Dec. 1 Frank Capra’s beloved Christmas story “It’s a Wonderful Life” comes to the TheatreVirginia stage in a musical version, “A Wonderful Life.” Runs through Dec. 17. $19-$40. Call (804)3 53-6161 for show times and tickets. The Henrico Theatre Company presents the rollicking Christmas musical “Mame,” Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 6-10 at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. All performances held at 8 p.m. except Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 matinee is 2:30 p.m. $6; student and senior tickets, $4. 2880 Mountain Road. Dec. 2 See “The Gift of the Magi,” adapted for the stage by W.R. Hutchinson and directed by Tim Ireland, today at 2 and 4 p.m. at the Firehouse Theatre. $5. 1609 W. Broad St. (804) 355-2001. The Concert Ballet of Virginia presents The Nutcracker during its 25th-anniversary season. Three Mechanicsville performances take place at Atlee High School, today at 2:30 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2:30 p.m. 9414 Atlee Station Road. Richmond performances take place at the Woman’s Club Dec. 9 and 10 at 2:30 p.m. 211 E. Franklin St. All performances are $18 for adults, $15 for children. (804) 798-0945. Dec. 3 Richmond Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities presents the annual production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a musical by Gian Carlo Menotti, 4 p.m. Landmark Theater. Free. (804) 646-1031. Dec. 8 The Blackwell Blackbox Theatre performs Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 14. Monday through Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Randolph-Macon College. Theatre located at 205 Henry St. in Ashland. Visit www.rmc.edu for more information. Reservations required. (804) 752-7316. Miracle on 34th Street continues The Chesterfield Children’s Theatre’s 2000 season, through Dec. 22 at the newly renovated Pinocchio Family Playhouse. Call (804) 706-1910 for season brochure, tickets, times and other information. 1601 Ware Bottom Spring Road. Theatre IV opens its production of King Christmas Island, a play about the struggle of island villagers beset by fierce winter weather. This is the second production of Theatre IV’s 2000-2001 Family Playhouse Season. Presented through Dec. 24 at the Empire Theatre, 114 W. Broad St. Call (804) 643-2477 for times and ticket information. Dec. 9 The Richmond Ballet kicks off the first of 14 performances of the holiday classic The Nutcracker, 8 p.m. at the Carpenter Center. Join Clara and her friends in this annual presentation of Tchaikovsky’s Christmas tradition. Adults, $22-$47 (discounts for students and seniors). Tickets, (804) 262-8100. Through Dec. 23. The Concert Ballet of Virginia presents The Nutcracker at the Woman’s Club Auditorium, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 211 E. Franklin St. Program repeats Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. Call (804) 798-0945 for ticket availability. Dec. 12 The Hanover Club of Randolph-Macon College hosts “A Christmas Carol”, an evening of performance and desserts at the college. 306 Henry St. $5 adults, $3 children 12 and under. (804) 752-7222 Dec. 13 The Valentine Museum hosts a puppet show by Applause Unlimited, “Seasons Greetings! The Gingerbread Boy and Other Holiday Tales,” 10:30 a.m. $6, includes museum admission. 1015 E. Clay St. (804) 649-0711. Dec. 13-16, 20-21 and 27-28. See “Oliver With A Twist,” a family musical based on Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” 10 a.m. at the VCU Performing Arts Center. $3.50. 922 Park Ave. Show runs Dec. 13-14, 10 a.m. Dec. 16, 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 17, 3 and 5 p.m. Dec. 18, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 19, 10 a.m. (804) 828-2772. Dec. 24 The annual Nativity Pageant at the Carillon in Byrd Park takes place at 6 p.m. With choir, narrator and elaborate Nativity scene, this production is a Richmond tradition. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Did we miss your event? Send us an e-mail.