STAGE

Biglittlethings

Imago's endearing (and good) holiday show is back, fresh from a tour to Macau, China. Polar bears, worms, fish, anteaters and all. BEN WATERHOUSE. Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th Ave., 231-3959. 7:30 pm fridays, 2 and 7 pm Saturdays, noon and 3 pm Sundays, 3 pm Jan. 2-4. $16-$31. All ages. Map

Cinderella

I worry about the young actors-in-training on display in John Monteverde’s production of this Rodgers and Hammerstein made-for-TV musical. Two reasons: They’ve been handed lackluster material with which they’re expected to develop their skills, and then left to hang by a creative team that should know better. There is one standout: 21-year-old Jonathan Swartout as a puppy-dog prince. He has a pleasant voice, too, until the microphone permanently attached to his forehead roars it all out of distortion. Are all singing actors today unable to vocally project in even a space as small as the West End Theater without the aid of blaring head-mics? And why was the fairy godmother (Marilyn Stacey) wigged and dressed like Drew Carey in drag? Will Kari Virding as Cinderella ever stop smiling? STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. West End Theater, 1220 SW Taylor St., 593-2466. 593-2466. 7 pm Fridays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays, 2 and 7 pm Dec. 26-27. Closes Dec. 30. $16-$20. All ages. Map

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Northwest Children's Theater remounts last year's popular production. NW Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett St., 222-4480. 222-4480. 7 pm Fridays, 2 and 7 pm Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays and Dec. 19-20, 24 and 26-27. Closes Dec. 30. $18-$22. All ages. Map

Gone in 60 Sketches

The latest comedy show from the 3rd Floor crams 60 sketches into 90 minutes. BEN WATERHOUSE. El Centro Milagro, 525 SE Stark St., 236-7253. 8 pm Fridays-Saturdays. Closes Dec. 29. $10. All ages. Map

Happy F@*#ing Holidays

Toy Boat Productions brings back its annual festival of yuletide obscenity. This time, Santa, Cupid and the Easter Bunny are fighting to keep their jobs after a corporate takeover, and a dancer goes on a killing spree. The CoHo Theater, 2257 NW Raleigh St., brownpapertickets.com/event/24110. 8 pm Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 27-29. $10 and one can of food. All ages. Map

Mars on Life

[EXTENDED RUN] Susannah Mars is one part old-school diva, one part Martha Stewart and one part indie comedian. It’s a bizarre combination for a “holiday cabaret,” but Mars’ multiple personas bring something for everyone. Sometimes she’s graceful and sublime, perfectly polished in four-inch heels and a well-lacquered hairdo; the next minute she’s prancing around in a potato latke costume, or singing, “For Betty Crocker I’d go gay.” These unabashedly weird moments are the real treat of the show, but Mars brings a refreshing candidness to the more traditional songs as well. A guest artist accompanies Mars during each performance. STACY RIGER. Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 SW Morrison St., 241-1278. 241-9807. 7:30 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays. Closes Dec. 30. $20-$47. All ages. Map

Petrouchka

Tears of Joy Theatre presents its award-winning puppet show for all ages (4 and up), inspired by the title character of Stravinsky's ballet. BEN WATERHOUSE. Winningstad Theatre, Portland Center for Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway., 248-4335. 7:30 pm Friday, 11 am and 1 pm Saturday, 2 and 4 pm Sunday, Dec. 28-30. $13-$16. All ages. Map

A Scandal in Bohemia

Northwest Classical Theatre Company’s in-your-lap performance of this Holmes mystery properly uses the space—or lack thereof—in the intimate Shoe Box Theater to serve up subtlety and nuance. Timing is on Leif Norby’s side as he takes a turn as a spot-on Sherlock, playing off Chris Porter’s jovial, elegantly baffled Dr. Watson. The action never truly leaves the parlor as the King of Bohemia (Jayson Shanafelt, with a fun—if caricatured—take on the German patois) solicits Holmes’s help to thwart the mean machinations of an ex-lover, and as Holmes finds himself fascinated by a member of the fairer sex (a lively Allison Anderson). Grant Turner’s adaptation of Doyle’s tale suffers from excessive transition scenes and overly liberal use of the blackout, but otherwise stands as a self-contained Holmes primer and a nostalgic visit to Baker Street. SAUNDRA SORENSON. Shoe Box Theater, 2110 SE 10th Ave., 971-244-3740. 7 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays. Closes Jan. 6. $12-$18. All ages. Map

