Theater

Another Night Before Christmas This home-invasion Christmas story posits a dude who claims to be Santa and is caught in the home of a skeptical, sensible woman. You can bet that, by the 90-minute mark, she will have learned the true reason for the season. This year's American Heartland holiday show, a world premiere, comes somewhat pedigreed, with book and music by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto (the duo behind such recent Heartland premieres as Married Alive! and A Dog's Life). Encouraging sign: Instead of a series of vignettes based on a theme, this show actually promises a dramatic structure. Through Dec. 30 at American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center, 2450 Grand, 816-842-2999. (Alan Scherstuhl)