Singing Loud For All To Hear: Buddy the Elf is coming to town! Based on the cherished 2003 cinematic hit, Elf (11/13-12/21), the musical has a great pedigree (lots of Tony winners on this creative team) and sure sounds like a new classic Christmas show in the making. Follow Buddy's adventures from the North Pole to New York and all the way to Seacoast Rep (Portsmouth) where you're sure to find an abundance of holiday spirit for the whole family to enjoy.

Holiday Traditions: They're classics for a reason, folks! Remember that The Nutcracker (11/20-23) only runs for a few performances, so snag those tickets early, then slip off your toe shoes and put your nightcap on for A Christmas Carol (11/28-12/28). The absolute best of holiday magic, and it's all happening in our own backyard at the Palace Theatre (Manchester)

What's Black & White & Fun All Over?: For a less... traditional take, may we recommend Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical (11/28-30)? Presented as the first TV special taped in a cable access studio in the convent basement (we should stage this in Bedford at BCTV!) it stars the nuns you love and features all new songs, including “Twelve Days Prior to Christmas,” “Santa Ain’t Comin’ to Our House,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are Us” and “It’s Better to Give than to Receive." We hear there's an interactive "Secret Santa" part of the show as well... check it out for yourself at The Majestic Theater (Manchester)

 Gen X Nostalgia: Get ready for the ultimate experience of the ultimate coming-of-age movie: it's Stand by Me: The Film and Its Stars 40 Years Later (12/4), and it's a chance to experience the summer that changed everything on the big screen one more time. Stick around after the show for an intimate, long-awaited reunion and live in-person conversation with the stars who lived it - Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Wil Wheaton - sharing memories, laughter, and secrets behind a film that still brings people together after all these years. At the Capitol Center for the Arts (Concord)

Editor's Pick:
 
 Okay, yes, fine, I'm in this show - so maybe it's a conflict of interest to make it my Editor's Pick. But while I have you, let me make the pitch for you to huddle up with me during the cold Minnesota winter. Here's the plot: a bunch of ice-fishing buddies concoct a plan to build “the grandmother” of all icehouses; a giant ice chateau, complete with a kitchen, opulent dining room, bedrooms, running water, a bathroom, a sauna, and, of course, ice fishing holes. The icehouse is obviously a huge undertaking, and has to be kept a secret from all of the guys’ wives. Are there silly jokes about buns? Yes. Men in dresses with Swedish accents committed to learning Method Acting? Also, yes. Minnesota accents? You betcha! (just don't listen too close to mine...)

Icehouse (11/7-11/16) It's a guaranteed great time, and we'd love to see you at Old Town Hall. Support local theater!  

UPENN at 16???: I just learned that John Legend (11/7) has a degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and he enrolled at the age of 16. Instead of following his peers to Wall Street or consulting, he gave the singing thing a go. Heck of a pivot. MGM Music Hall (Boston) is an excellent venue to see him live.

BeLocal: That's not just the name of Greet's sister publications, but a mindset. Hopefully, you have already decided to head to the BHS Theater after reading their advertorial elsewhere in this issue. If you haven't, support our school theater program and go see Troy, Gabby, and the rest of the crew at High School Musical (11/14-11/23).

I Love me Some Yacht Rock: I believe I saw The Full Cleveland (11/15) this spring. They reminded me of one of those wedding bands that, when you wake up the next day, was the highlight, not seeing a friend or family member commit to life with a stranger. There were four of us, and we made a game out of it. First person to call the song and band gets a point. I came in last. Hear me now, I am practicing, and will not be last this fall at The Rex (Manchester). You got that, Kerry?

Classic country, heart-stopping and raw: For anybody moaning about my Nail comment below, maybe this will help, but probably not. Randy Travis (11/21) CCA

At a Red Light: I don't know much more about David Nail (11/23) than that song, but man, does he nail it. Before country became blended with Tswift, this was what current country sounded like(Don't email about Merle, Hank, and Tammy... I get it, but country has morphed hard over the  past 20 years...) Tupelo Music Hall (Derry)

 

I have had a crush on this artist for over 30 years. Infatuation is a better description, perhaps. Her voice! Her smile! Her sultriness! I’d hear the soft lilt of her voice on the radio, and my soul would melt. Yet I do not think I have ever seen her live. While I am quite reluctant to pay hard-earned money for someone that I would describe as "great" 30 plus years ago, given past experiences(Ricki Lee Jones last Mother's Day comes to mind. She was angry and well past her vocal abilities, but Mom was a fan, so...) But I have watched recent performances of hers, and I can promise, she has not lost an ounce of essence.

Natalie Merchant.... Several places around New England