‘Tis the season for holiday theater in the Twin Cities, but with so many options and so little time, what productions should a festive reveler select? Thankfully the diverse range of choices provides something for every taste and sensibility, even those entirely lacking in holiday cheer:

For those aficionados of Tchaikovsky’s revered fairy tale ballet (contemporary arrangement): Joyce Houston's Nutcracker Fantasy @ Hennepin Stages. 12/19/2008 - 12/24/2008.

For those aficionados of Tchaikovsky’s revered fairy tale ballet (nursery rhyme arrangement): The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose @ the Southern Theater. 12/13/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those aficionados of Tchaikovsky’s revered fairy tale ballet (traditional arrangement): The Classic Nutcracker @ Ballet Minnesota. 12/19/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those enthusiasts of Hanukkah themed folklore and/or puppetry: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblin @ the Minnesota Jewish Theatre. 12/4/2008 - 12/19/2008.

For those fans of scrappy street urchins with hearts of gold saving the holidays against impossible odds: Skid Row Kids Save Christmas @ Morris Park Players. 12/4/2008 - 12/13/2008.

For those hoping for an imaginative fable to capture the wonder of the holiday season: Ballet of the Dolls’ Little Match Girl @ the Ritz Theater. 12/11/2008 - 12/28/2008.

For those longing for peace on Earth this holiday season - even if for only one night: All is Calm - The Christmas Truce of 1914 @ Pantages Theatre. 12/18/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those looking for a contemporary musical take on Christmas goodwill: Another Night Before Christmas @ the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Now playing - 12/31/2008

For those pondering whether that department store Santa isn’t a little too convincing: Miracle on 34th Street @ Rosetown Playhouse. 12/5/2008 - 12/14/2008.

For those preferring their holidays with five parts gin and just a splash of vermouth: Martini & Olive’s Silent Night Fever @ Bryant Lake Bowl. 11/28/2008 - 12/27/2008

For those reconciling diverse faiths during the holiday season: A Servants’ Christmas @ the History Theatre. Now playing - 12/28/2008

For those searching for a gospel flavored celebration of the holiday season: Black Nativity @ the Penumbra Theatre. 11/28/2008 - 12/28/2008.

For those searching for a standards flavored celebration of the holiday season: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas @ the Ordway Center. 12/2/2008 - 01/3/2009.

For those seeking Christmas redemption (rural MN edition): A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol @ the Hennepin Stages. Now playing - 12/28/2008

For those seeking Christmas redemption (Victorian England edition): A Christmas Carol @ the Guthrie Theater. Now playing - 12/31/2008

For those smoldering with the Christmas spirit: All I Want for Christmas is 700 Billion Dollars @ the Brave New Workshop. Now playing - 1/10/2009

For those speculating whether Dickens had an original bleaker ending: A Christmas Carol Finale @ Bedlam Theatre.12/3/2008 - 12/10/2008.

For those spending Christmas Eve paging through the family photo albums: A Christmas Carole Peterson @ the Ordway Center. 11/28/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those still leaving out the milk and cookies each Christmas Eve: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus @ Lyric Arts. Now playing - 12/21/2008

For those suspecting that Scrooge unfairly stole the spotlight: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol @ Park Square Theatre. 11/26/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those that were warned, "You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.": A Christmas Story @ Mounds Theatre. 12/5/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those whose holidays swing, baby, swing with retro big-band sounds: 1940s Radio Hour @ Hennepin Stages. 12/4/2008 - 12/28/2008.

For those with stuffed animals at the top of their Christmas lists: Peef, the Christmas Bear @ Stages Theatre Company. Now playing - 12/29/2008.

For those with an unshakable fear and loathing of commercialized mirth: Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris @ Bryant Lake Bowl. 11/30/2008 - 12/21/2008.

For those wondering why Santa never brought them what they really wanted: Lost Letters to Santa @ Bryant Lake Bowl. 11/30/2008 - 12/21/2008.