TUE 11/11
In his career so far, Harry Connick Jr. has been a child piano prodigy, a smooth, Sinatra-esque balladeer and an actor (most recently as Dr. Leo Markus, Grace's husband on TV's Will and Grace). Now we can add Festive Yuletide Mistletoe Man to that résumé. Connick's new Christmas CD, Harry for the Holidays, and his tour by the same name feature big-band versions of traditional tunes such as "Frosty the Snowman," "Silver Bells" and "Blue Christmas," not to mention originals "The Happy Elf," "Nothing New for New Year" (a duet with George Jones) and "I Come with Love." The last one is inspired by -- no shit -- the moment in Damien: Omen II when our boy Beelzebub realizes just who he is. Of course, it's a little bit early to be singing about silent nights and winter wonderlands (Houston is only the second stop on the tour), but Connick will surely throw in some of his swooning standards and N'awlins-flavored jazz numbers. 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 11. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. For information, call 713-629-3700. $31.25-$76.25. -- Bob Ruggiero
Sam Jones
Harry Connick Jr.
Courtesy of ComedySportz
R.P. "Boo" Gay, Dianah Dulany (founder) and Carlo
Minotti
Leticia London
Ian Casady and Tyana Clement
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Dead Show
Why read when you can watch?
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Even though (or perhaps because) James Joyce wrote a couple of impossibly labyrinthine novels in his later years, he is considered one of the great masters of the English language. His early works are more straightforward, though still brilliant, and their subtle turns of phrase offer readers a wide-eyed glimpse at his greatness. If you don't feel like tackling Joyce yourself, you can sit back and watch one of his early masterpieces unfold in the musical version of The Dead, a story about a dinner party hosted by three music teachers that delves into themes such as love, life, death, Ireland and the whole of existence. There won't be a test at the end. Show opens Thursday, November 6. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through December 6. Main Street Theater, 2540 Times Boulevard. For tickets and information, call 713-524-6706 or visit www.mainstreettheater.com. $15 to $30. -- Keith Plocek
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FRI 11/7
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THU 11/6
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