Northeast Ohio produces more events each week than it would
be possible to attend, even if you had a full-time maid,
chef, and/or babysitter. Hot Picks: This Week’s Smart
Stuff sorts through the lists of concerts, festivals, exhibits,
plays, readings and all sorts of other events and pulls
out a few that seem out-of-the-ordinary. There will be new
things each week, with the list updating each Monday.
Even though we like to think of ourselves as “in
the know,” there will always be things that escape
our notice. Please feel free to make suggestions to
(be aware, we make no promises and the final decision rests
with us). Enjoy!
Jane and Michael Stern
Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square
If there's one thing that all Clevelanders share - Eastsiders and Westsiders - is a love of food. Jane and Michael Stern write about food for Gourmet magazine (and not just any food, but the best stuff from local restaurants all around the country in their Road Food column). They also give a head's up on tasty treats weekly on public radio's Splendid Table with Lynne Rossetto Kasper. Come and hear what they have to say about the restaurants in our area.
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Aint Misbehavin'
Dec. 2-5 at 7:30 p.m.
E.J. Thomas Hall
Ruben Studdard, winner of the second season of American Idol, is on the road performing the hits of Fats Waller in the new production of Ain't Misbehavin'. This 30th anniversary version of the Tony Award-winning musical also stars Frenchie Davis - another popular Idol contestant from 2003. Expect a night of Waller hits and Harlem soul - sultry, sassy and satifsfying.
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Ronan Tynan
Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Playhouse Square
Irish tenor Ronan Tynan has a personality almost as big as his majestic voice. Called "America's Tenor," he is most famous for his renditions of God Bless America at Yankee Stadium during important New York Yankee games, such as Opening Day, nationally-televised games, the last game at the Stadium, and playoff games. He is also known for participating in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Paralympics. He's also sang at such important events as Ronald Regan's state funeral, George W. Bush's 80th birthday, and the 2008 presidential dinner.
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Sanders Family Christmas
Dec. 5-21
Actors' Summit Theatre
Actors Summit Theatre in Hudson is offering a holiday production that's new to the area, but one that with a comfortable old-time feel. The Sanders Family Christmas is set on Christmas Eve in 1941 at a Baptist church in North Carolina. The play is reminiscent of Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, in that it features 28 musical numbers, ranging from traditional carols, to old-time gospel and folk. It promises to be a heartwarming musical for the entire family.
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Cleveland Orchestra: Mitsuko Uchida
Dec. 4-6
Severance Hall
Mitsuko Uchida performs Mozart's piano concertos nos. 23 and 24 - some of the last works of their kind that Mozart wrote (he compsed them in March 1786, 5 years before his death at 35). Uchida's early career was defined by her interpretation of Mozart and she became recognized as a great soloist partially through her recordings of Mozart's complete catalog of sonotas and piano concertos, a project she began more than 20 years ago. Her spirit and enthusiasm for the work of the beloved wunderkind makes Uchida's performances of Mozart special events.
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Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Dec. 4-15
Playhouse Square
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has no problem living up to its name. The production is a dazzling array of high-kicking choreography, parading wooden soldiers, a high-flying Santa, and much, much more. The breathtaking Living Nativity piece alone is worth the price of admission. All that and the beautifully bedecked Rockettes make for quite a show.
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Glen Phillips
Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.
The Kent Stage
Lead singer for '80s and '90s rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket ("Walk on the Ocean"), Glen Phillips' career took a much different course after the group disbanded at the end of the decade. Instead of going deeper into the rock world, he developed his songwriting skills and veered closer to life as an acoustic singer/songwriter. He toured and recorded with Nickel Creek and developed his voice and style with good musicianship and clever lyrics. Songstress Jonatha Brooke opens.
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Black Nativity
Dec. 5-28
Karamu House, Cleveland
This musical by prolific writer and Karamu alum Langston Hughes has been delighting audiences for years. This annual foot stomping, hand clapping, shouting for joy classic hits the stage once again for the Christmas holidays. This colorful pageantry brings a new meaning to the birth of Christ and the spirit of Christmas every year. “Come All Ye Faithful” to witness this spiritual, gospel stirring classic.
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Holiday CircleFest
Dec. 7 from 1-7 p.m.
University Circle
Holiday CircleFest is celebrating 15 years in University Circle. This popular annual event kicks off the holiday season by bringing together more than 20 University Circle museums, gardens, galleries, churches, and schools for one free day of music, activities, and shopping. Keep warm on the complimentary shuttle buses as you explore the area, or bundle up for outdoor fun on Wade Oval.
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Kent Choral Society
Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
University Auditorium
Come hear the Christmas portion of Handel's glorious Messiah with the Kent Chorus and soloists Susan Fletcher, Katie Harrison, Mike Wiley and Corey Fowler under the direction of Kent State University's Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Scott MacPherson. The concert will also feature the glorious voices of the KSU Women's chorus singing music of JS Bach, Grotenhuis and others. Also--don't miss the audience sing-along at the end of the concert.
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