The Holly Jolly Holiday Hullabaloo.... Again

Integrity Productions' silly song-and-dance holiday series returns with a new take on Little Red Riding Hood. Take the kids. BEN WATERHOUSE. Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St., 286-3456. 7 pm Wednesdays-Fridays, 2 and 4 pm Saturdays-Sundays. Closes Dec. 29. $5-$10. All ages. Map

Tibia Ballerina with Adam Higgins

Higgins—Brody Theatre, Kick the Squirrel and ComedySportz alum—is back in Portland to record a stand-up DVD with all of his old improv buddies. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. 7 pm Friday, Dec. 28. $10. All ages. Map

CLASSICAL

Concert-at-Christmas  

Welcome home, Mei-Ann! Rising star conductor Mei-Ann Chen returns home to conduct the Portland Youth Philharmonic, which she led for a number of notable seasons before trotting off to another high-profile post (as assistant conductor to Robert Spano at the Atlanta Symphony). She's assembled a typically ear-opening program, from the high-fructose confectionary of Emmanuel Chabrier (Espana, Rhapsody for Orchestra), to Manuel de Falla's much-loved Three Cornered Hat and the rip-roaring Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol. STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway., 248-4335. 7:30 pm Wednesday, Dec. 26. $11-$37. All ages. Map

An Early Christmas from Around the World

There was, in America, a point in the early-music movement (say, the mid-1970s to the late-’80s) where just about every metropolitan city in the U.S.—and many smaller communities, too—had a resident early-music guild or recorder society. As the early-music movement has matured and professionalized over the ensuing decades, those amateur endeavors have mostly fallen away. The Oregon Renaissance Band is a major exception. Since their inception almost two decades ago, the band has been playing international hits from the 16th and 17th centuries to audiences across the state, directed by the affable musical duo of Philip and Gayle Neuman. For their CMC concerts, they offer a typically wide-ranging program of early music from Mexico, France, Spain, and beyond, played on period instruments. STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. Community Music Center, 3350 SE Francis St., 823-3177. 7:30 pm Friday-Saturday, Dec. 28-29. $8-$10. All ages. Map

New Year's Eve Festive Concert

John Strege's blowout New Year's Eve concert at Trinity Cathedral has got to be one of the most raucous classical events of the year. Although the line-up has been solid for a few years running now—including such luminaries as cellist Hamilton Cheifetz, the Oregon Renaissance Band, jazz pianist Randy Porter and Strege's husband, baritone Kevin Walsh—there are always plenty of surprises. Last year's concert featured a big band ensemble of bagpipes blowing through "Auld Lang Syne." Part of the proceeds benefit Sisters of the Road Café and Our House. STEPHEN MARC BEAUDOIN. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave., 222-9811. 7:30 pm Monday, Dec. 31. $10. All ages. Map

DANCE

Do Jump! for the Holidays

On the eve of Nutcracker season, Do Jump! sends up the original seasonal ballet in Divided We Fall, a comic combination of acrobatics and acting, music and dance—look for Aaron Wheeler-Kay’s new tap piece at this year’s installment. In the other half of this annual holiday show, the "actorbats" offer At Such a Dizzy Height, in which director Robin Lane puts Marc Chagall paintings in motion with aerial dance and circus arts, layered with video. Keep an eye out for flying set pieces (participating jugglers the Vanillatown Vaudevillians are highly suspect in this regard) and your ears open to the live klezmer accompaniment from members of Klezmocracy. HEATHER WISNER. Newmark Theatre, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway., 248-4335. 3 pm Sundays Dec. 23 and 30; 7:30 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, Sundays Dec. 20-22, 26-29. $25-$29. 21+. Map

Khmer Heritage Celebration

Khmer dance, called Cambodian court dance in some quarters, is generally known for its dramatic arc, luxe costuming (including temple-shaped headdresses), stately carriage and stylized gestures, which embellish the telling of the tales. The Cambodian-American Community of Oregon welcomes guests to a night of live Khmer cultural dance this weekend, along with music provided by a Khmer band, food, a raffle and free-form dance. HEATHER WISNER. Legin Restaurant, 8001 SE Division St., 777-2828. 5 pm. $20-$35. All ages. Map