There are few signature roles for actors in the South Sound. So many theaters stage the same shows that it is hard to find one role an actor essentially owns to the point that any other theater staging the same play would simply be producing it in the shadow of greatness. A few of the exceptions are Mari Nelson as Cleopatra in Harlequin Production’s take on Antony and Cleopatra. But to be fair, Nelson has a tendency to own every role she plays to the point that any actress unfortunate to follow her in a role should ask for forgiveness before she takes the stage. I can’t think of a role Nelson has taken that hasn’t left me captivated by her ability. She is just an amazing actress. Another of those seminal actor roles is that of Micheal O’Hare as the Man of La Mancha. He owned that role long before he ever took to the Lakewood Playhouse stage to perform it. If the theater was smart enough to blow through copyright rules and burn CDs of that performance, I would buy up several of them just to make sure my copy didn’t get worn out from overuse. Of course, his role as the Engineer in Miss Saigon was amazing as well, but O’Hare was made for La Mancha.

And the third example of an actor completely owning a role just happens to be taking to a South Sound stage this holiday season. Jeff Kingsbury is reprising his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in Capital Playhouse’s production of Scrooge the Musical.

His version of the humbugged curmudgeon is a perfect mix of evil and wounded bird. Everything about his performance was magic. He didn’t become Scrooge. He was Scrooge incarnate with dance shoes and a great set of pipes.

What made the show even more perfect was the musical direction of the ever-talented Troy Arnold Fisher and the depth of a supporting cast that was likely the most veteran troupe of actors to take to a stage in the South Sound in generations. Chris Serface was there, as was Adam Randolph. Both are familiar names to those who follow this column because they land quality performances each and every time they take to a stage.

This is a show to watch and enjoy on a rainy South Sound night this holiday season. After the show, thank your maker for all of your many blessings and don’t forget to add this show and Capital Playhouse in general.

[Capital Playhouse, Scrooge the Musical, through Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, plus Dec. 20  and 21 2 p.m.., $25 to $37, 612 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.2744, www.capitalplayhouse.com]

Also on stage

Aladdin

Centerstage Theatre is continuing its tradition of bringing a traditional English panto to South Sound audiences. This year’s offering is Aladdin, by Paul Hendy. This concoction of fairy tale, buffoonery, vaudeville, and popular music bears no relation whatsoever to the silent talents of performers such as Marcel Marceau. Women play men; men play women; some of the jokes are two or three centuries old, and some of the comic routines date back to the earliest days of English theater.

After its run at the Knutzen, Aladdin transfers to The Theatre On The Square in Tacoma for a few shows between Dec. 18 and 21. Visit Broadwaycenter.org for more information about those shows.

[Knutzen Family Theater, through Dec. 14, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, $8-$25, 3200 S.W. Dash Point Road, Federal Way, 253.661.1444, www.centerstagetheatre .com]

19th Century Christmas

Experience a real old-fashioned Christmas Yule season by visiting Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s 19th Century Christmas Saturday at the fort in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern holidays and step back in time to savor the slower pace of the season in 1855.

[Point Defiance Park, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $2-$4, 5400 N. Pearl, Tacoma, 253.591.5339, www.fortnisqually.org]

Stardust for Christmas

Harlequin Productions is well into its holiday mode as it stages Stardust for Christmas, the latest installment of the theater’s original series of shows set in a New York nightclub during World War II. 

[State Theater, through Dec. 29, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, with special added dates, $34-$38, 202 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.786.0151, www.harlequinproductions.org]

The Slipper & the Rose

Romance is making its West Coast premiere as it retells the classic Cinderella story through music and dance.

[Tacoma Musical Playhouse, through Dec. 21, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $18-$25, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867]