In the United States, Christmas Eve children wait anxiously for the arrival of Santa Claus, but in Latin America, the young people watch for the posada, a parade led by Mary and Joseph. Playwright Octavio Solis (Santos & Santos, Man of the Flesh) and composer Marcos Loya took this tradition to craft their musical play, La Posada Magica, returning to South Coast Repertory Theatre Dec. 7-23 for the eighth year in a row.

When fourteen year old Gracie contemplates the death of her baby brother, she doesn't feel much like celebrating Christmas Eve. But when the posada passes by her house, she is swept up in the procession. Mischievously blowing out the candles that lead the posada on its way, Gracie takes them on a new journey, during which she rediscovers the power of the holiday.

La Posada Magica features Denise Blasnor (Consuelo/Widow), Danny Bolero (Papi/Jose Cruz), Sol Castillo (Refugio/Buzzard), Richard Coca (Eli/Lauro/Bones), Carla Jimenez (Caridad/Widow), Lorenzo Martinez (Musician/Ensemble), Geoffrey Rivas (Horatio), Tiffany Ellen Solano (Gracie) and Teresa Velarde (Mom/Mariluz).

Tickets are $19-$34. South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For reservations, call (714) 708-5555. South Coast Repertory is on the web at http://www.scr.org.

— By Christine Ehren