Winter Wonderettes (Dec. 1-20) The Marvelous Wonderettes (Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy) are entertaining at the 1968 holiday party for the employees of Harper’s Hardware, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland. As is annual tradition, Mr. Harper is scheduled to appear as Santa Claus and pass out the much anticipated bonus envelopes. But, when he doesn’t show up, Betty Jean passes out the envelopes ... only to discover that they’re actually pink slips. Harper’s Hardware is closing! With wonderful memories of Christmases past and a musical tribute to Christmas ’Round the World, rest assured that all ends happily and joyously at this merry time of year. Terrific New Theatre. 328-0868. terrificnewtheatre.com Proof (Dec. 4-20) Presented by Theatre Downtown. Catherine’s father was a great man and one of the greatest mathematicians that ever lived. After years of caring for him during his extreme mental illness, Catherine doesn't know what to do when he finally does pass. A young math teacher, Hal--a former student of Catherine’s father--comes to the house, looking through the 306 notebooks her father left behind, determined to find something and prove that her father’s mind didn’t shut down entirely during his mental illness. What he finds is a romance and a mystery that he never intended ... that no one believed was possible. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. Playhouse. $17; $12 seniors and students; Thursdays pay what you can afford, $5 minimum. 306-1470. theatredowntown.com The Little Dog Laughed (Dec. 4-20) A heartthrob actor is just about to get the role of a lifetime when a juicy rumor begins to circulate about his off-screen life. His distraught agent, concerned about her percentage, begins damage control, and the laughs continue with the aid of the “rent boy” who’s looking for love and the “girlfriend” who’s looking for a home. Birmingham Festival Theatre. $20; $15 students. 933-2383. bftonline.org By the Chimney with Care (Dec. 5-14) ACTA Theatre presents a play written and directed by Kerry Burrell. To encourage Santa and to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas, the elves sponsor a Christmas Eve Radiothon, broadcasting their favorite Christmas songs and stories. A young visitor from the South stops by to discover what Christmas is all about. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. ACTA Theatre, Trussville. $10; $8 seniors; $6 students. 655-3902. actatheater.com Christmas Belles (Dec. 5-21) It’s Christmas-time in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters are not exactly in a festive mood. A cranky Frankie is weeks overdue with her second set of twins. Twink, recently jilted and bitter about it, is in jail for inadvertently burning down half the town. And hot-flash-suffering Honey Raye is desperately trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos. South City Theatre. $15; $12 students and seniors. 621-2128. southcitytheatre.com Christmas on the Creek Drive Thru (Dec. 11-23, 6-9 p.m.) Thousands of lights and scenes transform the park into a wonderland like no other in the area. Listen to Christmas music, and on selected nights, area choirs sing as you drive by. Santa in his sleigh will be around as well. Orr Park, Montevallo. 665-1519. montevallocc.org Miracle on 34th Street (Dec. 15, 7 p.m.) Enjoy classic holiday movies in an unrivaled setting. Alabama Theatre. $7; $6 seniors and children younger than 12. 251-0418. alabamatheatre.com String Orchestra Concert (Dec. 15, 7 p.m.) The Music Opportunity Program is pleased to present the Birmingham String Orchestra and Birmingham Prelude Strings in a fun Christmas concert. Western Hills Mall. Free. 231-9504. musicop.org A Christmas Story (Dec. 16, 7 p.m.) Enjoy classic holiday movies in an unrivaled setting. Alabama Theatre. $7; $6 seniors and children younger than 12. 251-0418. alabamatheatre.com Monte Montgomery (Dec. 16, 8 p.m.) Monte Montgomery has taken the acoustic guitar beyond anyone's expectations. With his amazing fretwork, unique combination finger and pick style playing through trailblazing “chordal” thoroughfares, he often baffles even the most accomplished players. WorkPlay. $20. 380-4082. workplay.com Avenue Q (Dec. 16-21) A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Called “one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see” by Entertainment Weekly, Avenue Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risqué and downright entertaining way. Parental discretion suggested. BJCC. Broadwayacrossamerica.com A Touch of Piano (Dec. 17, noon-1 p.m.) Brown Bag Lunch Program at the Birmingham Public Library. Dr. Anthony Pattin, professor of Music at the University of Montevallo and director of music at Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, will present a diverse program of music performed on the piano. This program will feature the music of Bach, Liszt, Brahms, and Ravel as well as hymn tunes, popular standards and some holiday favorites. Central Library. 