DeSales University Act 1 Theater gears up for Christmas with a “holiday whodunit” and Northampton Community College Theatre Department finishes 2025 with an update of a 19th century classic.

Northampton Community College is presenting “Hedda Gabler,” Nov. 20 to Nov. 24 in the Lab Theater on the Bethlehem Township campus.

Act 1 is staging “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays,” Nov. 20 to Dec. 2 on the Main Stage in Labuda Center for the Performing Arts in Center Valley.

Act 1’s holiday production combines mystery with Christmas cheer in “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays,” written by prolific playwright Ken Ludwig (“Lend Me a Tenor,” “Crazy for You”).

In the comedic play, it’s Christmas Eve in Connecticut and William Gillette, recovering from an attempt on his life, has invited his fellow actors and friends to help him solve the mystery of who shot him.

Gillette, known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the theater, adopts the persona of the famous sleuth and plans an evening of intrigue. When one of the guests at the estate is killed, it is up to Gillette to discover the murderer before the next victim disappears.

“The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays” won the 2012 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Mystery of the Year.

Anne Lewis, head of DeSales University’s Division of Performing Arts, directs the show.

Meet the actors after the show for a talk-back Nov. 23 and Dec. 2.

The Nov. 22 performance has open-captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired.

After the show Dec. 5, join the cast for “A Toast to Gillette After Party,” for hot chocolate, sweet treats, and crafty fun inspired by Sherlock Holmes. There will be themed activities, a mystery raffle and a toast to Gillette.

“The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 21, 22, Dec. 3, 4, 5, 6; 2 p.m. Nov. 23, Dec. 7; 9:45 a.m. Dec. 2, DeSales Act 1 Theatre, Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192; https://www.desales.edu

Patrick Marber’s 2016 adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” is a modern take on the classic drama, focusing on the psychological complexities of the title character, Hedda, and her struggles with societal expectations and personal desires.

Written in 1891, the play focuses on Hedda (Gabrielle Hondorp). The daughter of a general has just returned to her villa in Kristiania (now Oslo) from her honeymoon.

Her husband is George Tesman (Christopher Tempel), a young, aspiring academic who continued his research during their honeymoon.

It becomes clear in the course of the play that Hedda doesn’t love him and is bored with her marriage and life.

The appearance of George’s academic rival, Eilert Loveborg (Kyle Frazier), throws their lives into disarray. It becomes apparent Eilert and Hedda are former lovers.

Marber’s play, while rooted in Ibsen’s original, explores contemporary issues like gender roles, celebrity culture and the impact of the Internet. The adaptation aims to make Hedda a more relatable and empathetic figure, even amidst her manipulative and destructive actions and desire for power within the context of her failing marriage and societal expectations.

The cast includes Sofia Barbour, Travis Nugent and Azelia Dos-Santos.

Clair M. Freeman directs the drama.

“Hedda Gabler,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 21, 22, 24; 2 p.m. Nov. 23, Lab Theater, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. 484-484-3412, https://www.ncctix.org/

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com