Holiday season kicks off on Lancaster County theater stages in November

This article has been updated to reflect the cancellation of "Persuasion," a play that had been scheduled to be performed at Historic Rock Ford.

The month of November kicks off the holiday season in many ways — including on the theater stages of Lancaster County.

Plays and musicals with holiday themes are opening this month, along with theatrical cabarets, a reading of a history play by William Shakespeare, an evening of newly written works, a musical by the creator of “Rent,” a performance of a play written as a decadeslong correspondence, a Jane Austen adaptation and more.

Here’s what’s opening, and continuing on Lancaster County stages in November

Opening

‘ELF THE MUSICAL’

• When: A mix of 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. evening performances Nov. 21-Dec. 28 (with previews on Nov. 19-20).

• Where: Fulton Theatre, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster.

• Details: Buddy the Elf, raised at Santa’s workshop, finds out he wasn’t born an elf. He travels to New York to find his father and his identity while having a magical effect on a department store — and a family. Ben Fankhauser, who originated the role of Davey in “Newsies” on Broadway, has been cast as Buddy.

• Admission: $34 to $97.

• Info and tickets: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.

‘HOLIDAY INN’

• When: A mix of 1, 7 and 7:30 p.m. shows Tuesdays-Sundays from Nov. 7-Dec. 28.

• Where: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster.

• Details: Based on the 1942 film, this musical tells the story of a Jim, a song-and-dance man who leaves show business to open an inn where he celebrates various holidays with song and dance. The show features familiar Irving Berlin songs such as “Blue Skies,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “White Christmas” and “Easter Parade.”

• Admission: $30-$80 for the show with a meal; $22-$55 for show only. There’s a $3-per-ticket fee for all orders.

• Info and tickets: DutchApple.com or 717-898-1900.

‘DECK THE HALLS’

• When: A mix of 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows Tuesdays through Sundays Nov. 7-Dec. 30.

• Where: American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster.

• Details: The American Music Theatre’s annual, original holiday show returns with an all-new production featuring singers, dancers, Christmas spectacle and popular holiday songs. The family-friendly show creates a Christmas wonderland set at the festive St. Nicholas Hotel. This production was originally scheduled to run in 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic.

• Admission: $30-$59.

• Info and tickets: amtshows.com or call 800-648-4102.

Liv Ent Theater Nov n2 5 Christmas Carol cast.jpg — The cast of Servant Stage's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," which will be touring Lancaster County churches and other venues Nov. 7-Dec. 21, rehearsed in costume on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
SERVANT STAGE

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

• When: Nov. 7-Dec. 21.

• Where: The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim (Dec. 5-6); Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster (Dec. 11-21); and touring stops (Nov. 8-Dec. 15) at various churches across Lancaster County.

• Details: Servant Stage presents its original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ popular holiday tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his spirit-accompanied journey through Christmas Past, Present and Future. Tickets are needed for the Junction Center and Lancaster Alliance Church performances. Lancaster County touring performances for which no reserved tickets are needed, include: 1 p.m. Nov. 8, Salem Lutheran Church, Lititz; 7 p.m. Nov. 9, Lititz United Methodist Church; 1 and 6 p.m. Nov. 22, Grace Fellowship, Ephrata; 2 p.m. Nov. 23, Brickerville United Lutheran Church, Lititz; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Hope United Methodist Church, Ephrata; 1 p.m. Nov. 29, Lititz Church of the Brethren, Lititz; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1, East Fairview Church, Manheim; 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, Bergstrasse Lutheran, Ephrata; 1:15 p.m. Dec 9, Hempfield United Methodist Church, Lancaster; 7 p.m. Dec. 15, Ephrata Church of the Brethren, Ephrata.

• Admission: Pay what you will.

• Info and tickets: servantstage.org/shows/2025/christmascarol.

Liv Ent Theater Nov n2 6 Christmas Carol Marley.jpg — The cast of Servant Stage's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," which will be touring Lancaster County churches and other venues Nov. 7-Dec. 21, rehearsed in costume on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
SUBMITTED

‘ILLUMINATION’

• When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays between Nov. 21 and Dec. 23, with shows at both 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays in December.

• Where: Prima Theatre, 941 Wheatland Ave., Lancaster.

• Details: Prima’s annual tradition returns with holiday classics — both secular and sacred — performed by a cast of musicians and singers in a room filled with lighted candles. Each year’s show is new, and brings a fresh take on the holiday performance.

• Admission: $54-$81.

• Info and tickets: primatheatre.org.

