With the holidays approaching, two Allentown theaters are celebrating the season by premiering Thanksgiving and Christmas shows.

Between the Lines Studio Theatre will present the Lehigh Valley premiere of “The Thanksgiving Play,” Nov. 10 to 19 and Pines Dinner Theatre presents the world premiere of “Holly Jolly Christmas,” Nov. 9 to Dec. 23.

Between The Lines Studio Theatre’s “The Thanksgiving Play” production is directed by Jason Roth and stars Veronica Bocian, Heath Mensher, Zachary Einstein and Jennifer Santos.

“The Thanksgiving Play, written in 2015 by Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse, revolves around four white adults who attempt to create a politically-correct Thanksgiving play for Native American Heritage Month at an elementary school. The play explores themes of privilege, historical accuracy and racism.

FastHorse wrote the play in response to the difficulties encountered trying to cast her play “What Would Crazy Horse Do?” with indigenous actors. She purposely wrote “The Thanksgiving Play” with a cast of caucasian actors.

In April, “The Thanksgiving Play” opened on Broadway, making FastHorse the first Native American woman to have a play produced on Broadway.

“The Thanksgiving Play,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 17, 18; 2 p.m. Nov. 12, 19, Between the Lines Studio Theatre, 725 N. 15th St., Allentown. Tickets: https://betweenthelinestheatre.com/

“Holly Jolly” Pines:

The Pines Dinner Theatre celebrates the holidays with the world premiere of “Holly Jolly Christmas,” an original production written and directed by Pines Dinner Theatre Artistic Director Oliver Blatt, which combines traditional Christmas songs with new music.

In the story, Rob (Kent Benwell) and Laura (Amber Blatt) are preparing to celebrate the season in grand style with their long-time friends Maggie (Eileen Deisemann) and Kristopher (Maxwell Gorman) when everything start to go wrong. The two couples begin to wonder if the spirit of the holidays will prevail as they perform familiar Christmas classics like “Jingle Bells,” and new holiday songs such as “Holly-est Jolly-est Christmas.”

Food and beverages are available for purchase. Audiences are welcome to BYOB.

“Holly Jolly Christmas,” 12:30 p.m. dinner, 1:30 p.m. show, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday; 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show, Friday, Saturday, Nov. 9 - Dec. 23, The Pines Dinner Theatre, 448 N. 17th St., Allentown. 610-433-2333. Tickets: https://www.pinesdinnertheatre.com/

“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