WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

This week's theatre

Almost Maine - All is not what it seems in this magical new off broadway comedy - Almost Maine, is onstage at the Florida Repertory Theatre until Dec. 23. When the Northern Lights hang over the mythical town of Almost, Maine, its residents find themselves falling in and out of love - in the most unexpected, unusual and hilarious ways. This play inventively explores the mysteries of the human heart and touches audiences with laughter, heartbreak and hope. Tickets are $34 -$38, and $17 for selected seats. For information call 332-4488.

Holly Jolly Christmas - Holly Jolly Christmas runs through Dec. 25 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. This song and dance extravaganza is fantastic entertainment for all ages. It embraces the season with Broadway-style dancing, stunning costumes and the traditional holiday favorites you know and love. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

>>Classical Mystery Tour playing at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Dec. 20-22. Grandmother - "Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother!" runs at the Off Broadway Palm Theater through Dec. 22. A humorous, yet heartwarming musical comedy that celebrates modern-day grandmothers in a whole new light. Throw away the granny glasses, shapeless black dresses and Red Cross shoes, and replace them with tennis dresses, skis and a condo in Florida. Tickets are on sale and can be reserved by calling 278-4422, by visiting www. BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Holiday Follies - The Shoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island presents "The Holiday Follies", a musical holiday revue begining Tuesday, Dec. 18. 'Tis the season to join the cast in singing your favorite holiday songs. Performances will be every evening through Dec. 31 at 8 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m., and no shows on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Still looking for plans on New Year's Eve? Celebrate with The Schoolhouse Theater - catch the show early at 7 p.m. and still have time to ring in the new year. The cast consists of Island favorites Victor Legarreta, Mindy Montavon, and Tammy Truitt - and introducing Kate Phillips and Kay Donovan. For a chance to catch the cast outside of the theater, join them at Sanibel Art Night (Dec. 19), as they sing some of their favorite songs from the show. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 472-6862 or check out www.theschoolhousetheater. com

>>Paul Rodino at BIG ARTS.

The Nutcracker - Broadway Palm Children's Theatre presents The Nutcracker playing Dec. 21* and 23, 2007. The holiday classic is about a young girl who is given a beautiful nutcracker. She dreams that it comes to life and battles against the Mouse King and his army. The nutcracker defeats the mouse king and is transformed into a prince. All performances begin with a buffet at noon and show time at 1 p.m. (except where indicated*, lunch is at 10:30 a.m. and the show is at 11:30 a.m.) The chef's special buffet includes children's favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken and more. Ticket prices for lunch and the show are only $15 for all ages. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm. com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard.

The Last Five Years - Synergy Productions, Southwest Florida's professional musical theater company, in association with the Theater Guild of Southwest Florida, presents the award-winning musical, "The Last Five Years," at the Fould's Theater on the campus of The Alliance for the Arts. The play runs through Jan. 27. A fresh and contemporary musical, "The Last Five Years" chronicles a young couple's romance in a new and exciting way. Critics have praised the music as creative and groundbreaking. The lyrics evoke Stephen Sondheim. The musical style draws from pop, jazz, folk, Rock and classical. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets call (239) 236-1645 or visit the Foulds Theater Box Office. www.synergyproductions.org

>>Jerry Churchill Paper Mache, Larger than Life at the Alliance for the Arts. This week's symphony

>>Salute to Vienna! at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Classical Mystery Tour - A Pops Special: Classical Mystery Tour plays at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Thursday, Dec. 20; Friday, Dec. 21; and Saturday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. The concert features the original cast-members of Broadway's Beatlemania and is accompanied by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. Four Beatlemania cast-members are joined by the full orchestra to perform some 30 Beatles tunes - sung and played exactly as written. From the acoustic beauty of Yesterday to the classical/hard rock blend of I Am the Walrus, Classical Mystery Tour presents the best of The Beatles as you've never heard them before: totally live.

A Very Merry Pops - The Southwest Florida Symphony, featuring the the Symphony Chorus, Children's Chorus and guest Tommy O perform A Very Merry Pops at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Saturday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Conducted by Joseph Caulkins, the concert is a heartwarming holiday family favorite. It's a time to enjoy great music, celebrate the season and help support the community. Toys and food will be collected. Please consider bringing non perishable food or unwrapped toys to the concert. For tickets go online at www.swflso.org or call the box office at 418-1500.

