From Charlie Brown to Chevy Chase, the holidays come to life on stage

Happy holidays! Between now and the end of the year you’ll find an array of family-friendly options on area stages. So, while you’re busy making your list and checking it twice, here are a variety of shows from Charlie Brown to Chevy Chase to consider seeing at home and nearby.

DAYTON

Elf: The Musical

Through Dec. 31, La Comedia Dinner Theatre

Buddy is back! The young orphan raised by Santa who excitedly embarks on a journey to New York City to discover his true identity and reconnect with his family features a tuneful score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin ("The Wedding Singer"). Thursday-Sunday evenings and Thursday, Friday and Sunday matinees at La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro. Tickets are $30-$74 with special $10 discounted "Snowbird Special" performances Dec. 27-29. Call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit lacomedia.com.

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A Gift to Remember

Through Nov. 24, Brookville Community Theatre

Joseph Robinette's adaptation of Debbie Macomber's book "Can This Be Christmas?" concerns a group of New England strangers trying to make it home before Christmas who ultimately become friends after their train is sidelined to a small New Hampshire depot. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at Brookville Community Theatre, 770 Arlington Road, Brookville. Tickets are $17. Call (937) 833-3531 or visit brookvillecommunitytheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol

Through Nov. 24, Troy Civic Theatre

It wouldn't be the holidays without this Charles Dickens classic, adapted here by Patrick Barlowe, concerning Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the Barn in the Park, 275 Adams St., Troy. Tickets are $14. Call (937) 339-7700 or visit troycivictheatre.com.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Nov. 30, Nutter Center

TSO's "Christmas Eve and Other Stories" winter tour returns with an all-new staging and effects. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Nutter Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton. Tickets are $49.50-$79.50. Call 1-800-745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

The Midtown Men: Iconic ‘60s Holiday Hits Show

Dec. 1, Victoria Theatre Association

The stars from the original Broadway cast of "Jersey Boys" reunite for an evening of holiday classics as well as their signature renditions of some of the greatest rock and roll hits of the 1960s. 7 p.m. at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. Tickets are $38-$65. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

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A Celtic Tenors Christmas

Dec. 6, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson will join forces for a harmonic evening of Irish classics and holiday tunes in this DPO SuperPops concert. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. Tickets are $24-$82. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

How Hans, Christian & Anderson Melted the Snow Queen

Dec. 6-15, Beavercreek Community Theatre

This fractured fairy tale by Lisa Like-Stokely includes Thumbelina, who is transformed into a beautiful ballerina, and Bruno, a tin solider who dances hip hop. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at Beavercreek Community Theatre, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Tickets are $5-$15. Call (937) 429-4737 or visit bctheatre.org.

Junior Claus

Dec. 6-22, Town Hall Theatre

The only son of Santa and Mrs. Claus must take the reins on Christmas Eve and spread the Christmas spirit in order to protect the family business. 7 p.m. Fridays and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (with a special 11 a.m. sensory matinee Dec. 14) at Town Hall Theatre, 27 N. Main St., Centerville. Tickets are $10-$15. Call (937) 433-8957 or visit townthalltheatre.org.

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In the Spirit of … Abundant Blessings

Dec. 7-8, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

This popular celebration of the African-American church told through song and dance will feature the legendary Shirley Murdock and gospel ensemble Judah Band. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. Tickets are $28. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

Sweet Sounds of the Holidays

Dec. 8, Bach Society of Dayton

Traditional carols and bell ringing are on the program as guitarist Jim McCutcheon, Kettering Children's Choir Chorale, and Kettering Advent Ringers join Bach Society Chorus. 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Kettering Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Road, Kettering. Tickets are $15-$25. Call (937) 294-2224 or visit bachsocietyofdayton.org.

Children’s Christmas Play

Dec. 13, Brookville Community Theatre

Written by Don Cordes and Larry Lindstrom, this 30-minute children’s play, presented in connection with Brookville’s Christmas in the Park celebration, concerns a family who receives a special, magical housewarming gift three days before Christmas. Anyone attending the Park celebration will receive a ticket to attend the free play at the 6:30, 7:30 or 8 p.m. Friday performances at Brookville Community Theatre, 770 Arlington Road, Brookville.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas

Dec. 13-16, Sinclair Community College

Charles M. Schulz's timeless, musical tale of friendship and goodwill returns to Sinclair. 7 p.m. Friday, 2, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, and 12 p.m. Monday in Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, on campus at 444 W. Third St., Dayton. Tickets are $8. Call (937) 512-2808 or visit sinclair.edu/tickets.

