"The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings," by local humorist David Sedaris, heads to the Playhouse on the Green.

There’s no place like home for the holidays, especially when there are dozens of jolly events, merrie festivals, dazzling sights, joyous sounds, and special theatrical productions for all ages and every personal taste.

But it wasn’t always so, according to Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, when “…in 1659, a law was passed by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony requiring a five-shilling fine from anyone caught ‘observing any such day as Christmas.’

"Christmas Day was deemed by the Puritans to be a time of seasonal excess with no Biblical authority. The law was repealed in 1681.”

This holiday season, there’s so much fun stuff to do, without puritan guilt, and only enough space in this issue of Metroline to list the highlights.

First, Connecticut has a thriving, year round Equity theater scene that’s far less expensive than Broadway, but with the same professional quality in acting, direction, choreography, as well as scenic, costume, lighting and sound design. All the things that come together to create theatrical magic.

Here are listings that provide a glimpse of the surprising variety that should please everyone from Tiny Tims to humbugging Scrooges; the saintly to the sinners. Bless us all, everyone.

The Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus presents “George & Laura’s LAST White House Christmas.” Join them for an evening of parody and roast, as its zany Washington DC cast of characters and their wacky Hollywood celebrity guests help the Bushes celebrate their last Christmas in the White House. This show will keep you laughing right up to Jan. 20th! Saturday. Dec. 6, 8 p. m. The Bushnell, Hartford; Sunday. Dec. 14, 4 p. m. Norwalk Concert Hall; Saturday. Dec. 20, 8 p. m., the Shubert, New Haven.

Playhouse on the Green, Bridgeport. 866-811-4111 Here’s the ideal show for those who identify more closely with Scrooge than Santa and his little helpers. It’s “The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings” by Bridgeport humorist David Sedaris. He gives us the perfect antidote to the sugary sweetness and commercialism of the holiday season, daily from Dec. 5 through Dec. 21.

Ivoryton Playhouse, Main Street, Ivoryton. 860-767-7318. Presenting for the holidays, a stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” A play in two acts by James W. Rodgers. Story by Philip Van Doren Stern. Directed by John DeNicola. Performances are Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p. m. Tickets are $25 Adult; $20 Student; $15 Children 12 and under.

Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, Hartford, 860-527-5151 or It’s the perennial holiday favorite of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Nov. 28-Dec. 28.

TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford. 860-527-7838. “The Seafarer,” a fi ercely funny spiked Christmas punch from Conor McPherson, Ireland’s hottest contemporary playwright. Through Dec. 21. Tickets from $37 to $47.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Avenue, downtown Hartford, Toll free: 888-824-2874. “Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas” an evening of holiday music with Broadway Inspirational Voice a multi- cultural, multi-faith based singing group comprised of the best voices on Broadway today. They mix popular holiday carols, Christmas songs and hymns, with songs from their Grammy-nominated CD, Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas.  7:30 p.m., Dec. 15. Tickets: $18.00 - $40.00.

And POPS!: Holiday POPS! Spectacular. Get in the holiday spirit at a concert of holiday hits performed by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Dec. 20, 3 p. m. and 8 p.m.

Spirit of Broadway Theater, Norwich. 860-886-2378. “Holidays on Guitar,” Saturday, Dec. 13. Classical Guitarist and Recording Artist Tim Maynard brings his exceptional musical gifts to the Spirit  of Broadway Theater for an evening of holiday favorites and new musical melodies! Artistic Director, Brett Bernardini, says, “Join us for this escape from the craziness of the Holiday Season! Bring your friends and family for a holiday evening of artistry, musicianship and candlelight!” Tickets are only $20!

Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam. 860-873-8668. “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” Dec. 7 to Jan. 4, 2009. It’s based on director Jim Henson’s television program. This twist on “The Gift  of the Magi” features a lovable mix of actors and puppet characters from The Jim Henson Company and a toe-tapping score. It’s a classic holiday musical for all ages. Wednesday and Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $26-$49.

Shubert Theater, New Haven, 203-562-5666 or 888-736-2663. “Pops Concert: Holiday Extravaganza,” a holiday concert of hits. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. The New Haven Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Dec. 12-14.

Westport Country Playhouse Westport, 203-227-4177, Academy Award-winner Joanne Woodward and two-time Tony winner James Naughton join the cast of “A Holiday Garland” by Brian Scott Lipton, Dec. 13-21. The show, features songs, funny stories, readings, jokes, and poems to celebrate the season, and will be directed by John Tillinger.

Hartford 45th annual Hartford Festival of Light at 1 Constitution Plaza. The city’s favorite holiday tradition begins Nov. 28 through Jan. 6 when more than a quarter-of-a-million tiny, white lights are illuminated at the Opening Ceremony Friday, Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. This year’s opening ceremony is revamped and reinvigorated with special guest performers, holiday dance and musical numbers, and vibrant lighting displays. The festival is more environmentally conscious this year, “going green” for the holidays with energy efficient LED lights, reducing the festival’s environmental and economic impact.

28th Holiday House Tour Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford. Celebrate the holiday season with late 19th-century Christmas decorations, live music and floral arrangements in the New England tradition. It’s the 28th annual tour of the Mark Twain house and several other historical and architecturally impressive private homes in West Hartford and Hartford. December 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Haven Fantasy of Lights Nov. 22 to Dec. 31. Drive through an enchanting land of sparkling lights and spectacular holiday light displays. Delights children and adults of all ages. Location: Lighthouse Park, Lighthouse Road. Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. Call 203-777-2000 for prices.

Mystic Holiday Sea of Trees, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic. The Aquarium’s annual Holiday Sea of Trees is set to spread its colorful branches from November 28, 2007 to January 2nd, 2008. For other events go to www.mysticcountry.com.

East Haddam, The fairy-tale Gillette Castle will be sparkling like a Victorian Holiday celebration in this unique home built by actor William Gillette. His renovated castle will be open every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., two Friday nights, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p. m., and Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 - from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Friends of Gillette Castle will be offering a Christmas presentation by the American Magic Lantern Theater. There will be four performances in the Visitor’s Center at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., December 21. To find additional merrie holiday happenings near you, check local newspapers, online calendars of events and www.cttourism.org.

May all your holidays be merrie and gay!

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