‘RYAN & FRIENDS: A COMIC CHRISTMAS’

• When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 27, and 1 p.m. Nov. 13 and Dec. 4, 12, 20 and 30.

• Where: Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand.

• Details: Ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner, along with his daughter, Madeline, will put a holiday twist on his family-friendly “Ryan & Friends” show that features characters, humor and comedic parodies of Christmas songs.

• Admission: $30-$59 for dinner and the show, $27-$54 for lunch and show and $15-$34 for the show only.

• Info and tickets: bird-in-hand.com/stage or call 717-768-1568.

‘WINTER WONDERLAND’

• When: A mix of 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. shows Wednesday-Saturday, and some Sundays and Tuesdays, Nov. 8-Jan. 3.

• Where: Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater, 3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise.

• Details: Illusionist Brett Myers leads his cast in a Christmas-themed show of illusions, comedy and circus arts. The show takes audiences to the North Pole to see toys come to life in Santa’s workshop.

• Admission: For dinner and the show, adults, $74.95; children 4-12, $37.95; children 3 and under, free. For show only, adults $54.95; children 4-12, $27.95; and children 3 and under, free.

• Info and tickets: magicandwondershow.com.

‘TICK, TICK ... BOOM!’

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8, and 2 p.m Sunday, Nov. 9.

• Where: Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata.

• Details: The Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble, a troupe that performs around central Pennsylvania, presents this semi-autobiographical show penned by Jonathan Larson before he created the hit show “Rent.” The show is about Jon, an aspiring musical composer who fears turning 30 — feeling he has nothing to show for his efforts to date. It’s also about his relationships with his best friend, Michael, and girlfriend, Susan.

• Info and tickets: epactheatre.com or 717-733-7966. ext. 1.

‘RICHARD II’

• When: 7 p.m. Nov. 7-8 and 2 p.m. Nov. 9.

• Where: The Other Room Theatre, 715 N. Pine St., Lancaster.

• Details: Lancaster Shakespeare Theatre presents a reading of this history play by William Shakespeare. The play chronicles the events that lead to England’s King Richard II being stripped of his crown, imprisoned and killed, through the machinations of his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke. The play will be presented readers-theater style; the actors will read directly from the script, without costumes or sets.

• Admission: $10.

• Info and tickets: lancastershakespeare.org.

‘TALES BY THE FIRE V’

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8.

• Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster.

• Details: Orpheus Theatre Company presents its annual evening of new plays. Four plays will be presented — “Little Empire” by Randy Lee Gross, “The Refrigerator” by Jed Hoffman; “Rot” by Clarissa Grunwald and “Subterrane” by Brian C. Petti. There will also be poetry and music.

• Admission: $20 for general-admission tickets.

• Info and tickets: lanc.news/OrpheusTalesV.

‘SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL’

• When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9.

• Where: Good Shepherd Chapel, Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster.

• Details: The Cat in the Hat narrates the action of this musical in which Horton the Elephant strives to protect the tiny residents of Who-ville. Audiences will travel from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus and meet other characters from the world of Dr. Seuss, including Gertrude McFuzz, Jojo and Mayzie. The family-friendly show is presented by Lancaster Bible College.

• Admission: General admission tickets are $21.25 for adults and $11.25 for students (including fees).

• Info and tickets: lbc.edu/events.

One night only

‘LOVE LETTERS’

• When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5.

• Where: Community Mennonite Church, 328 W. Orange St., Lancaster.

• Details: Sponsored by the Lancaster Downtowners, Candace O’Donnell and David Dobbins will star in this two-person play by A.R. Gurney. The piece is presented in the form of letters between the characters Melissa and Andrew, chronicling the ups and downs in their lives and their friendship over the course of nearly 50 years.

• Admission: Free, and open to the public; registration is requested.

• Info and tickets: For more information and to register to attend, visit the Lancaster Downtowners’ events calendar at lanc.news/LDLoveLetters.

‘STAGE KISS’

• When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

• Where: Susquehanna Stage, 133 W. Market St., Marietta.

• Details: This is a staged reading of a comedy by Sarah Ruhl, about how boundaries blur when two actors with a romantic history are cast as lovers in a play. The show explores the chaos of relationships — on the stage and off.

• Admission: Free.

• Info and tickets: susquehannastage.com.

Theatrical concerts and cabarets

‘MISCAST CABARET’

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23.

• Where: Susquehanna Stage, 133 W. Market St., Marietta.

• Details: In celebration of this year’s ExtraGive, this cabaret will present singers performing songs by characters they wouldn’t normally be cast as (men singing women’s roles, for example, or vice versa).

