Most theatres are content to spend the holidays with a Scrooge or a Grinch. Not the B Street in Sacramento. They've done seven world premiere holiday plays, and they're about to produce number eight.

A Lot of Life by B Street co-founder and producing director Buck Busfield opens Nov. 25 for a run through Jan. 6, 2002. Busfield also directs.

A Lot of Life is the story of Jacob, a shopkeeper with a lot of problems. His livelihood is threatened by developers, his daughter is threatened by a suitor and his heart is threatened by life itself. Busfield is also the author of As Things Remain, Beneath the Moon, Beyond the Stars and And to All a Good Night.

Christopher Thom stars as Jacob with Dana Brooke as his daughter Elizabeth. Also in the cast are Jeff Asch, Loren Taylor and Neil Howard.

Tickets are $16.50. The B Street Theatre is located at 2711 B Street. For tickets and information, call (916) 443-5300. Founded by the Busfield brothers, "thirtysomething"'s Timothy and Buck, in 1992, the B Street has produced world premieres by such writers as "West Wing"'s Aaron Sorkin, Joe DiPietro and James McLure.

-- By Christine Ehren