Priority list includes latest from Three Dollar Bill and the return of Frog and Toad

“Advent Calen-Durr!!!”

A modified advent calendar houses the props for Three Dollar Bill Company’s skewed take on the holidays. Sketches include a look at Christmas Eve in a trigger-happy world and a visit from a creepy Elf on a Shelf. You might want to leave the children at home nestled snug in their beds.

Indy Fringe Building Dec. 11-19   More

"Drosselmeyer’s XXX-Mas Cabaret"

Also on the grown-up front, NoExit Performance’s Ryan Mullins revisits his “Nutcracker” character. He’s joined by Sandy Patties (Beverly Roche) and a parade of other local and fictional guests in this celebration of self-gratification.

White Rabbit Cabaret Dec. 21  More

“A Year with Frog and Toad"

On the other hand, if you are looking for something that both you and the younger kids in your life can enjoy, consider Actors Theatre of Indiana’s go-to holiday offering. It tells the gentle season-by-season story of the friendship between the two title amphibians in a charmingly tuneful, surprisingly touching way.

Studio Theatre Dec. 11-27  More

Also this week

Straight No Chaser plays the Murat Dec. 11-13.

WZPL’s Jingle Jam, Dec. 9 at Indiana Farmer’s Coliseum, features Walk the Moon, Rachel Platten, Pentatonix, Becky G, Max, and Tori Kelly. Meanwhile, WJJK’s Not So Silent Night, Dec. 10 at the Murat is headlined by Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.

Dave Koz & Friends brings holiday cheer to the Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 11.

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble offers its “Nutcracker” Dec. 11-13 at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center.

"Mary Poppins" flies into the Tarkington for the holidays (through Jan. 2) courtesy of Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre.

Krista Detor and Tim Grimm co-headline a concert as part of the Indy Folk Series Dec. 11.

Marianne Tobias plays holiday music Dec. 8, with guest Steven Stolen, in the concourse of Eskenazi Health.

Raymond Leppard conducts the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s “Classical Christmas” for the last time Dec. 12 at the Schrott Center. 

And, finally, on Dec. 10, I’ll be hosting a free reading of Keith Bunin’s play “The Credeaux Canvas” at Gallery 924. The Arts Council of Indianapolis’s Shannon Linker will lead a post-show contemporary art chat inspired by the play.