226-3600. bplonline.org It’s a Wonderful Life (Dec. 17-18, 7 p.m.) Enjoy classic holiday movies in an unrivaled setting. Alabama Theatre. $7; $6 seniors and children younger than 12. 251-0418. alabamatheatre.com The 1940s Radio Hour (Dec. 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20, 8 p.m.; Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at 3 p.m.) A different time is evoked in this marvelously theatrical show about a live broadcast of The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room on Dec. 21, 1942. The spirit of that bygone era, when the world was at war and pop music meant “Strike Up the Band” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” (both in this show), is accurately captured as the harassed producer copes with a drunken lead singer, the delivery boy who wants a chance at the microphone, the second banana who dreams of singing a ballad and the trumpet-playing sound effects man who chooses a fighter plane over Glenn Miller. Virginia Samford Theatre. $24. 251-1206. virginiasamfordtheatre.org Hanukkah Craft Making (Dec. 18, 3-5 p.m.) Help decorate your house for Hanukkah! RSVP by Dec.12 so that there are plenty of crafts to be made. Levite Jewish Community Center. $5. 879-0411 ext. 240. bhamjcc.org 18th Century French and German Music (Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m.) The choir of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will join with members of the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra to present Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit,” Buxtehude’s cantata “Das neugebohrne Kindelein” and seasonal carols. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. 251-7898. Wild Sweet Orange (Dec. 18, 8 p.m.) Wild Sweet Orange’s full-length debut, We Have Cause to Be Uneasy, is a work of exquisite power, its songs propelled by edgy emotion and a cathartic yearning for connection. Tracks such as “Ten Dead Dogs” and “Sour Milk” find the Birmingham-based rock outfit honing an intimate and individualistic sound that veers unrestrained from aching intimacy to a turbulent, seething intensity. After party will feature Nastique and DJ Charles III (of KGTD). Bottletree. $10. 533-6288. thebottletree.com Finis Henderson (Dec. 18 and 21, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19-20, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.) What is in a name that makes you unique? What is in a voice that makes an audience beg for more? What is in a performance that tops the most seasoned entertainer? Simply, the Finis. Finis Henderson that is! A show filled with hilarious antics, romantic ballads, high energy and versatility at its best. Comedy Club Stardome. $16 Thurs. and Sun.; $20 Fri.-Sat. 444-0008. stardome.com Mid-Day Musical Menu (Dec. 19, 12:30-1 p.m.) Southern Harmony (Kyle Bass, Tom Head, Daniel Potts and Thomas Waters, alumni of the Birmingham-Southern College Concert Choir), performs a 30-minute recital of music for the Christmas season. Cathedral Church of the Advent. 226-3505. adventbirmingham.org Corazon Flamenco and The Belly Dance Jewels (Dec. 19, 6:30-9 p.m.) End of the year performance and party. The Barking Kudu. $15. 933-8922. danceir.com Nutty Nutcracker (Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.) Alabama Ballet’s hilarious Nutty Nutcracker is back by popular demand! The zany and hilarious spoof of the classic tale of The Nutcracker is back for one performance only. The Nutty family is always a surprise, so make plans to come and see what new tricks and laughs Alabama Ballet has in store. Samford. $30-$55. 975-2787. alabamaballet.org National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Dec. 19, 7 p.m.) Enjoy classic holiday movies in an unrivaled setting. Alabama Theatre. $7; $6 seniors and children younger than 12. 251-0418. alabamatheatre.com Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 19, 8 p.m.) Enjoy the world's most celebrated oratorio complete with the magnificent Hallelujah Chorus, the exultant Every Valley and powerful Amen. Internationally renowned conductor Raymond Leppard leads the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Concert Chorale and a stellar cast of vocalists in this not-to-be-missed holiday tradition. Alys Stephens Center. $20-$65. 