A&E priority list includes a frog, a toad, an elf, more

Holiday happenings are happening all over. Here are a trio of potential highlights, along with some any-time-of-year choices.

“A Year with Frog and Toad”

Don’t look here for pandering to adults or condescending to kids. Low-key holiday magic comes via the friendship of two amphibians as Actors Theatre of Indiana remounts this gentle, tuneful musical based on the anecdotal children’s books. Bring extra cash for intermission cookies. Note: A special, sensory-friendly performance—with the lights up and the sound down—will be offered Dec. 19 in association with the Autism Society of Indiana.

Dec. 12-21 Studio Theatre Details here.

“Elf: The Musical”

Lest you be accused of being a cotton-headed ninnymuggins, “Elf” should be on your holiday to-watch list alongside “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Recently, the best holiday movie in a generation (Go on: Try to think of one better in recent decades.) got the musical treatment. The result—in a non-Equity tour—is the latest in this year’s Broadway in Indianapolis series. Santa, by the way, will be played by Indianapolis native Mark Fishback.

Dec. 16-21 Murat Theatre Details here.

“White Christmas”

The Center for the Performing Arts continues its Great American Songbook Film Series with this 1954 holiday classic featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and a host of great Cole Porter songs. Included in the mix: “Sisters,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” and a “Heat Wave/Let Me Sing When I’m Happy/Blue Skies” medley.

Dec. 12 Palladium Details here.

Also this week

Encore Vocal Arts hosts a Messiah Sing Along Dec. 13 at Indiana Landmarks Center. If you’d rather just listen, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Encore Vocal Arts and the Tabernacle Sanctuary Choir perform their version of “Messiah”at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church Dec. 14.

Michael McDonald plays the Honeywell Center in Wabash Dec. 12. Kenny Rogers follows Dec. 13.

Relient K celebrates the release of its holiday album Dec. 11 at Deluxe at Old National Centre.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for two shows Dec. 14.

Songwriters Gabe Dixon and Matthew Santos perform in concert Dec. 12 at the new Carmel venue The Warehouse.

The Good Bad Luckys—singer/songwriters Tim Grimm, Krista Detor and Joe Crookston—team up once again for a Sunday evening concert via the Indy Folk Series,  Dec. 14 at Unitarian Universalist Church.