THEATER REVIEW:

With the opening of “A Christmas Carol” at South Coast Repertory for the 29th time and “It’s a Wonderful Life” in its second go-round at Vanguard University, the holiday season definitely has arrived.

At South Coast Repertory, actors come and actors go in the annual “Carol.” Long-timers John Ellington, Don Took, Ron Boussom, Howard Shangraw and Martha McFarland aren’t with the show any more, but two elements remain unchanged — director John-David Keller doing another Hitchcockian turn and actor Hal Landon Jr. once again bringing Ebenezer Scrooge back to life. Neither has missed a season.

Has it really been 29 years? I needed to look no further than my 29-year-old daughter seated next to me at Saturday’s performance to realize how much time has passed since Jerry Patch turned Charles Dickens’ classic story into a South Coast Rep tradition.

And no matter how many times you’ve seen the show (and I’ve seen them all), “A Christmas Carol” is calculated to warm the heart and, occasionally, tickle the funny bone. Landon’s quip, “I like the dark [pause], it’s cheap,” never fails to rouse the audience, and his hat-donning somersault late in the show always reaps applause.

Landon is the quintessential Scrooge, obviously enjoying sharing his “spiritual” journey with each new audience, and founding South Coast artists Richard Doyle (ghost of Christmas past) and Art Koustik (Joe the street fence) continue to play the “Dickens” out of their characters.

Daniel Blinkoff is settling splendidly into the role of Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s dirt-poor clerk with six mouths to feed who revels in the yuletide season, as does Louis Lotorto, now charged with goading Ebenezer into the holiday spirit.

The other specters — returnees Tom Shelton as Jacob Marley’s chain-clanking ghost and Timothy Landfield as the ebullient spirit of Christmas present — are particularly noteworthy.

Christopher Huntley, who shares the role of young Ebenezer with Lucas Blankenhorn, offers some sharp insight into the circumstances that shaped the future miser’s life. Keller and Karen Hensel are joyous as young Scrooge, while Jennifer Parsons is a tangy Mrs. Cratchit.

How long can “A Christmas Carol” go on? Probably as long as Christmas itself judging by the talent and enthusiasm with which the tradition is rekindled each year. Wassail!

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “A Christmas Carol”

WHERE: South Coast Repertory Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, noon and 4 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 27

COST: $34 to $59

CALL: (714) 708-5555

Vanguard’s “Wonderful Life,” meanwhile, continues a much more abbreviated tradition, inaugurated last December, with a new director (Myrona DeLaney) and a new cast, with one notable exception — Aaron Campbell returns in the central role of George Bailey, the fellow who finds his “miserable” life to be wonderful.

Campbell, who impressed last year, is even stronger this time around, approaching the feel of James Stewart’s memorable movie performance with his folksy demeanor and turning up the emotional burners when required.

In the current production, he’s matched in effectiveness by John Worsham’s contemptible Mr. Potter, the shady banker and Bailey’s rival in the financial field. Worsham splendidly conveys an evil character while resisting the temptation of melodramatic villainy.

Kelsey Johnston is quite luminous as Mary, whom George woos and weds, although audiences may have their fill of her frequent “Buffalo Gals” rendition. Joseph Spady is a properly ineffective Uncle Billy, curiously minus the drinking problem.

The wingless angel, Clarence, is cunningly interpreted by Aaron Wheeler, while Allison Schlicher is a captivating Violet, the town temptress. Sheila O’Hara has a few strong moments as George’s mother, while Brandon Arias is fine as the local long arm of the law.

While hardly measuring up to the professional “Christmas Carol” at South Coast Repertory, Vanguard’s “Wonderful Life” will stir the heartstrings and summon the holiday spirit. Who can ask for more?

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “It’s a Wonderful Life”

WHERE: Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Closing performances 8 tonight and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday.

COST: $15 to $12

CALL: (714) 668-6145

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.