Lubbock entertainment in brief

CATS Playhouse presents 'Inspecting Carol'

CATS Playhouse, 2257 34th St., presents "Inspecting Carol", scheduled for Dec. 8, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. There will also be a special Sunday matinee on Dec. 10, at 2:30 p.m. with doors opening at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for Seniors (55 and older) and $10 for students (17 and younger). Tickets can be purchased through their ticket website at www.catsplayhouse.ludus.com

"Inspecting Carol", written by Daniel Sullivan tells the story of a small professional theatre company in a midsized city. This company has performed the same play, "A Christmas Carol", to the same community, with the same actors, for far too long. The company strives to maintain funding even as they receive financial cuts.

They learn that they will be inspected in order to receive a grant, which they need in order to remain open. They fall all over themselves trying to schmooze the man they believe to be the person responsible for issuing the grant. As more and more things go wrong, the company tries to deal with each other while getting through the show.

Ballet Lubbock presents 'The Nutcracker'

Journey to the Land of the Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker during Ballet Lubbock's annual performance of The Nutcracker.

Performances are set for 2 p.m. Dec. 3; 6:30 p.m., Dec. 3; 7 p.m. (sensory friendly) Dec. 5; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9; and 2 p.m. Dec. 9-10, at Buddy Holly Hall.

Individual tickets range from $15 to $120, depending on seating.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit buddyhollyhall.com

Watson Christmas adds show

Aaron Watson Family Christmas has added a second show for 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Cactus Theater.

“An Aaron Watson Family Christmas” is the perfect holiday event for the whole family. The event will be packed full of Christmas classics and songs from his critically-acclaimed Christmas album of the same name, plus some of Aaron’s most popular hits, performed by Aaron and the band, along with special appearances from the Watson family. The event will also feature special surprises sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.

All floor seats are $40 and standard balcony are $35. Balcony box seats are $70, which includes concessions.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cactustheater.com

Cactus Classic Cinema: 'Holiday Inn'

Cactus Classic Cinema presents "Holiday Inn" at 2:20 p.m. and again at 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 1812 Buddy Holly Ave.

"Holiday Inn" is a 1942 American musical film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, and Walter Abel. It was directed by Mark Sandrich with music by Irving Berlin. The composer wrote twelve songs specifically for the film, the best known being “White Christmas.” The film features a complete re-use of the song “Easter Parade”, written by Berlin for the 1933 Broadway revue As Thousands Cheer and used as a highlight of the 1948 film Easter Parade, starring Astaire and Judy Garland. The film's choreography was by Danny Dare.

The film received a 1943 Academy Award for Best Original Song (Berlin's “White Christmas”), as well as Academy Award nominations for Best Score (Robert Emmett Dolan) and Best Original Story (Irving Berlin).

Tickets are $7 for all ages and available online in advance at cactustheater.com

Michael Martin Murphey returns for Christmas show

Michael Martin Murphy's Cowboy Christmas returns to the Cactus Theater for two shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 and again at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8.

American music legend Michael Martin Murphey will hit the trail again for his annual Cowboy Christmas Tour and will make a stop in Lubbock at the historic Cactus theater for two shows, as has become a tradition.

The touring tradition was born in the early 1990s, when Murphey produced an album of cowboy Christmas songs (he has since produced two holiday-themed albums and one DVD (all available on his website) and has developed into the multi-media production it is today.

Reserved seat tickets for this show are $70 for the first four floor rows, A-D; $50 for rows E-K; 40 for rows L-M; $100 for balcony box seats, which include concessions; $45 for balcony front row; and $35 for remainder of balcony seats.For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cactustheater.com

Gaschen brings Christmas show to Cactus

Come have your heart lifted in the true spirit of the season and be delightfully entertained as Lubbock native and Broadway star, David Gaschen, performs songs you will know and some that have been specially created to fit his beautiful voice.

Gaschen presents "A Celebration of Christmas" at 2 p.m. and against at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Cactus Theater.

Tickets are $25 for all floor and standandard balcony seats; and $50 for balcony box seats, which include concessions.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cactustheater.com

Martin brings comedy tour to Cactus

William Lee Martin brings his Revenge of the Nutcracker comedy show to the Cactus Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.

Note: This is not the ballet. This is an adult comedy show with adult language.

Martin is bringing his Christmas standup comedy spectacular Revenge of the Nutcracker to the Cactus Theater for the first time. With fan favorites like "I’m Dreaming of a White Trash Christmas", brand new standup material - plus guest comedians and musicians - this is one holiday variety show you don’t want to miss.

