John Glenn Memorial Exhibit
To honor the three-quarters-of-a-century career of late Ohio astronaut and politician John Glenn, the Great Lakes Science Center has revealed a temporary exhibition in the wake of his death. Placed in the Wintergarden atrium of the Center are various memorabilia reminiscent of Glenn’s storied life: murals commemorating NASA-backed missions to outer space, scale shuttle models and flight suit replicas. An interactive timeline highlights the Cambridge, Ohio, native’s impact — from his Mercury Seven days to his flight on the Discovery shuttle — on aeronautic and American. Godspeed, John Glenn. Free. Through Dec. 18. Museum open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays from 12pm-5pm. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave. greatscience.com
Santaland Diaries
Adapted from the 1992 David Sedaris essay of the same name, Beth Wood directs Cleveland Public Theatre’s Christmastime comedy. Starring Eric Schmiedl as the unenthusiastic actor who takes a holiday gig as a Macy’s Christmas elf called Crumpet, the performance is stuffed with Sedaris’ sardonic wit and eye-for-detail. This night of comedic monologue is likely to make you rethink taking the kids to the mall to snap a photo with jolly Santa Claus and his elves. Thanks us later. $30. Through Dec. 18, Outcalt Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave. playhousesquare.org
The Nutcracker
Catch Verb Ballets’ presentation of the Pyotr Tchaikovsky staple two-act tale of a the Stahlbaum family after their daughter Clara enters a world of gumdrops, sparkling fairies and dancing mice in the wondrous Land of the Sweets. Pairing with Ohio Dance Theatre, the collaboration’s dazzling pliés, jaw-dropping choreography and eye-popping set designs will have you dreaming of sugar plum fairies while you check this off your Christmas check-list. All that’ll be left is putting out some nutcracker dolls of your own. $33-$40. Dec. 16 and 17 at 7:30pm, Dec. 18 at 2pm, Hoke Theatre, Stocker Arts Center of Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road. verballets.org
Stan Hywet Deck the Hall
Upwards of 850,000 Christmas lights don the historic Akron-area mansion — inside and out — along with many other festive decor. A must stop on your Northeast Ohio See-All-The-Lights tour, Stan Hywet’s hall-decking ceremony, besides being one of the largest events of its kind in Ohio, is a snapshot of a timeless tradition — from the fresh-baked gingerbread cookies in the Courtyard, to the buttoned-up carolers singing “Up On The Housetop” in the Music Room. But this isn’t all old-timey. A choreographed light show is sure to impress folks of all ages. $22. Through Dec. 30. Stan Hywet Hall, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. stanhywet.org
How the Kishka Saved Christmas
Cleveland’s favorite polka spinner DJ Kishka is donning his fedora and suspenders for one last monthly Polka Happy Hour at the Happy Dog Tavern. Kishka, the alias for 39-year-old polkaholic Justin Gorski, plans to go out in style with his annual “How the Kishka Saved Christmas” event, where he plays holiday-themed polkas and dresses the Happy Dog up in kitschy festive decor. While Gorski will devote more time to the annual Dyngus Day Cleveland next spring, this is your last chance to eat up some polka before 2017. Free. Friday, Dec. 16, 6pm. 5801 Detroit Ave. happydogcleveland.com
The Weekender: 5 Things to Do Dec. 16-18
Get in the festive spirit this weekend with a David Sedaris-penned play, a local polka star and an exhibit paying homage to an Ohio-born American hero.
entertainment
11:00 AM EST
December 16, 2016