For something completely different for the holiday season, Civic Theater of Allentown is presenting the comedy, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some),” Dec. 9-18, Theatre514, Allentown.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some),” written by John K. Alarez, Michael Carleton and James FitzGerald, is a fast, furious and irreverent look at holiday traditions.

Santa Claus, Rudolph, The Grinch and just about every other seasonal character make an appearance in the racy comedy.

Three actors (Cheryl Moritz, Syd Stauffer and Pat Kelly) decide to perform every Christmas story ever told, as well as explore Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times, topical pop-culture and every carol ever sung.

The show, directed by Will Morris, lampoons everything from Charles Dickens to Dr. Seuss and fruitcake to Frosty on a non-stop madcap tour of holiday favorites.

The show has strong language and mature themes.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some),” 8 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17; 3 p.m. Dec. 11, 18, Theatre514, 514 N. 19th St., Allentown. Tickets: box office; https://civictheatre.com/ ; 610-433-8903

“Christmas Carol” at State Theatre:

Perseverance Productions’ national tour of “A Christmas Carol” is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, State Theater Center for the Arts, Easton.

The Nashua, N.H., theater troupe’s production includes the familiar Charles Dickens’ characters: Ebenezer Scrooge (Andy Meyers), the ghost of Jacob Marley (Kieran Danaan) and the Christmas Spirits of Past (Dinanda Klaassen), Present (Tommy Paduano) and Future (Michael Friedman).

The cast includes Ruby Louise Doolittle, Mara Einson, Jmonet Hill, Sean Mannix, Kevin Rains, Brandon Santos. Bryan Songy, Benjamin Tedcastle and Elizabeth Trattles.

The production, with script adaptation and direction by award-winning 40-year theater veteran Scott H. Severance, has lavish costumes, stunning sets, puppetry, song and dance, humor and 26 traditional carols.

“A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, State Theatre Center for the Arts, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Tickets: box office; https://statetheatre.org; 1-800-999-STATE (7828); 610-252-3132

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com.