The Grinch Returns
The Grinch is back in town, where he comfortably resides at The Old Globe through December 30. That beloved ogre has been a presence at the Globe since 1998, when the first Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas stage production was launched. As memorable as each year’s show has been, the current one is really special. To honor the tenth anniversary of the Globe’s production of Grinch, major revisions have been made, resulting in three new songs, expanded dance sections for the song "Whatchamawho," fresh duds for the Grinch, and numerous changes to the story. New songs include a duet between Young Max and Old Max titled "This Time of Year," a full company musical number, "It’s the Thought that Counts," and the carol "Fah Who Doraze" from the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. While there are some cast changes, other performers from past Grinch productions have returned this holiday season. For instance, Melinda Gilb and Steve Gunderson reprise the roles of Mama Who and Papa Who they created in the Globe’s inaugural production. Jack O’Brien, the show’s original director is back in the leader’s seat for this even more wonderful production of what has become an American classic. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org) — Darlene G. Davies

A Wicked Getaway
Since it opened at Hollywood’s historic Pantages Theatre, the Tony Award-winning musical Wicked has been a sold-out phenomenon. Now LA Inc. is partnering with 12 hotels to offer VIP Wicked packages that guarantee tickets to the show. Running until March 2008, Wicked tells the backstory of the witches of Oz — how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. The show stars Eden Espinosa and Megan Hilty as Elphaba and Glinda. Both actresses appeared in their roles in the Broadway production of Wicked. The Mosaic Hotel Beverly Hills package includes a Preferred Luxury Room, private town car transportation to and from the show, and breakfast for two. A complete list of participating hotels is on the Web site. (www.greaterlosangeles.com/visitors)
— Elizabeth Hansen

Extraordinary Everett
A fine retrospective of the art of Everett Gee Jackson has been mounted at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. This homage to Jackson, who was one of San Diego’s premiere mid-century artists, covers the period from 1920-1955, and is richly deserved. A modernist painter, Jackson worked in other media as well, building a reputation as an outstanding illustrator and lithographer. The approximately 50 works on display have been drawn from local and national, as well as public and private, collections. Jackson drew much of his inspiration from areas of the southwest United States and Mexico, a country he loved and to which he and other regional artists traveled frequently. His influence upon what was a potent art community in San Diego really can’t be underestimated. A catalogue accompanies this show, which to many viewers, is memorable. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org) — Darlene G. Davies

Birth Of The Cool
Midcentury design may be pushing 50, but it’s still remarkably cutting-edge. At the Orange County Museum of Art, an exhibition called Birth of the Cool: California Art, Design, and Culture at Midcentury examines the post-war emergence of a revolutionary cultural and intellectual era in California. Everybody’s heard of designers such as the Eames and Harry Bertoia, who balanced utility and function with innovative forms and fabrics; many of their designs are still in production. Birth of the Cool digs a bit deeper, documenting geometric abstract paintings by a number of noteworthy Hard-Edge artists, including Karl Benjamin, Lorser Feitelson, Frederick Hammersley, John McLaughlin and Helen Lundberg. If only we could all look this fresh after five decades. Through January 6, 2008. (949/759-1122, www.ocma.net)
— AnnaMaria Stephens

Craft In America
Craft in America: Expanding Traditions currently resides at Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, and will remain there through January 7, 2008. The handsome show, which features craft of the past two centuries, was organized by Craft in America, Inc., with curatorial assistance from Traveling Exhibitions. It engagingly paves the way for viewers to better understand today’s artwork through examination of the American craft movement. It’s an important historical survey that brings to life the movement’s dynamic evolution, and it includes more than 120 objects that exemplify art that is craft based. In these works, people express their innate creativity through common materials, everyday themes, individual design, myriad forms, and brilliant uses of color. The pieces serve, also, as cultural and social mirrors of the times in which they were made. Craft in America: Expanding Traditions has been enriched with select objects from Mingei’s own contemporary craft collection. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)
— Darlene G. Davies, photo by Anthony Scoggins

Culture Calendar

December

Ongoing: Juried Fine Art Show
The Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League (COAL) presents a juried fine art show by COAL members every Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) on the lawn in front of the Carlsbad Inn. Admission is free. (www.carlsbadinnart.blogspot.com)

Thru 12/23: Cry-Baby
The John Waters cult film gets a theatrical polish in this hilarious new musical staged at the La Jolla Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org)

Thru 12/29: Lillian Bassman Exhibition
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents an exhibition of fashion photographs by legendary photographer Lillian Bassman. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)

Thru 12/30: American Viewing Stones And Chinese Woodblock Prints
Two complementary exhibits are featured at Mingei International Museum. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)

Thru 12/30: Cerca Series: Iana Quesnell
On view at MCASD’s La Jolla location, artist Iana Quesnell investigates nomadism and temporary living situations, engaging drawing as a mediating tool between her own body and her immediate surroundings. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

Thru 12/30: Soundwaves: The Art Of Sampling
This exhibit features artists who appropriate the musical process of sampling their work, either through the incorporation of found sound or through visual and material references. These artists combine and recontextualize diverse snippets of music, film, pop culture, and history to create new connotations and experiences. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

Thru 1/1/08: Contemporary Israeli Photography
The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum presents an exhibit showcasing the faces of Israel’s founding leaders, children in Torah class, ancient Israeli architecture, and religious rituals. Select prints from the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition will available for purchase. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

Thru 1/6/08: Public Privacy: Wendy Richmond’s Surreptitious Cellphone
Like the thousands of surveillance cameras that hide in public, Richmond records people engaged in simple, personal actions, such as sipping coffee or riding the subway. Museum of Photographic Arts. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

