“Rock of Ages”
It’s the 10th anniversary for this jukebox musical that celebrates the hair metal songs of the 1980s. Nominated for five Tonys and adapted into a film starring Tom Cruise, the show uses the generic plot of two young people trying to make it in Hollywood to showcase re-imagined musical numbers by Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, and many others. (Nov. 15, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical”
Although there have been numerous “Rudolph” adaptations, this live musical takes its inspiration from the classic 1964 TV special. Obviously, we know you already teach your children that what makes you different can also make you special, but this show provides some nice reinforcement. (Nov. 16-17, Schuster Center, Dayton)
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David Feherty
This ex-professional golfer has become a real-life Happy Gilmore, bringing his irreverent wit as both an analyst on CBS Sports and to his self-titled interview series on the Golf Channel. This one-man show will include two hours of jokes and zany storytelling (Nov. 17, Taft Theatre)
“A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage!”
You watched it every year as a kid, now take your own kids (or grandkids) to see this live-action version of the Peanuts gang putting on their Christmas play and discovering the true meaning of the season. A meet-and-greet with the cast and kid-friendly Christmas activities will precede the show. (Nov. 17, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
Generation Axe
Get your 1980s hair metal groove on (again) with this supergroup that includes old-school guitar heroes, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) and relative newcomer, Tobin Abasi (Nov. 19, Taft Theatre).
The Beach Boys
The iconic surf rock band is coming to Dayton to help the Kettering Medical Center Foundation’s Heart to Heart Gala, which has raised over $7.5 million for heart-related research, care, and technology, celebrate its 30th anniversary. (Nov. 19, Mead Theatre of the Schuster Center)
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“A Christmas Carol”
Although the Playhouse performs this Dickens classic every year, don’t be misled into thinking it’s just another tired standard. The Playhouse production features lush sets and state-of-the-art special effects. (Nov. 21-Dec. 29, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park)
Monty Python’s “Spamalot”
Although the musical differs from the 1974 movie classic in many ways, rest assured there’s still plenty of silly sots, enough to win the Tony for Best Musical in 2005. (Nov. 23-25, Palace Theatre, Columbus)
WWE Starrcade
This WWE extravaganza includes a U.S. championship match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev (with Lana), a tag team championship match between The New Day and The Bar, WWE steel cage championship matches for men (A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe) and women (Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair), and a street brawl match between The Shield, Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, and Drew McIntyre. (Nov. 24, U.S. Bank Arena)
98 Degrees at Christmas
The Cincinnati-based boy band featuring Drew and Nick Lachey released their first Christmas album in nearly two decades with 2017’s “Let It Snow.” Come hear your holiday favorites filtered through their R&B-tinged, four-part harmonies. (Nov. 24, Aronoff Center for the Arts, $44.25-$84.25)
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Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews comes to Cincinnati quite frequently, but you’ll have to mosey northward to see him for Christmas in 2018. They released their ninth album, “Come Tomorrow,” last June, their seventh consecutive album to debut at No. 1. (Nov. 27, Schottenstein Center, Columbus)
“The Play That Goes Wrong”
Winner of the “Best New Comedy” Olivier Award in 2015, this play will instruct you in what happens when a small theater company tries to put on a murder mystery and everything falls apart (literally). (Nov. 27-Dec. 2, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
Trailer Park Boys
A special, live-action holiday version of the popular mockumentary TV show, which follows several trailer park residents. Watch them discover the true meaning of Christmas with the aid of drugs and alcohol. (Nov. 28, Taft Theatre)
Craig Ferguson
It might surprise you to know that even when he was hosting his megapopular late-late night talk show, Craig Ferguson never stopped doing stand-up. His 45-city “Hobo Fabulous” Tour stops in Columbus. No word on whether he’s bringing any puppets. (Nov. 28, Riffe Center Theater Complex, Columbus)
DECEMBER
Chris Tomlin
This contemporary Christian songwriter has sold over seven million albums. Suffice it to say he knows a few Christmas songs. (Dec. 1, Taft Theatre)
Death Cab for Cutie
When this acclaimed alternative rock band first came on the scene, they were dubbed “American Coldplay.” They released their ninth album, “Thank You For Today,” last August. (Dec. 3, Murat Theatre at Old National Center, Indianapolis)
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An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas starring Evan Tyrone Martin
Evan Tyrone Martin, a rising Chicago theater star who has appeared in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Oklahoma!,” will channel the legendary Nat King Cole, singing his holiday hits while relating his personal journey. (Dec. 5-7, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
The Piano Guys: Christmas Together
This classical music group, consisting of a pianist, cellist, videographer, and producer, is supporting their latest Christmas album (and seventh overall), “Christmas Together.” (Dec. 6, Murat Theatre at Old National Center, Indianapolis)
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker”
The story is relocated to New York City and the Tchaikovsky score is re-imagined with hip-hop choreography, breakdancing, an onstage DJ, and an electric violinist. (Dec. 7, Murat Theatre at the Old National Center; Dec. 8, Palace Theatre, Columbus)
Monster Jam
This motorsport racing and freestyle competition features the biggest wheels in the world. Participants will include Bounty Hunter, El Toro Loco, Grave Digger, Razin’ Kane and many more. (Dec. 7-8, Nutter Center, Dayton)
