"Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus. He's standing in your living room, disguised as a homeless man." This scenario could go in more of a Halloween direction, or at least the direction of a holiday courtroom drama. But happily, it's just the set-up for Another Night Before Christmas. The holiday season can be exhausting, no doubt. Not only does it start earlier and earlier; the expectations seem to be getting higher and higher. We don't mean to diss Christmas. But we're beat. Karol, a tinsel-tired, downtrodden social worker who vows to spend the holiday alone, can relate. She's heading into humbug territory herself, until she happens upon a homeless man who not only insists he's Santa Claus, but does the insisting after appearing in her living room. Lucky for Karol, the man is harmless. All he wants is to work through Karol's Christmas issues and turn them around so that she can have a happy holiday after all. Another Night Before Christmas shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Theatre Three, 2800 Routh St. Tickets are $25 to $30. Call 214-871-3300 or visit theatre3dallas.com.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m.; Thu., Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Starts: Dec. 12. Continues through Dec. 20, 2009