'A Christmas Carole Petersen'
It's been eight years since this holiday favorite took a bow. Now Tod Petersen (pictured) is back to channel his mother and serve up some signature cookies. During his hiatus, he played prominent roles at Children's Theatre ("Diary of a Wimpy Kid"), Theatre Latte Da ("Gypsy!") and the Ordway ("The Sound of Music"). Now he has returned home, so to speak, for a comic look at his family's holiday traditions in Mankato. Using songs and skits, he and supporting actors Sara Ochs, Ryan Lee and Dominique Wooten deck the halls for our pleasure. Co-creator Peter Rothstein directs, while Denise Prosek serves as music conductor in a show that's a little off the beaten path, competing against such seasonal standbys as the Guthrie's "A Christmas Carol," Penumbra's "Black Nativity" and the Ordway's "White Christmas." But it's worth a gander. (Nov. 30-Dec. 23. $30-$48. Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-339-3003, theaterlatteda.com.)
ROHAN PRESTON