Thru 1/13/08: Picturing Eden
Organized by the George Eastman House, Picturing Eden examines the many facets of paradise, from a place of contemplation and restoration to a site of loneliness and despair. The exhibition includes work by more than 30 artists. Museum of Photographic Arts. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

Thru 1/13/08: Drawn To Rome: French Neoclassical Sketchbooks And Prints
Timken Museum of Art presents an exhibition of sketchbooks, albums, and prints that played a key role in the education of young French artists and architects in the second half of the 18th century.
(619/239-5548, ext. 105, www.timkenmuseum.org)

Thru 1/16/08: Tomas Rivas
Works by artist in residence Tomas Rivas will be on view at Lux Art Institute in Encinitas. (760/436-6611, www.luxartinstitute.org)

Thru 1/27/08: Everett Gee Jackson/San Diego Modern, 1920-1955
The San Diego Museum of Art presents a major retrospective of the work of Everett Gee Jackson, one of the region’s most important Modernist artists, featuring more than 50 works that span the most significant and productive decades of the artist’s career. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)

Thru 2/22/08: Jewish/Polish Posters: Communist Era To Present
A collection of posters produced during the post-war Communist era at The Gotthelf Art Gallery, part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus. (sdcjc.lfjcc.org)

Thru 2/29/08: Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s newest IMAX offering brings viewers into the up close and personal world of marine reptiles that ruled the seas during the dinosaur age. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org)

Thru 4/13/08: Robert Irwin: Primaries And Secondaries
MCASD presents an exhibition featuring five new installation pieces by the Robert Irwin, four of which premiere in San Diego. Primaries and Secondaries runs through February 22 at the Jacobs Building, and then moves to 1001 Kettner through April 13. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

Thru 5/08: The Beauty Of Use — Mingei International Museum At 30
In commemoration of the museum’s 30th anniversary year, this exhibition features significant objects from many cultures shown in relationships that highlight similarities and differences among them. Mingei International Museum has formed a collection of art that now comprises 17,000 objects from 141 countries. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)

Thru 5/31/08: Dressing A City: Selected Styles From Marston’s Department Store, 1878-1961
San Diego Historical Society’s Museum of San Diego History will honor Marston’s by showcasing numerous costume pieces from its costume and textile collection. (619/232-6203, www.sandiegohistory.org)

12/1: Eric Marienthal And Chuck Loeb
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

12/1: Café Tacuba
4th & B. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

12/1: Holiday Jubilee
This festive performance features acrobats, stunts, singing, dancing, comedy, and music. Performances at 4pm and 8pm, and a holiday tree-lighting ceremony will take place between performances. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

12/2: Blues Traveler With Jesse Malin
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

12/4-5: Social Distortion
House of Blues San Diego. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

12/6-8: Ahmad Jamal
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

12/6-1/13/08: The Antarctic Peninsula
The Ordover Gallery presents Abe Ordover’s intriguing photographic studies of the undulating blue ice found in icebergs in Paulette, Booth, Deception, and Elephant Islands. An opening reception takes place on Thursday, December 20, from 6-8pm. (858/720-1121, www.ordoverproject.com)

12/8: Ed McMahon’s Memories Of The Tonight Show
Poway Center for the Performing Arts presents a journey through three decades of an American institution with the loveable legend who coined the phrase, "Heeeeere’s Johnny!" (858/748-0505, www.powayarts.org)

12/8: An Irish Christmas
Kerry Records presents Irish musicians, dancers, and singers in a joy-filled celebration of a Christmas evening in Ireland. Special guests include Riverdance stars Darren Maguire and Maeve Croke, as well as David Munnelly, button accordion sensation. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

12/8: Gift Wrapping With Vicky Mihara
Origami artist Vicky Mihara will share elegant techniques for quick gift wrapping using traditional Japanese methods. Materials provided; $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Mingei International Museum (760/735-3355, www.mingei.org)

12/9: Star 94.1 Jingle Ball
Featuring Matchbox 20, Duran Duran, Lenny Kravitz, and Vanessa Carlton. San Diego Sports Arena. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

12/13: Mannheim Steamroller
San Diego Sports Arena. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

12/16: The Music Men Chorus Christmas Show
At Church of the Resurrection in Escondido, The Music Men will sing traditional Christmas carols and popular holiday songs in full a cappella harmony. While many members of The Music Men are retired, they remain very active by volunteering their time in community service roles. (760/730-9600, www.musicmenchorus.org)

12/16: Handel’s Messiah
Under the direction of Jung-Ho Pak, the San Diego Chamber Orchestra gives an inspiring performance of Handel’s Messiah. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

12/18: Tribute To Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — Fire Victim’s Benefit
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

12/21-23: Count Basie Orchestra
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

12/27: Dancing With The Stars
San Diego Sports Arena. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

12/29: Pete Escoveda Orchestra
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

12/29: KC & The Sunshine Band
4th & B. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

12/31: Reverend Horton Heat
House of Blues San Diego. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

1/4/08: Charmaine Clamor
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

1/12/08: Lavay Smith And Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)

2/26-27/08: Pat Metheny
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

3/19-5/16/08: Jewish Women: A Lifetime of Art
This exhibition presents four mavens of the San Diego Jewish community who have enhanced our community with their extensive collections of work and lifetime of experience in the world of art. The Gotthelf Art Gallery, part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus. (www.sdcjc.lfjcc.org)

3/29-6/30/08: Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes
Maya Lin presents a trip of large-scale sculptural installations that offer a different means for viewers to encounter and comprehend the landscape. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego downtown.
(858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)