'What's On' - Upcoming Shows in Cleveland - 12/1 to 12/31

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is an annual holiday tradition in Cleveland. Great Lakes Theater's twenty-third annual production – with actor Aled Davies returning for his fourth season as Ebenezer Scrooge - runs from December 2nd to 23rd at the Hanna Theatre. Evening performances are at 7:30pm with matinee performances available on Saturdays and Sundays.

This well-known holiday tale is told as a story within a story in this adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL by former Great Lakes Theater Artistic Director Gerald Freeman. When a Victorian-era family gathers to read the Dickens book on Christmas Eve, the youngest child pictures friends and family as the characters, bringing the classic story to life.

Tickets range from $28 to $60 for adults and are $26 for students. Purchase tickets online at www.greatlakestheater.org or through the PlayhouseSquare box office at 216.241.6000. The Ohio Theatre is located at 1511 Euclid Avenue, in the midst of PlayhouseSquare.

THE GAME'S AFOOT (OR HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS)
Ken Ludwig's THE GAME'S AFOOT makes its world premiere at the Cleveland Play House. The comedic play runs through December 24th. Evening performances are Tuesday to Sunday with weekday and weekend matinee performances available.

Famed Sherlock Holmes actor William Gillette invites a small group of friends over to his Connecticut mansion on Christmas Eve. In the midst of their celebration, one of the guests is murdered and Gillette takes it upon himself to use his detective skills to solve the crime and discover the killer. THE GAME'S AFOOT is a murder mystery filled with quick wit and classic comedy.

Tickets range from $41 to $69 for adults. Purchase tickets online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com or through the PlayhouseSquare box office at 216.241.6000. The Allen Theatre is located at 1407 Euclid Avenue, the new home of the Cleveland Play House.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
The Beck Center for the Performing Arts presents an encore presentation of last season's hit musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT from December 2nd to 31st. Evening performances are at 7:30pm and weekend matinee performances are at 2:30pm.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is a retelling of the biblical story of Joseph with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Joseph's eleven brothers are jealous of him because of his ability to interpret dreams and the fact that he's their father's favorite. Sold into slavery by his brothers and sent to jail, Joseph eventually becomes the Number Two man in Egypt and finds his family again.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors (65 and older), $17 for students (with a valid ID) and $10 for children (under 12). Purchase tickets online at www.beckcenter.org or by calling the box office at 216.521.2540, ext. 10. The Beck Center is located at 17801 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood, ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland.

THE THREE PHANTOMS IN CONCERT
The Cleveland Pops, under the baton of Carl Topilow, presents THE THREE PHANTOMS OF BROADWAY on Saturday, December 31st at 9pm at Severance Hall. This New Year's Eve Gala is one of the hottest tickets in town and includes a midnight balloon drop and dance reception after the concert.

THE THREE PHANTOMS OF BROADWAY will feature vocalists Gary Mauer, Craig Schulman and Ciaran Sheehan singing solos, duets and trios. The program offers hit Broadway songs from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SWEENEY TODD, JEKYLL & HYDE, WEST SIDE STORY and more.

Tickets range from $44 to $108. Purchase tickets online at www.clevelandpops.com/concerts.htm or by calling the box office at 216.231.1111. Severance Hall is located at 11001 Euclid Avenue, just east of downtown Cleveland.

Photo Credit: Aled Davies in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Photo by Roger Mastroianni