theater

Azuka Theatre prides itself on presenting "thought-provoking and socially minded theater." Past presentations include Kafka's The Metamorphosis and a play about the Holocaust. They're a serious group, all right—but not too serious to take on bold-faced family-friendly farce, as comes with their latest production 'Twas the Night, a Looney Toons-ish, wildly comic show where pratfalls abound. "One of our goals is developing new audiences … and one of the best ways to do that is to go to the kids," says Kevin Glaccum, Azuka's producing artistic director, who admits that "this is a little more commercial than we normally do, but it falls within the bounds of our mission, which is to do new work."

Essentially a workplace story, replete with office romance, imperious director meltdown and revelations from the boss' daughter, the piece revolves around a low-budget TV station called upon to do an actual performance, not merely a recitation, of the famous poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas." Azuka's production stars Lee Etzold, Buck Schirner and Amanda Schoonover, among others.

Glaccum was attracted to this world premiere, written by Veronica Griego and directed by Domenick Scudera, because "there are no Christmas shows out there that are so broad-based and I liked filling that niche." Jazzed about 'Twas, he senses it's got the potential to be real hit: "Kids will giggle at all the frantic running around and the dialogue will appeal to the parents, who'll say, 'This is really funny.'"

'Twas the Night, Tue.-Wed., Dec. 6-7, 7 p.m., $15-$20, through Dec. 31, Independence Foundation Black Box, upstairs at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.