Curtain calls: December performing arts

Performances in San Diego during the holiday month include “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Snow White Christmas,” various versions of “The Nutcracker,” and “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.”

12.1-4 Jesus Christ Superstar

San Diego State University students act out the decades-old rock opera in psychedelic form, recounting the lead-up to Jesus’ crucifixion through the eyes of his dicey disciple Judas Iscariot.

Don Powell Theatre, 5500 Campanile Drive, College West, 619.594.6884, ttf.sdsu.edu

12.1-24: Miracle on 34th Street

Will the real Kris Kringle please stand up? A department store Santa claiming to be the real deal goes to court to prove identity in this version of the classic musical, presented with a score akin to a 1940s-esque radio broadcast.

The Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., downtown, 858.560.5740, sdmt.org

12.1-31: The 1940s Radio Hour

Tune into WOV’s broadcast in December 1942, when the feeble New York radio station attempts to ship holiday spirit to WWII troops serving overseas.

New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad, 760.433.3245, newvillagearts.org

12.2: Merry-achi Christmas

See the world-renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico perform the same holiday hits that sold out New York City’s Lincoln Center and charmed four U.S. presidents.

Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org

12.2-24: A Snow White Christmas

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the most holly, jolly of them all? The answer is Neil Patrick Harris, who, as the magic mirror, anchors this musical rendition of Snow White.

San Diego Repertory Theatre - The Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000, sdrep.org

12.3: A Very Electric Christmas

Navigating out of the North Pole is hard in the dark. Luckily for Max, a young bird blown north from his migrating parents, his story is performed entirely with lights.

Moonlight Stage Productions, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, 760.724.2110, moonlightstage.com

12.6: Joy & Light

The modernist PGK Dance Project mashes yuletide-inspired melodies with new moves in this ultra-contemporary Christmas performance that provides audience members with a chance to become part of the show.

California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800.988.4253, artcenter.org

12.9-23: The Nutcracker by City Ballet of San Diego

City Ballet of San Diego kicks off the season’s Nutcracker frenzy with musical accompaniment by the City Ballet Orchestra and Chorus.

Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown, 619.235.9500, spreckels.net

12.10-24: The Nutcracker 2016 by California Ballet Co.

California Ballet Co.’s annual performance series returns, chronicling Clara’s magical whisk-away from her family Christmas into a dreamland characterized by human-size mice, toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies.

San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org

12.14-24: An American Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - when the U.S. Grant drums up a four-course feast to be served alongside a 24-person live performance by Lamb’s Players.

The US Grant Hotel, 326 Broadway, downtown, 619.437.6000, lambsplayers.org

12.15: An Irish Christmas

Irish Christmas customs come alive on stage in the form of song and dance performed by L.A.-based Kerry Irish Productions.

California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 800.988.4253, artcenter.org

12.16-18: The Nutcracker by San Diego Ballet Co.

Sugar Plum Fairies aplenty appear in San Diego Ballet’s 27th annual presentation of the Snow Forest and Land of Sweets, featuring more than 100 on-stage dancers.

Mandeville Center, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 619.294.7378, sandiegoballet.org

12.21: Great Russian Nutcracker

Moscow Ballet’s Russian rendition of this holiday staple doubles as a call for world peace, with Act Two (dubbed “Peace and Harmony”) featuring a rose-shooting cannon and 20-foot dove.

Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804, nutcracker.com

12.28: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis’ project carols through San Diego Civic Theatre with Billboard-topping tunes that reminisce the reason for the season.

San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org