MunOpCo Music Theater returns after more than a year on hiatus with a holiday show and Civic Theatre of Allentown presents a family show based on a beloved children’s book.

MunOpCo will present “Tree of Lights: A Musical Celebration of Christ’s Birth,” Dec. 13, Lipkin Theatre, Northampton Community College.

Civic will stage “Hershel and the Hannukah Goblins,” Dec. 12 to Dec 21, Civic Theatre514.

MunOpCo is holding its first production since it staged “Rock of Ages” in September 2024.

The company, Allentown’s oldest community theater, postponed its production of “Urinetown, The Musical” that was scheduled for February because of “financial impacts and timing considerations,” according to its board of directors.

In spring, the company sent out a survey looking for suggestions from the public about the future of the organization.

Newly-elected board president Daniel Petrovich says the company’s 98th season opens with the holiday show and the new board is reviewing shows for late spring or early summer. The board includes Cheryl Dreas, vice president, and Darice Hoffman, secretary.

“Tree of Lights” is a contemporary Christian cantata compiled and directed by Terri Williams.

Terri and her late husband Larry Williams, were leaders of MunOpCo for 22 years before moving to Florida in 2015. After Larry died in 2019, Terri founded Green Room Productions and presented the first “Tree of Lights” as a one-act concert in Palm Coast, Fla., in 2020.

The concert became an annual Christmas tradition in Palm Coast, and this year, Terri decided to bring it to Pennsylvania for the first time to direct it at MunOpCo.

Written and arranged by Phil Barfoot, “Tree of Lights” takes the audience on a journey through the Biblical Bethlehem using pop, gospel and country versions of Christmas classics and new creations.

MunOpCo was established in 1927 in Allentown, and is the sixth-oldest municipal opera company in the United States and is the oldest theater group linked to a recreation commission.

“Tree of Lights, A Musical Celebration of Christ’s Birth,” 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Munopco Music Theatre, Lipkin Theatre, Northampton community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. 610-437-2441, https://www.munopco.org/

Civic Theatre of Allentown will bring to life “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” with actors and puppetry in Civic Theatre514.

“Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” is based on the Caldecott Honor children’s picture book written by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman in 1989.

The story is about the Jewish folk hero and trickster figure Hershel of Ostropol, challenging and defeating through guile a series of goblins during the eight nights of Hanukkah, culminating in a showdown with the King of the Goblins on the final night.

In 1999, Minneapolis theater Z Puppets Rosenschnoz adapted the book for the stage.

In the show, Hershel uses wit, bravery and a bit of trickery to outsmart the goblins who have stolen Hanukkah from a small village.

The production is directed by Nick Conti and Kelcie Kosberg, the latter creating the goblin puppets. Kosberg’s puppets was last seen on stage in Civic’s production of “Shrek The Musical.”

“Hershel and the Hannukah Goblins,” 6 p.m. Dec. 12, 18, 19, 20; 2:30 p.m., 6 p.m., Dec. 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 21, Theatre514, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 514 N. 19th St., Allentown. 610-432-8943; https://civictheatre.com/

“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