It’s that time of year and Lehigh Valley theaters are kicking off their holiday shows.

Touchstone Theatre of Bethlehem is bringing back its 24th edition of “Christmas City Follies.”

DeSales University’s Act 1 is staging the hit Broadway revival of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.”

Act 1’s production of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” is Nov. 29 - Dec. 9, Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.

Based on a production written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for television in 1957, “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” is a recent Broadway adaptation of the classic musical with a new book written by Douglas Carter Beane based on the fairy tale, “Cinderella,” notably the French version, “Cendrillon ou la petite pantoufle de verre,” by Charles Perrault.

In the contemporary and humorous adaptation, Ella (Rosie Dunphy) dreams of escaping the drudgery of a life under her stepmother’s thumb while Topher (Ryan Plunkett), the prince and future king, questions his role as a leader. A fairy godmother disguised as a beggar orchestrates events for them to meet, so they can help each other learn who they truly are.

Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, the production features Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.”

Directing the production is Amanda Pasquini, associate director of education at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia. Previously, she worked for Scott Rudin Productions and was assistant to the producer for the Broadway productions “Hello, Dolly!,” “1984,” “A Doll’s House, Part 2” and “The Book of Mormon.”

“Working with the incredibly talented students of DeSales University has been such a joy,” Pasquini says. “It’s a pleasure to lead a musical that has been defying the impossible for decades.

“In this new retelling, created for the 2013 Broadway revival, Ella not only seeks to find her prince, but seeks to create a better reality for her community,” says Pasquini.

Stephen Casey is choreographer. Rebecca Pieper is music director. Paul Hsun-Ling Chou is conductor.

Sam Roff is scenic designer. Sam Fleming is costume designer. Eric T. Haugen, DeSales Act 1 production manager and head of design, is lighting designer. David M. Greenberg is sound designer.

Talk-backs with the cast follow Dec. 3 and 4 performances.

The 2 p.m. Dec. 2 performance has open captioning for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for those who are blind or visually-impaired. Tickets are half-price for patrons using these services. Information: Box Office Manager Eric Pierson, 610-282-3654, ext. 1.

“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9; 2, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Dec. 3, 10; 9:45 a.m. Dec. 4, DeSales Act 1 Theatre, Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192; https://www.desales.edu

“Christmas City Follies XXIV,” Dec. 1 - 22, Touchstone Theatre, is an annual theatrical extravaganza packed with music and festive hijinks.

“Christmas City Follies” is known for original sketches, characters and songs. Writers, actors and designers from Touchstone’s ensemble each season create a fresh production, bringing brand new stories to the stage while sprinkling in recurring fan-favorite characters and scenes from past shows.

A sneak preview of this year’s “Follies” will be performed at Bethlehem’s Northside Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 p.m. Nov. 24, Payrow Plaza, and 5 p.m. Nov. 25, Bethlehem’s Southside Christmas Tree Lighting, New Street across from the Greenway entrance.

“Follies” actors will perform at the Downtown Bethlehem Association Live Advent Calendar, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 - 23, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ 1810 Goundie House, Main Street.

Touchstone offers a pay-what-you-will at the door for Thursday “Follies” performances.

“Christmas City Follies XXIV,” 8 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22; 2 p.m. Dec. 3, 10, 17, Touchstone Theatre,, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem. 484-767-2456; http://www.touchstone.org/

“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