With his signature cowboy hat, boots and Texas drawl, it would be easy to lump the blue-eyed, 6-foot-2-inch Martin into the category of “another guy doing a country act.” Drawing from real life experiences, Martin’s vibrant routine reflects life as a husband, father and friend. That authenticity is connecting with mainstream America, crossing cultural lines and social status boundaries. His humor is sharp, original and occasionally laced with sarcasm and innuendo, but without the overt adult language prevalent with so many in today’s comedy landscape.

Reserved seat tickets are $50 for floor rows A-B VIP; $30 for remainder of floor rows C-M and first two rows of the balcony; $25 for remainder of standard balcony, rows CC-FF; and $60 for balcony box seats, which incluces concessions.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cactustheater.com

Blue October coming to Holly Hall

Rather than lean on destiny for direction, Blue October invents and inhabits a future all their own.

The platinum-certified alternative quartet from Houston – Justin Furstenfeld (vocals, guitar, songwriter), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin, mandolin, piano), and Matt Noveskey (Bass) – consistently evolves with an outlier perspective.

The group is set to perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, in the Helen Devitt Jones Theater of Buddy Holly Hall.Since 1998’s The Answers, Blue October, has been touring the world with a boundless approach, generating north of 1 billion total streams and charting 16 hits.

In 2006, Foiled earned a platinum certification and yielded signature anthems “Hate Me” and “Into The Ocean,” kicking off a prolific streak. In addition to six consecutive Top 30 album debuts on the Billboard Top 200, they scored three straight #1 entries on the Top Alternative Albums Chart with Any Man In America [2011], Sway [2013], and Home [2016].

For their 11th studio album and first double-LP, Spinning the Truth Around: Part I & II, Blue October unlocks another creative renaissance.

Reserved seat tickets range from $29.50 to $79.95 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.For more information or to purchase tickets, visit buddyhollyhall.com

Croce plays Croce coming to Holly Hall

Multi-faceted singer/songwriter A.J. Croce is hitting the road again in celebration of two more of his father Jim Croce’s legendary albums, 1973’s "Life and Times" and his final release, "I Got A Name", in addition to songs from "You Don’t Mess Around With Jim."

Croce is set to take the stage in the Helen Devitt Jones Theater of Buddy Holly Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14.

The much-anticipated fall tour, Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour features a legendary band and a moving multi-media presentation accompanying Jim’s songs.

While Jim Croce’s indelible music catalog still resonates on classic radio, streaming platforms, and more recently on hit films and TV shows like Django Unchained and Stranger Things, A.J. Croce’s unique showmanship that has helped enliven Jim’s amazing legacy.

Reserved seat tickets range from $29.50 to $74.50 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit buddyhollyhall.com

Magical Crique Christmas at Holly Hall

The world’s greatest entertainers unite for a spellbinding and incredible holiday production – A Magical Cirque Christmas at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, in the Helen Devitt Jones Theater of Buddy Holly Hall.

Experience the enchantment of Christmas as Magical Hostess Lucy Darling takes you through an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family.

Reserved seat tickets range from $40 to $90 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit buddyhollyhall.com

Cactus Family Christmas set for Dec. 16

The Cactus Family Christmas returns this holiday season for one night only at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16.

From your favorite Christmas hymns - to your favorite contemporary Christmas music arrangements and tons of toe-tapping fun - you're promised a wonderful, memorable night of celebration.

Join your current and longtime favorites Kurt Kiser, Jeff McCreight, Kassidy King, Jason Fellers, Brandon Gwinn, Sheena Fadeyi, Blackwater Draw and a slew of young talented newcomers who will blow you away - plus the incredible Caldwell Collective Band, for a night of once-in-a-lifetime memories! We promise the new, young talent presented at this year’s celebration will warm your heart like hot apple cider. Just remember all the smiles and joy this show brings back year after year.

Reserved seat tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children 12 and younger; and $50 for reserved box seats.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cactustheater.com

LSO presents 'Messiah'

“Messiah” is back this season with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Helen Devitt Jones Theater of Buddy Holly Hall.

Celebrate Christmas with Handel’s beloved oratorio, “Messiah,” which continues to be one of their most popular programs.

This year's performance features the Lubbock Chamber Orchestra, led by Dr. Eric Allen. Also featuring the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir; Amy Owens, soprano; Quinn Patrick Ankrum, mezzo soprano; Eric Rieger, tenor; and Gerald Dolter, bass.

Tickets for this performance range from $25 to $93 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.For more information or to purchase tickets, visit buddyhollyhall.com

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock entertainment in brief