Shows to see in November: ‘Carrie,’ ‘Elf In Concert,’ Mike Birbiglia and several more

Will Ferrell and Ed Asner in a scene from the motion picture "Elf." The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will present "Elf In Concert" Nov. 22-23 at the Schuster Center.

Will Ferrell and Ed Asner in a scene from the motion picture "Elf." The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will present "Elf In Concert" Nov. 22-23 at the Schuster Center.

Musical theatre and stand-up comedy are particularly vying for your attention across area stages in November. Here’s a look at notable productions and performances heading your way.

Broadway By Request

Nov. 2, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Broadway tunes from such shows as “A Chorus Line,” “Chicago,” “Jersey Boys,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “Wicked” among others will be heard based on audience vote in this DPO SuperPops concert. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. $12.50-$101.50. 937-228-3630 or daytonperformingarts.org.

Dayton-area native Beth Stelling, a comedian, writer and actress based in Los Angeles, will return to the Victoria Theatre on Nov. 2. Her Netflix special “If You Didn’t Want Me Then” was notably filmed at the Victoria Theatre. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Beth Stelling

Nov. 2, Dayton Live

Beth Stelling, who grew up in Oakwood, is a comedian, writer and actress based in Los Angeles. Her 2023 Netflix special “If You Didn’t Want Me Then” was notably filmed at the Victoria Theatre. She has also written for such TV series as “Rick and Morty,” “Strange Planet,” “The Last O.G.,” “I Love You America with Sarah Silverman,” “Another Period,” and “Crashing” on HBO. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. $35-$99. 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org.

Left to right: Allie Haines (Emma Borden), Sam Evans (Lizzie Borden), Leah Fox (Bridget Sullivan), and Kyrsten Jankovich (Alice Russell) in TheatreLab Dayton's production of "Lizzie: The Musical." PHOTO BY HARRISON NORTON

Credit: HARRISON NORTON

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Credit: HARRISON NORTON

“Lizzie: The Musical”

Through Nov. 4, TheatreLab Dayton

TheatreLab Dayton delivers a wonderfully raw, vocally impressive and spooky season-appropriate production of Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Alan Stevens Hewitt and Tim Maner’s “Lizzie,” a visceral rock musical about the infamous double murders that took place at the Borden residence in 1892 Massachusetts. Intimately and energetically presented on the second floor of Mudlick Tap House, the production features a terrifically committed quartet consisting of Sam Evans (Lizzie Borden), Allie Haines (Emma Borden, Lizzie’s sister), Leah Fox (Irish maid Bridget Sullivan), and Kyrsten Jankovich (neighbor Alice Russell). The calculating, expressive Evans, a full-throated standout in Wright State University’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “An Evening of Sondheim,” leads this disturbing tale with troubled urgency from the outset (her knockout rendition of “This Is Not Love” perfectly sets the tone as Lizzie reflects on being abused by her father). Evans, effortlessly elevating this show to “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” levels of full-throttle rock prowess, also establishes a lovely rapport with Jankovich, whose tenderness and yearning is a heartening balm within the darker layers of the story. Haines joins Evans for a delightful take on the satirical hymn “Watchmen for the Morning” and has a fretful blast humorously asking “What the F#%k Now, Lizzie.” Fox, interpreting her role with a wink and a smile, savors the unnerving glee fueling “The House of Borden.” In addition, director Makensie King maintains a brisk pace grounded in immediacy, allowing the audience to feel as if they’re a part of the action as the cast routinely storms the aisles. This experience is also bolstered by musical director Lorri Topping’s top-notch orchestra featuring outstanding percussionist Jeremy King. Performances continue at 2 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second St., Dayton. $21.93-$42.52. theatrelabdayton.org. The show is recommended for ages 13 and older.

Rob Schneider: “Rescue Husband”

Nov. 8, Dayton Live

Emmy-nominated writer/actor/comedian Rob Schneider is a former member of “Saturday Night Live” who has appeared in such films and TV shows as “Men Behaving Badly,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” and “The Benchwarmers.” He also recently appeared in Netflix’s “The Wrong Missy” and the recently released “Hubie Halloween.” 7 p.m. Friday at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. $42-$77. 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org.

Sebastian Maniscalco will perform Nov. 10 at the Nutter Center. CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Sebastian Maniscalco: “It Ain’t Right Tour”

Nov. 10, Wright State University’s Nutter Center

Comedian, actor and podcast host Sebastian Maniscalco’s “It Ain’t Right” tour will roast “nonexistent manners, wallet-wincing prices and the social media circus.” Maniscalco has been hailed by The New York Times as the “hottest comic in America.” He has been performing for over two decades and has starred in six comedy specials for networks such as Netflix, Showtime and Comedy Central. 7 p.m. Sunday at the Nutter Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton.nuttercenter.com.

“Almost, Maine”

Nov. 15-24, Dayton Playhouse

John Cariani’s popular, whimsical 2004 play is told in nine interconnected vignettes which portray a different aspect of love. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton. $18-$20. 937-424-8477 or daytonplayhouse.com.

“The Apple Tree”

Nov. 15-24, Wright State University

Wright State offers a rare opportunity to catch this 1966 musical by composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick, the legendary songwriting team behind “Fiddler on the Roof” and “She Loves Me.” This tuneful and charming tale is comprised of three musical miniatures: “The Diary of Adam and Eve”, “The Lady or the Tiger?” and “Passionella.” Leslie Goddard-Baum, who notably appeared on Broadway in “Hairspray,” guest directs and choreographs with musical direction by WSU resident music director Wade Russo. $5-$15. 937-775-2500 or wrightliberalarts.universitytickets.com.

Wright State University's production of "Carrie" stars Claire Northcut. PHOTO BY WRIGHT STATE THEATRE

Credit: WRIGHT STATE THEATRE

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Credit: WRIGHT STATE THEATRE

“Carrie”

Through Nov. 17, Wright State University

Claire Northcut, vocally dynamic last season as Rona Lisa Peretti in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” stars as the titular high school outcast with telekinetic powers in this musical version featuring a score by Academy Award winners Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford (”Fame”). Jamie Cordes, Wright State senior lecturer, directs. 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center, 3640 Col Glenn Hwy., Dayton. $15-$25. 937-775-2500 or wrightliberalarts.universitytickets.com.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia will bring his "Please Stop The Ride" tour to the Victoria Theatre on Nov. 22. CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Mike Birbiglia: “Please Stop the Ride”

Nov. 22, Dayton Live

The Emmy-nominated writer/actor/comedian is hitting the road on a new tour. Birbiglia also wrote, directed and starred in the films “Sleepwalk With Me” and “Don’t Think Twice.” His acting credits include the films “Trainwreck,” “The Fault In Our Stars,” “Popstar” and “A Man Called Otto” as well as TV roles in “Orange Is The New Black” and “Billions.” He also hosts the podcast “Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out.” 7 p.m. Friday at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. $39-$125. 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org.

“Elf In Concert”

Nov. 22-23, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Get into the holiday spirit by enjoying this heartwarming Will Ferrell holiday classic while the DPO performs John Debney’s original score live. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. $12.50-$101.50. 937-228-3630 or daytonperformingarts.org.

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”

Nov. 26-Dec. 1, Dayton Live

This jukebox musical about Neil Diamond’s rise as a chart-topping pop icon was created in collaboration with Diamond himself. The legendary artist has sold 120 million albums thanks to such classics as “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “Sweet Caroline.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton. $40-$145. 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org.

"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" will be performed Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 2024 at the Schuster Center courtesy of Dayton Live. CONTRIBUTED

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