MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins Steve Seel and Jill Riley to talk about holiday shows that are traditional, as well as those that were once non-traditional but have become traditions themselves.

A Christmas Carol — The Charles Dickens classic has been staging at the Guthrie Theater for 39 years, yet each year offers a fresh take. This year's play is directed by Joe Chvala and it runs November 14 to December 29, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

And less traditional holiday offerings that have become their own traditions include:

The Santaland Diaries — Frank Theatre presents this holiday classic by David Sedaris (who is heard on NPR) for the fourth year in a row. Based on Sedaris's experience as a seasonal employee in Macy's "SantaLand" in New York, this play features actor Joe Leary as Crumpet the Elf, who shares his observations of what's behind all that holiday glee. The Santaland Diaries will play for 11 performances at The Cowles Center for Dance & Performing Arts in Minneapolis, from Dec. 13 to 23.

God Rest Ye Scary Gentlemen II: Four new stories for a Creepy Comedy Christmas — Presented by Hardcover Theater, this production is a sequel to last year's show, now with four new tales of holiday hauntings. Among the featured ghosts are an inexperienced spectre who must learn how to frighten the living, and a ghostly dog. The show is described as "a little creepy, but not really scary - mostly light, witty comedy" and therefore suitable for all ages. This show stages on Sunday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 22; both shows are at 6 p.m. at the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater in Minneapolis.

Marianne Combs joins The Current's Morning Show for the Weekend Arts Roundup every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Read about all the latest arts news at the State of the Arts blog at mprnews.org.