1 ROCK
Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings their trademark flashing lights and pulsing beats with “The Lost Christmas Eve,” 8 p.m. Friday at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. Tickets are $44.50-$90.50. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.
2 ROBINSON
Singers, actors, dancing Santas and more will fill the stage of Little Rock’s Robinson Center Music Hall, West Markham and Broadway, for the Arkansas Symphony’s “Holiday Fantasy,” 7:30 p.m Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Music Director Philip Mann will preside over the Acxiom Pops Live! concerts, featuring a Broadway musical-style variety presentation penned and directed by the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s Nicole Capri. A pre-matinee children’s fair, 2 p.m. Sunday in the Robinson lobby, will feature photos with Santa, an instrument petting zoo and arts and crafts. Tickets are $18-$59, $10 for active military and students, free for K-12 students to the Sunday matinee with a paying adult (Entergy Kids’ Ticket). Call (501) 666-1761 or visit ArkansasSymphony.org.
3 REVUE
“Motown” will be the theme for the 13th annual “Over 40 Revue,” 6 p.m. Saturday in the ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel, 424 W. Markham St., Little Rock. The talent show will feature 20 singers, comedians and a magician, all at least 40 years of age, from across the state; there are cash prizes for the winners. Tickets are $30, $40 VIP, in advance, $45 and $60 at the door; proceeds to fund a scholarship for qualifying students attending a historically black college or university. Call (501) 551-0059.
4 RIVER LIGHTS
You may be used to all the Christmas lights by now, but you can see a lighting ceremony of a different kind at River Lights in the Rock, 5-8 p.m. today in Little Rock’s Riverfront Park. The Main Street, Junction and Clinton Presidential Park bridges will receive their first official illumination as part of Entergy Arkansas’ 100th anniversary in the ceremony, which will also feature music by the Natural State Brass Band and the Big Dam Horns. Admission is free. Call (501) 376-4781 or visit littlerock.com.
5 ROAR
Improvisation troupe ImprovLittleRock will celebrate Christmas with two shows at the Public Theatre, 616 Center St., Little Rock: “Christmas Claus Vacation Story: The Movie,” 10 p.m. Friday, an improvised Christmas movie based on audience suggestions, and “ImprovLittleRock’s Family Christmas,” 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets to each show are $8 at the door. Call (501) 374-7529 (PLAY).
6 RODEO Also at the Public Theatre, ahead of the “adult” shows, the members of teen improvisational troupe Armadillo Rodeo will perform at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Tickets are $8. Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/Armadillo.Rodeo.
7 REJOICE
Nearly 30 local celebrities including Ned Perme, Gov. Mike Beebe, Christina Munoz and a couple of surprises will show off their singing skills as KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz presents Christmas Celebrity Karaoke, 7 p.m. today at Verizon Arena, North Little Rock. Tickets are $49.50 for drinks and preferred seating, $34.50 for reserved seating and proceeds will benefit Youth Home. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com or 1037thebuzz.com. An official after-party follows at Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road, and admission is free with a Christmas Karaoke ticket stub.
8 RECEPTION
Are you a die-hard Downton Abbey fan? You can get a preview of Season 4 and experience a little of the lavish 1920s lifestyle as Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Road, Little Rock, hosts a special Roaring ’20s Cocktail Reception, 6:30 p.m. today. The evening includes drinks and hors d’oeuvres, a costume contest, prizes, music and dancing. Tickets are $50 and benefit AETN. A special preview screening starts at 7:30 p.m. and while admission is free, reservations are required. Call (800) 662-2386.
9 “RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER”
Share your favorite Christmas songs with the rocks, trees and wildlife as Pinnacle Mountain State Park presents its annual Caroling in the Forest, 7-9 p.m. Saturday. Meet at the Kingfisher Trailhead with a flashlight and prepare to sing as you stroll along the paved path. Hot chocolate will be served in the Pinnacle Pavilion after. Admission is free. Call (501) 868-5806 or visit arkansasstateparks.com.
10 REP, ETC.
It’s just a stage they’re going through:
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock, has extended through Jan. 5 the run of its world-premiere production of Because of Winn Dixie the Musical (music by Duncan Sheik, lyrics and book by Nell Benjamin, based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo). Shows are at 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday (that includes a Christmas evening show), with additional matinees at 2 p.m. Dec. 26, 28, Jan. 2 and 4. Tickets are $30-$60, half price for kids under 12. Call (501) 378-0405 or visit therep.org/attend.
The Weekend Theater, West Seventh and Chester streets, closes out its run this weekend of Scrooge! The Musical (book, music, and lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse, based on the 1970 film for which he provided the score.), including an added performance at 7:30 p.m. today as a make-up for weather-caused opening weekend cancellations, plus previously scheduled shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20, $16 for students and senior citizens 65 and older; reserve at weekendtheater.org. For information only, call (501) 374-3761.
Run for Your Wife by Ray Cooney, the farcical tale of a bigamous cab driver whose carefully constructed life schedule goes blooey one night, continues through Dec. 31 at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock. Dinner’s at 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday; curtain time: 7:45 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 12:45 and 6:45 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $31-$35, $23 for children 15 and under; show only, $25 and $15 for children; for the New Year’s Eve show, $60, including dinner, basic beverages (coffee, tea), show, dancing to-DJ after the play, party favors, champagne at midnight and early-morning breakfast buffet. Call (501) 562-3131 or visit murrysdinnerplayhouse.com.
Due to ice cancellations. the Royal Players are holding over their production of A Christmas Story, adapted by Philip Grecian from the story by Jean Shepherd, into a third weekend — 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market St., Benton. Tickets are $10, $8 senior citizens, $5 students. Call (501) 315-5483 or visit theroyalplayers.com.
Weekend, Pages 32 on 12/19/2013