Tom Andrews’ Jimmy Stewart impression gets better every year he plays George Bailey. You remember George, who gives up his dreams of college and travel in order to help the little people in his home town of Bedford Falls, and is then saved from suicidal depression by a rookie angel trying to earn his wings?

This is Andrews’ third outing, and he’s got it pegged in Cygnet Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, onstage through Dec. 28 at Cygnet’s Rolando theater. Marybeth Bielawski-Deleo directs.

On Murray’s visual smorgasbord of a set, the actors assemble for a ’40s radio presentation (made famous by the 1946 film, the story was also performed on the radio). This show is an adaptation of the original radio script, complete with commercials and jingles.

New to this year’s cast are Jeannine Marquie, cute and winning as Mary Hatch (and several others); Tim West, playing the angel Clarence, Uncle Billy and others; and local favorite David McBean, that man of a hundred expressions, who vamps his way hilariously through a plethora of disparate roles.

Augmented by Veronica Murphy’s wonderful period costumes, old-fashioned mikes and the pièce de résistance – a set of amazing items for Foley artist Scott Paulson to create sound effects with – this show is as much fun to watch in production as to hear.

And check out those singing jingles for Kreml Hair Tonic for gents whose hair resembles “a dried-out bird’s nest” and Lux Toilet Cake (soap) “cleaning up the U.S.A.” Ah, those were the days.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is fast becoming a Christmas tradition at Cygnet. If you’d like to get your Wonderful Life fix live this year, Cygnet is the place to be.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play plays through Dec. 28 at Cygnet Theatre. Shows Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

That mean old Who-hating Grinch has raged back into town for the Old Globe’s by-now traditional production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The 11th edition of this great family favorite plays through Dec. 28 at the Old Globe Theatre, directed by Jack O’Brien.

Kevin Bailey is back as the Grinch, frowning and shimmying down the set in that hairy, rancid seaweed-look costume. He cuts a hilarious figure as he grumps around the stage, plotting the demise of Christmas and explaining to Mama Who (the always-delightful Melinda Gilb) that he’s “from Whoston.”

Other welcome returnees in the cast are Gilb and Steve Gunderson (Mama and Papa Who) and Eileen Bowman and James Vasquez (Grandma and Grandpa Who).

The kids’ parts are double cast. Returnee Skylar Starrs Siben is still absolutely winning as Cindy-Lou Who, and shares a great stage moment with the Grinch as she attempts to soften the famous heart that’s two sizes too small. As she prepares to sing “Santa For a Day,” the Grinch turns his eyes heavenward and deadpans, “Oh no! It’s a ballad!”

I’ve seen every production of this show, and though every year I grumble something like, “Ohmygod, not this again,” I must admit that its sprightly humor, great design and positive message win me over every time.

I predict you’ll leave the theater smiling, too – maybe even with damp eyes, if the magic works on you.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas plays through Dec. 28 at the Old Globe Theatre. Shows Tuesday through Sunday at 7 p.m.; weekends variable, generally at 11 a.m., 2:30 and 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

You know you’re in for something different when Queen Victoria tells you to turn off your cell phone, unwrap candies and locate the nearest exit.

Sure enough, we’re in a British music hall, where 17 of the 20 Variety Players have taken ill, leaving three to play all 23 roles in Scrooge in Rouge – a British Music Hall Christmas Carol. The West Coast premiere of the Ricky Graham show plays through Dec. 21 at Diversionary Theatre. Rayme Sciaroni directs and also serves as musical director. Rick Shaffer serves as accompanist Alfred Da Capo.

Male impersonator Vesta Virile (Kim Strassburger) plays Scrooge (“so mean he sent Mother’s Day cards to orphans”); Charlie Schmaltz (Eric Vest) is Scrooge’s nephew Freddy (and others); Lottie Obbligato (Tony Houck), arrayed in pouffy Victorian splendor, plays most of the female roles and shows off a solid falsetto in the process.

The Dickens plot is loosely followed and music-hall tradition upheld with the inclusion of a completely extraneous song about the sea.

But mostly, Scrooge in Rouge is a cross-dressing, quick-changing romp with goofy songs and jokes both corny (“is your name Goiter? You’re a pain in the neck”) and suggestive (“You’re endowed, Mr. Scrooge. Will you show a fellow man how big you are?”).

Audience participation is encouraged – required, actually, as a nearby man is drafted to play Tiny Tim. Add to this three of the strangest looking ghosts you’re likely to encounter and a cast clearly having way too much fun, and you’re in for a festive if lightweight evening.

Strassburger displays great comic timing as Scrooge. Vest is terrific (and must be exhausted by the end of the evening) in a variety of roles that have him on the run in the costume change department. Houck also is a hoot in all that Victorian finery.

First presented last year in New Orleans, Scrooge in Rouge offers an offbeat alternative to traditional Christmas show fare. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.

Scrooge in Rouge plays through Dec. 21 at Diversionary Theatre. Shows Thursday 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1093.