Thursday, Dec. 20

Brass Blast - Doc Severinsen and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra perform El Ritmo de la Vida (The Rhythm of Life) at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Hayes Hall. Last year, legendary trumpeter Doc Severinsen announced his retirement from touring after a long and storied career. But Doc has agreed to return to Naples for this exciting new Brass Blast! program, exclusively at the Phil. El Ritmo de la Vida, will feature the former Tonight Show bandleader, joined by three Mexican virtuoso musicians, presenting music from Spain, traditional Mexican music and gypsy jazz - along with some light classical favorites. The program will showcase special arrangements created specifically for this concert. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www.thephil.org.

A Christmas Carol - A Christmas Carol is onstage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. With all the warmth and comfort of a cup of Christmas cheer, A Christmas Carol is packed with laughter, pageantry and gorgeous costumes. Every memorable detail of Dickens' A Christmas Carol springs to life, spine-chilling ghosts, heartfelt renditions of traditional British carols; and all the fascinating characters that audiences have come to love. Ticket prices are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Friday, Dec. 21

Alexandrea Tocco - The HEAR Foundation presents a special holiday performance by Alexandrea Tocco at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center at 8:30 p.m. Alexandrea is returning home to Florida from the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Mich. where she is spending her senior year studying music and theater. Her accomplishments include playing "Juliet" in the Gulfshore playhouse production of "Romeo and Juliet Redefined", performing with Nat Chandler and Janelle McCoy at the Barbara B. Mann production of "Andrew Lloyd Webber Unmasked", and performing as an invited soloist with the Spirit of Gulf Sweet Adeline's Choir and Music Makers Show Band. Tickets can be purchased for a minimum donation of $50 per person. A minimum donation of $100 or more per person will include tickets to her performance as well as admission to a VIP reception following the event. All donations will be applied to the Alexandrea Tocco Scholarship Fund. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 337-1933 or visit www.sbdac.com on line.

Wednesday, Dec. 26

Moscow Ballet - The Moscow Ballet will perform the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Wednesday and Thursday Dec. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. The Moscow Ballet is performing in 80 cities during its 15th annual holiday tour of the United States. Artistic Director Anatoli Emelianov, a ten-year veteran of the Moscow Ballet and its chief choreographer, will star as the Enchanted Nutcracker Prince. Moscow Ballet's all Russian casts have won rave reviews for exquisite dancing and finely honed classical technique. Ticket are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Ongoing events

Art- The Group of Four exhibit, featuring Paul Rodino, Richard Rosen, Anica Sturdivant, and Kathleen Walsh, is at BIG ARTS Founders Gallery through Dec. 31. Paul Rodino's photography offers a glimpse into life's unappreciated, sometimes unseen everyday beauty. Richard Rosen's stimulating sculpture and painting combinations exemplify the intuitive evolution from natural to abstract. Anica Sturdivant's Bubble Wrap series explores self-control, while her Earth Pod series is an integration of the sacred and earthly; both require the viewer to delve beneath superficial judgment. Kathleen Walsh's experience as a psychiatric nurse lends itself to her spontaneous, opento interpretation mixed-media pieces. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information about this exhibit and other upcoming events and workshops at BIG ARTS, to purchase tickets, or to sign up for workshops, stop by BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road Sanibel, call (239) 395-0900, e-mail info@bigarts.org, or log on to www.BIGARTS.org.

Art- Harborside Event Center and ArtFest Fort Myers' current exhibit is the "Fabric of Life", a display of 30 spectacular contemporary art quilts created by the members of Art Quilters Unlimited. This juried show runs through Jan. 4 and represents a broad array of fiber wall art from a group of artists who compete nationally in their medium and bring the excitement of color and design to this fine craft. Everyone is welcome to explore the artistic and cultural vibrancy of fiber art and give the gift of art to someone on your holiday list. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information email info@ ArtFestFortMyers.com or call 768-3602.

Art - The Art League of Fort Myers' current exhibit is "Small Packages" at the Gallery, 1451 Monroe Street in the heart of the River District. "Small Packages" contains only original art at affordable prices created by local artists. For information call 275-3970 of online at www.artleagueoffortmyers. org

Art- The Cape Coral Arts Studio exhibit: the work of the late Jean Inman in a "Memorial Tribute" runs through Dec. 28. For information call 574-0802. The Cape Coral Arts Studio is located at 4533 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral.

Art - the Naples Art Association's "46th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition" is on display at The von Liebig Art Center. The exhibition, that runs through Jan. 13, honors the artists who in 1954 joined together to form the NAA, including Grace Lake, Elsie Dorey Upham and George Rogers. The NAA received 455 entries from 244 member artists. Internationally-acclaimed American abstract painter Sam Gilliam, a pre-eminent artist based in Washington, DC, served as juror. He selected 179 works by 149 artists for the exhibition as well as the 23 award winners. The top three award winners will participate in a three-person exhibition at The von Liebig Art Center next year. The von Liebig Art Center is located at 585 Park Street in downtown Naples and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. with free admission daily.

