For anyone who has loved the story Nightmare Before Christmas and the magical way it combined the spirits of Halloween and Christmas, there is a big holiday treat in store with the live theater presentation Gary Peterson’s “Supernatural Dark Christmas Show.” It’s “supernatural” fun, with vampire elves, creepy Christmas music, and has an edgy spin to it, and awaits all who journey to The Encore Theatre at the border of North Hollywood and Sun Valley. Adults and families with kids about 10 and older will find it awesome.

Gary Peterson believes “the blending of magic and Christmas creates a wonderful opportunity to do a show that gives the holidays a new spin. For me the whole show is all about fun. Not to be too much of a cliché, but there really is something magical about Christmas. People are already embracing that spirit, with Santa the embodiment of magic for kids. When I was younger, as a professional magician, I always did tons of shows around Halloween and also Christmas. They were the two busiest times of the year.”

But Peterson isn’t making the rounds of theatres this year; he has built his own theatre to showcase the spectacular production. “I needed a theatre large enough to accommodate the grand-scale illusions I wanted to perform.”

In the magic world, “Supernatural Dark Christmas” is a big production, says Peterson. “There’s so much that has gone into the show; dancing girls, set pieces, elaborate lighting and sound design, all come together to present a polished production. And there aren’t that many facilities for that kind of show, so I created one next to my Encore Cases business on the border of North Hollywood and Sun Valley. It was a tremendous amount of work, but everyone who has seen it, has said, ‘Wow, we didn’t know this was here. It was worth the trip up Lankershim Boulevard.’ It’s really cool and people want to come back to see more shows.”

The Encore Theatre isn’t another “black box.” It’s an impressive entertainment center with a very intimate feel to it. There’s amazing lighting and sound. The experience is stunning, according to visitors. And as a performer, Peterson says the space is extraordinary.

Peterson himself is extraordinary too, with a very rich history in magic. He started as a kid as a junior magician at the Magic Castle. He worked with David Copperfield for years, and much more. And thanks to his background, Peterson wants to expand the shows at his Encore Theatre, which is a great addition to the NoHo Arts District, expanding it further north. “In February I’ll be doing a variety show with more magicians and other acts.”

But for now Gary Peterson’s “Supernatural Dark Christmas Show” will be playing Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 28, & 29. Shows on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. (no performance for the Dec. 7th, 3 p.m. show.) For tickets and information go to encoretheatre.com or supernaturalxmas.brownpapertickets.com. The Encore Theatre is located at 8818 Lankershim Blvd. in Sun Valley.

Use the code word “TOLUCAN” for discounted $15 tickets on the Brown Paper Tickets website. Use the code word “FAMILY” for discounted $50 family packs (2 adults & 2 children) on Brown Paper Tickets’ website. For questions, email or call .

Go for something supernatural and awesome.