December is upon us, and that means a smorgasbord of Christmas stories at area theaters, but not so much the tried and true holiday sentimentality that's usually trotted out. There are some twists on the usual holiday fare this year, including a holiday whodunit and the traditional A Christmas Carol presented as a one-man show.

The holiday whodunit is The Game's Afoot! or Holmes for the Holidays, a comedic murder mystery at Olympia Little Theatre written by Ken Ludwig, the celebrated writer of Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo, directed by Kathryn Beall, 7:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 1:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27-Dec. 20, Olympia Little Theatre, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia, http://olympialittletheater.org

Centerstage in Federal Way once again thrills audiences of all ages with a traditional British Panto - this one a repeat of their hugely popular and outlandish version of Sleeping Beauty, with rocking popular music, and screamingly wicked humor aimed at children and adults, through Dec. 20. The Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal  Way, www.centerstagetheatre.com

Tacoma's exciting new fringe company Tacoma Actors Repertory Theatre is producing A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story as a one-man show using Charles Dickens' original script and performance notes narrated by Byron Tidwell. Performances are evenings at 8 p.m. Dec. 2-5, 9-12 and 16-19. Matinees at 2 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 and 20. Tacoma Armory, 715 South 11th St., Tacoma. Tickets are available online at www.tacomarep.org.

Olympia Family Theater is doing the ever-popular A Charlie Brown Christmas 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 to Dec. 20 (Dec. 20 matinee sold out). 612 4th Ave. E., Olympia, www.olyft.org

For something completely different, The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, presents David Sedaris' irreverent holiday one-man show, The Santaland Diaries about a starving actor in New York City who reluctantly takes a job as an elf at Macy's. This one is recommended for ages 16 and older due to mature themes and language.  It runs Dec. 3, 6, 10 and 13 at 8 p.m. at Tacoma Musical Playhouse. TMP is also doing A Charlie Brown Christmas, Dec. 19-24. 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, https://tmp.org

But tradition can't be ignored, and to prove it, Tacoma Little Theatres proud to present the holiday show that sends everyone right back to their most prized childhood memories, A Christmas Story, Jean Shepherd's touching and hilarious tale of Ralphie's quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. You know the story - it's the one with the tongue to the lightpole and the lamp with the lady leg. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 210 North I St., Tacoma, www.tacomalittletheatre.com

And finally, Harlequin Productions is doing its 20th installment of their original, locally written and hugely popular Stardust Christmas series. This one, The Stardust Christmas Dazzle, is a popular music extravaganza set in Manhattan's Stardust Club in 1959. Nov. 27-Dec. 31, State Theater, 202 E. 4th Ave., www.harlequinproductions.org