Art - Communication: The imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing, or signs. "Transmissions: A Juried Competition" is the next exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts. Categories are sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, mixed media), photography, prints and drawings. The exhibit runs through Jan. 9. For information call the Alliance at 939-2787 or online at www.artinlee.org. The Alliance is located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard. Visit www. artinlee.org for more details.

Upcoming events

Chamber Music - The Chamber Music Society of Southwest Florida launches its inaugural season at the Foulds Theatre in the Alliance for the Arts on Jan. 28. Led by mezzo-soprano and Artistic Director Janelle McCoy, the chamber music society will present four concerts that will include international chamber groups, Grammy-winning composers and several regional premieres. The concerts, themed "Journeys," are designed to promote and make accessible chamber music of the last 100 years through lectures, composer appearances and performances in intimate spaces. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.chambersociety.

Guys and Dolls - The musical fable of Nathan Detroit, Guys and Dolls opens Dec. 29 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. The consummate gambling man, Edtroit operates "The World's Largest Floating Crap Game". Songs include Luck Be a Lady, I've Never Been in Love Before, Sue Me and A Bushel and a Peck. This song and dance extravaganza is fantastic entertainment for all ages. It embraces the season with Broadway-style dancing, stunning costumes and the traditional holiday favorites you know and love. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Upcoming events

Foreigner - The rock group Foreigner will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Friday Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. The hard rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, along with then-unknown vocalist Lou Gramm. Foreigner has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. Their hits include Hot Blooded, Cold as Ice and Urgent. Ticket are on sale at the box office, by calling 481- 4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Willie Nelson - Country legend Willie Nelson returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Wednesday, Jan. 16. The iconic Texan is the creative genius behind historic recordings like "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust." His career has spanned six decades, his catalog boasts more than 200 albums and he's earned every conceivable award and honor to be bestowed a person in his profession. He has also amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and activist. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Art - Ellen Sheppard, who received the 2004 Angel of the Arts "New Artist of the Year" award from the Alliance for the Arts, will have an exhibition of her paintings Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13, at the Florida Fine Art Gallery in Gannon's Antiques & Art Center, 16521 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers. There will be a "Meet the Artist" reception Saturday, Jan. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sheppard, a Lee County resident, has been painting "seriously" for eight years. Her medium is acrylic and her main subject matter is landscapes. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For information or directions call 489 - 2211.

Art - Art League of Fort Myers will sponsor "Highlights of the Brooklyn Museum", a PowerPoint slideshow presented by Mr. Peter Downes on Thursday, Jan. 3. Downes will discuss and illustrate the second largest art collection in the U.S. He will outline the process that an artist needs to follow to have art exhibited in or donated to the Brooklyn Museum. The program will be held at noon at the ALFM Gallery, 1451 Monroe Street, in the River District. For information call 275-3970 of online at www. artleagueoffortmyers.org Cats - Andrew lloyd Webber's timeless

Cats is onstage at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Wednesday, Dec. 26 through Saturday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. There's no better way to introduce your family to the wonders of live theater than with the magic, the mystery, the memory of Cats. What began as a musical about cats after Webber picked up a book of poems in an airport bookshop has become one of the longest-running shows in Broadway's history. Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Cats features 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless melodies, including the hit song Memory. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www. thephil.org.

Lewis Black - Comedian Lewis Black will perform at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Saturday Dec. 29. If you missed him last year; make your plans now for a chance to catch one of the funniest people in America. Appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" proved fertile ground for Black, and as a contributor to "The Daily Show," his two-minute political and pop culture rants made him a national hero. Fittingly, his one man HBO specials have become popular favortites and have elevated his stature as one of the most relevant as well as hilarious comedians today. Ticket are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Salute to Vienna - The once a year excitement of New Year's comes to life on stage in this unique re-creation of Vienna's World Famous New Year's Concert - Salute to Vienna! at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Monday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Salute to Vienna's musical magic features a cast of over 70 musicians, International singers and dancers adorned in beautiful traditional costumes. The new program will feature waltzes (such as the Blue Danube Waltz), polkas and Operetta excerpts from Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow sung by our outstanding European sopranos and tenors. The musical classics of Johann Strauss Jr. and other famous Viennese composers will be interpreted by an array of engaging Maestros all with that charming'Viennese flare.' The entire performance will have you clapping and dancing in your seats. Ticket are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.