Arts Listings

ASHBY STAGE  

"Shotgun Players present Of The Earth," through Jan. 30, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 5 p.m. Sun.; 7 p.m. Wed. Written and directed by Jon Tracy. $17-$60. (510) 841-6500, www.shotgunplayers.org. 

1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. < 

AURORA THEATRE COMPANY  

"Naughty & Nice: A Meg and Billy Christmas," Dec. 17 through Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17-18, 21-23, 28-30. The production mixes Great American Songbook standards with traditional and non-traditional holiday tunes. $23-$25.  

Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822, www.auroratheatre.org.< 

BANKHEAD THEATER  

"Valley Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker," through Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 17, 18, 19; 2 p.m. Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19. $18-$33. (925) 243-0925, www.valleydancetheater.com. 

2400 First Street, Livermore. (925) 373-6800, www.livermoreperformingarts.org.< 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"The Arabian Nights," through Dec. 30. Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman brings her adaptation of "The Arabian Nights'' back to Berkeley for the holidays. See website for complete listings of performance dates and times. $17.50-$73.  

2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949, (888) 4BR-Ttix, www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY OF WALNUT CREEK  

"A Christmas Carol," through Dec. 19. The Charles Dickens classic comes to life on stage. See website for complete performance details. $20.50-$41.  

Lesher Theatre, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-SHOW, www.centerrep.org.< 

EAST BAY IMPROV  

"Tired of the Same Old Song and Dance?" ongoing. 8 p.m. East Bay Improv actors perform spontaneous, impulsive and hilarious comedy on the first Saturday of every month. $8.  

Pinole Community Playhouse, 601 Tennent Ave., Pinole. (510) 964-0571, www.eastbayimprov.com.< 

FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER  

"The Princess and The Pea," through Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 17-18; 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 18-19. Pleasanton's Civic Arts Stage Company will present the classic tale live on stage. $6-$18.  

4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 931-4848, www.firehousearts.org.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Whiskers!," through Dec. 20, 3:15 and 7:15 p.m. Sat.; 9:15 and 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. Mon, Wed., Fri. Caroline Altman's musical based on the children's favorite "The Velveteen Rabbit.'' $10-$15. (925) 943-7469. 

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

MASQUERS PLAYHOUSE  

"The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee," through Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12. The Tony Award-winning story about overachievers' angst comes to life, with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin. $20.  

105 Park Place, Point Richmond. (510) 232-4031, www.masquers.org.< 

ORACLE ARENA  

"Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes," Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. $25-$99.  

7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. (510) 625-8497, (925) 685-8497, (415) 421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com or www.theoaklandarena.com.< 

PARAMOUNT THEATRE  

"Oakland Ballet Company: The Nutcracker," Dec. 23 through Dec. 26, 2 and 7 p.m. Thu.; 11 a.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. Sun. $15-$50. (510) 465-6400. 

2025 Broadway, Oakland. (510) 465-6400, (415) 421-8497, www.paramounttheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.com.< 

TOWN HALL THEATRE  

"Scrooge: The Musical," through Dec. 19, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 19; 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 12, 19; 3 p.m. Dec. 11, 18. Based on the 1970 movie starring Albert Finney. $12-$29.50.  

3535 School St., Lafayette. (925) 283-1557, www.thtc.org.< 

UPTOWN BODY & FENDER  

"Zanzibar Puppets: Cinderella," through Dec. 26, 2 and 4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 22 fully costumed puppets bring the classic fairy tale to life with spectacular scenery and music. $12. (510) 891-1986, www.zanzibarpuppets.com 401 26th St., Oakland. <