Holiday Pops
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, a troupe of dancers, and Ashley Brown, a CCM alumnus who appeared in “Mary Poppins” on Broadway, will perform all your holiday favorites. (Dec. 7-9, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
“Noel: The Musical”
A musical that champions the Christmas spirit of compassion and generosity, Noel is preparing for her starring role in a Christmas play when her mother disappears. To avoid being removed from her home, she keeps the disappearance a secret and tries to find her herself, meeting a group of homeless people along the way. (Dec. 8, Victoria Theatre, Dayton)
Sing Me A Story: The Night Before Christmas
This popular annual Christmas show has special guests read the classic poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” as the Cincinnati Boychoir sings both classic and contemporary Christmas songs. (Dec. 8, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
For King and Country Christmas
This Christian rock band is known for their lovely, harmonic melodies. Their take on traditional Christmas songs will surely recall the big arena anthems of old. (Dec. 8, Schottenstein Center, Columbus)
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Daughtry
Since wisely rejecting the offer to become Fuel’s lead singer, Chris Daughtry, a finalist on “American Idol” Season 5, has led a successful solo career. He released his fifth album, “Cage to Rattle,” last July. (Dec. 8, Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, Indianapolis)
“Rent”
This LGBT-themed contemporary Broadway classic is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The story of seven artists struggling to pursue their dreams in New York’s East Village under the shadow of HIV/AIDS won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony for Best Musical. (Dec. 11-18, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
“Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer”
Hear all your seasonal favorites interpreted through the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, complete with jingling bells and other special effects. The show will be hosted by Evans Mirageas, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Opera. (Dec. 12, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
“The Nutcracker”
The hipsters might make fun, but certain shows never go out of style. One of those is Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutracker,” where young Clara is whisked off to the Land of Sweets by the Nutcracker Prince. (Dec. 13-24, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The TSO returns to Dayton and Cincinnati to recreate their 1999 TV movie, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” about a runaway girl who finds refuge in an abandoned theatre on Christmas Eve, and experiences ghostly visions (in the form of musical performances) of the theatre’s holiday past. (Dec. 1, Nutter Center and Dec. 14, U.S. Bank Arena)
Straight No Chaser
The amazing story of Straight No Chaser is as familiar as their regular Cincinnati performances: the a cappella group whose mid-1990s college performance went viral on YouTube a decade later. They’ve released six albums since that time, including three Christmas albums. (Dec. 20, Taft Theatre)
“Crystal” by Cirque du Soleil
For the first time in their history, Cirque du Soleil is doing an ice-themed show. World-class acrobats and skaters will skate, tumble, flip, twist, jump, and perform perhaps the first pas de deux that takes place on both the ice and in the air. (Dec. 27-30, U.S. Bank Arena)
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
The adventures of Harry Potter’s second year at Hogwart’s include flying cars, the Whomping Willow and, of course, the horror inside the Chamber of Secrets. Watch the movie onscreen while the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra performs John Williams’s musical score live. (Dec. 28-30, Aronoff Center for the Arts)
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John Legend: A Legendary Christmas
The popular crooner of “All Of Me” and husband of Chrissy Teigen will perform a special Christmas show. (Dec. 9, Palace Theatre, Columbus; Dec. 10, Murat Theatre at Old National Theatre, Indianapolis)
Justin Timberlake: Man of the Woods Tour
The former NSYNC boy band member, Hollywood actor, and frequent Super Bowl halftime show performer has sold over 32 million albums. He’s touring in support of his fifth album, “Man of the House,” released last February. (Dec. 14, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)
“Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some)”
Inspired by the “Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” this 90-minute satirical romp takes you through every classic Christmas play, musical, movie, and TV special you grew up with. (Dec. 14-30, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company)
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Yes, you’ve seen “The Nutcracker.” But have you ever seen it performed by a ballet troupe from Tchaikovsky’s home country? See the Trepak (Russian dance) like you’ve never seen it before, and a few other uniquely Russian takes on the story. (Dec. 15, Express Live!, Columbus)
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Nowadays, reinterpreting Christmas songs are no big deal. But this electronic New Age band, founded by Chip Davis, was arguably the first to make modernizing Christmas carols “a thing.” (Dec. 23, Palace Theatre, Columbus)
“Americana Christmas”
Inspired by Norman Rockwell’s classic “Saturday Evening Post” covers, the Human Race Theatre Company will give a tuneful performance that evokes nostalgic memories. (Dec. 14-16, Loft Theatre, Dayton)
Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
The Cincinnati-based folk duo who decided to stay home despite national acclaim goes on a Christmas tour every year to perform their special spin on carols and other traditional songs. (Dec. 21-23, Memorial Hall)
Harlem Globetrotters
These gentlemen spend every New Year’s season with us. Come see them thrill the kids, mess with the refs, and dominate the other team (whoever that is). (Dec. 29, Cintas Center and Dec. 31, Nutter Center)
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