StageDoor offers two opportunities to celebrate holidays

This year, Stagedoor Theatre in Aspen Park offers up twice the family fun during the holidays. This weekend kicks off two holiday-theme stage shows that are sure to have the whole family laughing straight into 2009.

“A Fairytale Christmas” opens Dec. 6 and runs for two weekends on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. This family-friendly show is children’s theater by children and for children.

The show was written by director Marion Denckla Dye. When Dye couldn’t find just the right script for the holiday season, she took matters into her own hands.

“Fairy tales are a cultural anchor for our kids,” she said. “I took the fairy-tale characters and put a holiday twist on the story. I wanted to tell a story about all of these creatures coming together.”

Audiences should expect to meet Prince Charming, a flying monkey, Cinderella and Snow White in this eight-person ensemble cast. The actors are middle school students from around the mountain area. They’ll partake in sword fighting and portray all of the princesses in order to save Christmas from the hands of a mysterious evil-doer.

Make special reservations and join in the fun of the Fairy Tale Christmas festival. After the Dec. 13 show, audience members can meet the characters, receive autographs and take pictures with their favorite fairy-tale heroes.

If your little ones are all grown up, or you just need a laugh amid the holiday hype, don’t miss “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol.” This play-within-a-play is presented by Stagedoor’s adult company and is sure to have even the biggest Scrooge smirking in his seat.

The show tells the story of a small group of untalented, albeit hopeful, thespians staging the annual holiday show, “A Christmas Carol.” The slapstick cast of six actors trade male and female roles, knock down set furniture, goof up their lines and revert to their non-acting characters with disconcerting regularity.

Along the way, the Farndale Guild has help from its stage manager and local audio-visual specialist. The public address system malfunctions every step of the way, making the audience privy not only to the behind-the-scenes mayhem, but the adventures of passing truckers and local talk shows.

The holiday show is a sequel to “They Came From Mars …,” another Farndale farce presented by Stagedoor in 2006.

“This show is exceedingly fun,” says director Fran Arniotes. “The story of these less-than-stellar actors trying to put on a Christmas play is a hoot. Even if you’re feeling a little holiday-ed out, this show will raise those holiday spirits.”

Stagedoor Theatre presents “A Farndale Christmas Carol”

Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.

At Stagedoor Theatre, 25797 Conifer Road (in the Aspen Park Village shopping center)

Tickets: $14, adults; $12, students and seniors.

To reserve tickets, visit www.stagedoortheatre.org or call 303-838-3006.

Stagedoor Theatre also presents “A Fairytale Christmas”

Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 1 p.m.

At Stagedoor Theatre, 25797 Conifer Road (in the Aspen Park Village shopping center)

Tickets: $6, ages 3 and up; children under 3 sitting on parents’ laps are admitted free.

Tickets for the show and the Fairy Tale Festival on Dec. 13 are $11 online and $13 at the door.

To reserve tickets, visit www.stagedoortheatre.org or call 303-838-3006.