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Cindy Lou Who returns for another round in MTC’s ‘Who’s Holiday’

Cindy Lou Who is a lot of trouble. The wee tot who was not more than 2 in Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is now an alcohol-swilling, foul-mouthed Whoville outcast in Matthew Lombardo’s comedy “Who’s Holiday.” If Brandy Johanntges, who plays Cindy Lou, gets into any trouble, there’s no one to bail her out. “Who’s Holiday” is a one-character show, so all the dialogue — written in Seussian rhythms of Theodore Geisel’s children’s books — and all the action come from Johanntges. She also starred in Millennial Theatre Company’s inaugural ...

Kids make for a spectacular show

The W.D. Packard Concert Band presents its Family Christmas Spectacular, a free concert open to the public, Sunday at Packard Music Hall. Two days before the public event, the band will play an abbreviated version of that concert for thousands of area schoolchildren. Thomas A. Groth, executive director of the band, programs the Christmas concert with those children’s shows in mind. That’s why there will be school-aged children on stage as well as in the audience. “I just want to give the young people in the audience the chance to see other young people performing and say, ...

ACTS presents new ‘Christmas Carol’ script

ACTS Performing Arts Center presents a recent adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” for a two-weekend run. Justin Haigh’s adaption, which has played to sold out crowds in Toronto since its debut in 2019, includes original scenes, characters, dialogue and songs in its retelling of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts who visit him one Christmas Eve. According to director Maria Petrella-Ackley, “I am excited to share this special version of the classic Christmas tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s journey through his past, present and future. You see a side to ...

Ballet Theatre Ashtabula stages ‘The Nutcracker’

Ballet Theatre Ashtabula will stage “The Nutcracker” for 13 performances starting Friday at Ashtabula Arts Center. The annual production is ever changing due to the make up of the cast being different each year. According to Clover Robinson, director of dance for Ballet Theatre Ashtabula, “Dancers move into different roles as their skills and artistry develop, and each one is going to bring something different to that role even in the pieces of choreography that don’t change. Because the number of students at a particular skill level is constantly fluctuating as people move ...

Ticket stubs

Touring Christmas show plays Stambaugh Christmas in the Air comes to Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, at 7 p.m. Friday. The family-friendly Broadway-style variety show includes holiday classics and modern-day favorites combined with synchronized Rockette-style dancers woven into a storyline told by two of Santa’s favorite elves. Tickets range from $31.50 to $70 and are available online at experienceyourarts.org and by calling 330-259-9651. Proceeds from the event will benefit the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Meet-the-artists Saturdays set ...

Warren Civic Chorus continues holiday tradition

A tradition that started in 1956 continues on Sunday with the Warren Civic Chorus performing George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” More than 100 performers will take part in the performance at 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish. A free will offering will be collected. Jeff Ward, president of the chorus, joined eight years ago after moving to the area from Ashtabula, where he sang Handel’s oratorio with choirs there. “I have always been fond of Handel's work and the story behind it, the fact that he pretty much put his life on hold to come up with the music and ...