• Admission: $15 for adults and $12 for student.

• Info and tickets: susquehannastage.com.

‘HOT MESS EXPRESS’ CABARET

• When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

• Where: Myers Auditorium 260 McComsey Hall, on the campus of Millersville University.

• Details: Millersville’s All Campus Musical Organization will present a cast of performers singing their favorite “crashing out, crying, breakdown songs.”

• Admission: To be announced.

• Info and tickets: facebook.com/acmomu.

‘FAITH IN THE JOURNEY’ CABARET

• When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16.

• Where: Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater, 3065 Lincoln Highway, Paradise.

• Details: Brittany Beitzel, who has appeared in Sight & Sound, Prima Theatre and Servant Stage productions, will present a cabaret titled “Faith in the Journey.” She will perform songs that mean the most to her, and deal with holding onto faith, finding joy and embracing “hope, gratitude and God’s enduring love.” Beitzel teaches and directs at the Lancaster Academy of the Performing Arts.

• Admission: Pay what you will.

• Info and tickets: servantstage.org.

THEATER FUNDRAISING CABARET

• When: Sunday, Nov. 9.

• Where: Tellus360, 24 E. King St., Lancaster.

• Details: The War of the Roses Theatre Company, which is dedicated to presenting theater classics by writers including William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde, presents a fundraising cabaret of songs related to literary classics, backed by a live band.

• Admission: Pay what you will at the door.

• Info and tickets: Register for your spot at lanc.news/WarOfRosesCabaret.

For young audiences

‘RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER JR.’

• When: Shows at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on select Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 21 to Dec. 27.

• Where: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster.

• Details: Based on the 1964 animated TV Christmas special, this Children’s Theatre “junior” production follows the adventures of Rudolph as he seeks somewhere to fit in after being rejected by other reindeer. During his adventures, he finds common cause with a fellow band of misfits. In the face of a holiday storm, he may be able to save Christmas.

• Admission: $25 for lunch and show; $22 for show only, including fees.

• Info and tickets: Visit DutchApple.com or call 717-898-1900.

Liv Ent Theater Nov n2 2 Abigial Isom.jpg — Abigail Isom portrays Nancy in the play "Deceived," an updating of the play "Gaslight," running through Nov. 16 in the Tell Studio Theatre of the Fulton Theatre.
KEVIN FARACI

Continuing

— Sunday, Nov. 2, marks the last performance of the Gothic musical “Jekyll & Hyde,” based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, at the Fulton Theatre, Lancaster. Info: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.

— “Deceived,” a revised version of the play “Gaslight,” continues through Nov. 16 in the Tell Studio Theatre, on the fourth floor of the Fulton Theatre, Lancaster. Info: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.

Liv Ent Theater Nov n2 11 William Connell, Abigail Isom, Hanley Smith, Grace Gonglewski.jpg — From left, William Connell portrays Jack, Abigail Isom plays Nancy, Hanley Smith is Bella and Grace Gonglewski is Elizabeth in "Deceived," an updating of the play "Gaslight," running through Nov. 16 in the Tell Studio Theatre of the Fulton Theatre.
KEVIN FARACI

— “Holly Jolly Jukebox,” a holiday song-and-dance revue, continues through Dec. 20 at Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater in Paradise. Info: magicandwondershow.com.

— Millersville University Theatre’s “The Laramie Project,” a play about the aftermath of the 1998 Matthew Shepard murder in Wyoming, continues through Nov. 8 at the Rafters Theatre. Info: millersville.edu/theatre/current-season.

— “Empowered: How One Girl Scout Nearly Destroyed the World’s Economy,” a send-up of the excesses of the financial crisis, continues through Nov. 9 at Elizabethtown College’s Tempest Theatre. Info: etown.edu/depts/theatre/shows.aspx.

— “The Christmas Candy Caper,” a comedy about an attempted kidnapping and theft of a recipe from a candy store, continues at Bird-in-Hand Stage, Bird-in-Hand, through Dec. 27. Info: bird-in-hand.com/stage or 717-768-1568.

— The biblical story of “Noah” continues at Sight & Sound Theatres, Ronks, through Dec. 31; sight-sound.com/shows/noah. For LancasterOnline stories on the show, celebrating its 30th anniversary at Sight & Sound, visit lanc.news/Noah30 and lanc.news/NoahAnimalTraining.

For information on all of these continuing shows, visit the October theater roundup on LancasterOnline, at lanc.news/OctoberTheater2025.