors, Gabrielle Rose, will play Martha in Blackbird Theatre's eagerly awaited production. Rose is teamed up with Kevin McNulty as the put-upon husband. Craig Erickson and Meg Roe are smartly cast as the visiting couple, witnesses to domestic war. Vancouver East Cultural Centre, until Jan. 16 (thecultch.com).