Curtain Calls

By Michael Benninger

11/12-12/7: Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
San Diego Civic Theatre
1100 Third Ave., Downtown
619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org
Filling in the backstory before Dorothy and Toto crashed along the Yellow Brick Road, this award-winning musical tells the sensational tale of how two young girls grow up to become Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.
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11/1-2: Giselle
San Diego Civic Theatre
1100 Third Ave., Downtown
619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org

A beautiful girl falls head-over-heels for a fraudulent member of the royalty in this harrowing narrative that employs dance to delve into the depths of love, betrayal and retribution.
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11/15-12/27: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The Old Globe
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org

The Old Globe transforms into Whoville for this 13th annual production of Dr. Seuss’ fanciful fable about a mischievous misanthrope dead-set on destroying his hamlet’s Yuletide cheer.
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11/28-12/21: The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue
La Jolla Playhouse
2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla
858.550.1010, lajollaplayhouse.org

Acclaimed improv comedy troupe The Second City hits the Playhouse stage with an uproarious new set of holiday-themed songs and sketches that poke fun at American culture and traditions during the happiest time of year.