Fountain Hills Theater presents two holiday performances on its Mainstage and Mainstage Too.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)” and “Elf the Musical Jr.” both play from Dec. 6-22.

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told in an irreverent look at holiday classics and traditions.

Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch and just about every other seasonal character make an appearance in this comedy that will have audiences laughing all the way to the New Year, according to a press release.

At the top of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some),” a man is clearly beginning a performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

He is quickly interrupted by his two actor buddies who refuse to perform “A Christmas Carol” for the hundredth time in their careers. Claiming that they only do it “for the insurance,” the actors lead a mutiny and instead decide to present every Christmas story ever told.

Over the course of the next 90 minutes, the audience is called upon to help these three comedic actors as they portray as many holiday stories and characters as they can remember.

Using crazy costumes, special effects and their wits, the actors visit such stories as “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” “The Gift of the Magi,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Holidays in Sweden” and everything in between.

The play is a parody of popular secular holiday stories, told by three performers. The actors occasionally dress as females to portray female characters in these stories.

There is a lengthy discussion of whether Santa Claus exists, but it is decided eventually that he does.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)” is directed by Van Rockwell and features Alexandra Palmatier, Tom Mangum and Roger Prenger.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)” will play Dec. 6-22.

Performances take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Individual tickets are $40 for adults and $18 for youth 17 and under.

Veteran, active duty, senior and group rates are available. Rated PG-13 for language.

Youth Holiday Musical

“Elf the Musical Jr.” also plays at Fountain Hills Theater Dec. 6-22, which follows the life of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.

With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.

Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

“Elf the Musical Jr.” will play Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from December 6-22.

Ticket price is $18. Group discount available through the box office. Rated G.

All performances take place at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. For reservations, call 480-837-9661 x3 or visit fhtaz.org.