Denver Center of the Performing Arts, $33 

Denver Center of the Performing Arts, $33

Want to ensure that you don't get roped into planning family outings next holiday season? Take your family to "The Santaland Diaries"  instead of "A Christmas Carol." Adapted from David Sedaris's book, this show follows the poor sap who dresses as an elf at Macy's for Christmas. It's full of insight, cynicism and a good dose of the hell this holiday has become.