The Nutcracker

Dec. 13-23, Dayton Ballet

This beloved classic featuring Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky's gorgeous music boasts a cast of over 100 children, including dancers from Dayton Ballet II Junior Company, along with 16 dancers from Dayton Ballet II Senior Company, and 19 professional dancers from Dayton Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 and 6 p.m. Sundays, and 2:30 p.m. Monday (with a special 2 p.m. sensory matinee Dec. 20) at Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. Tickets are $18-$83. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

A Million Dollar Christmas

Dec. 14, Springfield Arts Council

This holiday spinoff of "Million Dollar Quartet" features songs by Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash. 8 p.m. Saturday in Kuss Auditorium of Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield. Tickets are $32-$59. Visit ticketmaster.com.

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Elisabeth von Trapp and Friends

Dec. 14, Human Race Theatre Company

Elisabeth von Trapp, granddaughter of Maria and Captain von Trapp of "The Sound of Music" fame, provides a concert of holiday favorites with Human Race regulars. 8 p.m. Saturday at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Tickets are $30-$55. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

Handel’s Messiah

Dec. 18, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

The holiday tradition of Handel's "Messiah" returns as a DPO Special Event featuring DPO Chamber Choir. 7 p.m. Wednesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Wilkinson St., Dayton. Tickets are $19-$37. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

The Jazz Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas

Dec. 28, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi's iconic score to "A Charlie Brown Christmas," including such favorites as "Christmas Time is Here" and "Linus and Lucy," is spotlighted by the DPO with Steinway Artist Jim Martinez who will perform with his jazz quartet and offer reflections of his association to the family of Charles M. Schulz. 8 p.m. Saturday at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. Tickets are $24-$82. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

CINCINNATI

A Magical Cirque Christmas

Nov. 19, Cincinnati Arts Association

Talented cirque artists are joined by vocalists for an evening of holiday hits and impressive acrobatics. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati. Tickets are $35-$150. Call (513) 621-2787 or visit cincinnatiarts.org.

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A Christmas Carol

Nov. 27-Dec. 29, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Human Race Theatre Company resident artist and Wright State University acting professor Bruce Cromer embarks on his 15th acclaimed season portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in Howard Dallin's adaptation of this Charles Dickens classic. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati. Tickets are $30-$72. Call (513) 421-3888 or visit cincyplay.com.

Holiday Pops with Megan Hilty

Dec. 13-15, Cincinnati Pops

Hilty, star of NBC's "Smash" and Broadway's "9 to 5" and "Wicked," sings holiday favorites with the Cincinnati Pops. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati. Tickets are $15-$125. Call (513) 381-3300 or visit cincinnatisymphony.org.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told

Dec. 13-29, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Three actors appear in this slightly irreverent look at a slew of holiday favorites from Dickens and Dr. Seuss to Rudolph, Frosty and Charlie Brown. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 1195 Elm St., Cincinnati. Tickets are $40-$60. Call (513) 381-2273 or visit cincyshakes.com.

Awaited

Dec. 20-23, Cincinnati Arts Association

Brought to the stage by over 80 performers, this musical incorporates original music and choreography along with holiday classics. 8 p.m. Friday and 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati. Tickets are $25-$100. Call (513) 621-2787 or visit cincinnatiarts.org.

COLUMBUS

An Evening with Chevy Chase with a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Dec. 21, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts

Squirrel!!! After watching this 1989 holiday classic, you'll be treated to Chevy Chase discussing his hilarious, outstanding and iconic portrayal of Clark Griswold, who memorably admits his family's Christmas get-together had arrived at "the threshold of hell." 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus. Tickets start at $53. Call 1-800-745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Dec. 22, Columbus Association for the Performing Arts

New York City is the backdrop for this hip hop spin on the familiar holiday tale featuring dancers, a DJ and an electric violinist. MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop's founding fathers, opens the show with a short set. 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus. Tickets start at $30. Call 1-800-745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

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