251-7727. alabamasymphony.org Wild Sweet Orange (Dec. 19, 9 p.m.) Wild Sweet Orange’s full-length debut, We Have Cause to Be Uneasy, is a work of exquisite power, its songs propelled by edgy emotion and a cathartic yearning for connection. Tracks such as “Ten Dead Dogs” and “Sour Milk” find the Birmingham-based rock outfit honing an intimate and individualistic sound that veers unrestrained from aching intimacy to a turbulent, seething intensity. With Kate Taylor. All ages. WorkPlay. $12 advance; $14 day of show. 380-4082. workplay.com Zoroaster (Dec. 19, 10 p.m.) These Atlanta doom dominators just recently released their first full length cd, Dog Magic. The Nick. $7. 252-3831. thenickrocks.com Friday Fireworks at the Summit (Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 7 p.m.) A festive fireworks show on Friday nights to celebrate the holiday season. Gather next to Sephora for a great view and accompanying music. The Summit. Free. 967-0111. thesummitonline.com Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 20, 8:30-10:30 a.m.) Enjoy Saturday morning breakfast with Santa--a fun meal for the whole family featuring holiday crafts, photos with Santa and more. Benefits The Bell Center. Village Tavern. $15; children 2 and younger free. 967-0111. thesummitonline.com Roadside Attraction (Dec. 20, 10 a.m.) Since the mid-’80s, Roadside Attraction has drizzled its blues-rock sound, flavor and style throughout the southeastern United States. Along the way, the band with the “never say die” attitude has stamped its handprint on juke joints and college campuses from New Orleans to Princeton, N.J. Roadside has always planted one foot firmly in Southern rock, with the other foot kicking up a little R&B and country to keep things interesting. WorkPlay. $15. 380-4082. workplay.com Bart’s Books (Dec. 20, 10-11 a.m.) Peach and Blue. Bart likes to hear fun stories about art, so he's decided to start a new book program. Bart selected some of his favorite books and works of art to share with other children. He thinks children ages 4-7 will enjoy them most. Birmingham Museum of Art. 254-2565. artsbma.org Meyer Planetarium Show (Dec. 20, 2 p.m.) “Star of Wonder.” $2, $1 children. Birmingham-Southern. 226-4771. bsc.edu Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Dec. 20, 3 and 8 p.m.) One of the biggest arena attractions in rock music, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will once again take to the road this holiday season for what will be another monumental tour. The band’s four CD releases, including the holiday-themed Christmas Eve and Other Stories, The Christmas Attic and The Lost Christmas Eve have sold more than 5,000,000 units. Complement this massive sonic recipe with staging that is always one step beyond state-of-the-art, a sensory onslaught of lighting and pyrotechnics. BJCC. $34-$44. 715-6000. ticketmaster.com Third Annual Year-End Bash with Hightide Blues (Dec. 20, 10 p.m.) Hightide Blues took the stage for the first time in 2006 and has been gracing hundreds of stages for thousands of fans ever since. Their sound is a throwback to southern rock with a modern twist and an original delivery that's in a category of its own. Zydeco. $6 advance; $8 day of show. 933-1032. White Christmas (Dec. 20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 p.m.) Enjoy classic holiday movies in an unrivaled setting. Alabama Theatre. $7; $6 seniors and children younger than 12. 251-0418. alabamatheatre.com The Nutcracker (Dec. 20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m.) Grebel Dance and the Alabama Youth Ballet Company. A gumdrop size performance sure to delight everyone featuring guest artists Jon Caspian, David Anderson and a special guest star Mother Ginger. Pelham High School. $10; $5 children 11 and younger. 987-7234. grebeldance.com George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 12-14, 20-21) With its seventh annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Alabama Ballet remains one of only six companies in the world currently licensed to present this holiday classic, performed to Balanchine’s brilliant specifications: dazzling choreography, opulent costumes and extravagant sets. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score played to perfection by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and a cast of local children make this performance truly magical. Sugar Plum Parties, a magical afternoon of activities, photos, and refreshments with the cast for children holding tickets, will be held one hour prior to the matinees. Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 13 and 20, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 14 and 21, 2:30 p.m. Samford Wright Center. $30-$55. 975-2787. alabamaballet.org
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