Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Now to Dec. 22 – Breakthrough Theatre’s ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’

In the largest cast ever assembled by the Breakthrough Theater of Winter Park, this holiday play finds a well-meaning couple struggling to put on a Christmas pageant for their church while coping with the most inventively awful kids in history. There is mayhem and fun – as the kids and adults collide head-on with the Christmas story. Breakthrough Theatre is located at 421 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034.

Dec. 20 to 23 – ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Bob Carr

The ballet that is everyone’s favorite holiday entertainment brings its visions of sugarplum fairies, dancing flowers and so much more to the Bob Carr PAC as the Orlando Ballet celebrates the holiday season with “The Nutcracker.” Presented in four performances from Dec. 20 to 23, this “Nutcracker” remains true to its classical traditions with an infusion of Artistic Director Robert Hill’s mix of choreography. And this season, “The Nutcracker” will be danced to live music from the Orlando Philharmonic. Tchaikovsky would be proud! Call 407-426-1739.

Dec. 22 and 23 – ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Convention Center

Named “one of five outstanding productions in the entire nation” by CNN Headlines News, the ‘pyrotechnic’ “Nutcracker” will be presented by the Central Florida Ballet on Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center. This presentation emphasizes the fairytale story of a Nutcracker doll coming to life as an enchanted prince who saves a pretty young maiden from distress. With amazing special effects, this production keeps young male audience members just as interested as the little girls. Call 407-849-9948 or visit centralfloridaballet.com

Dec. 22 and 23 – A One-Man Version of ‘A Christmas Carol’

Celebrating Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday, Southern Winds Theatre will present a “One Man ’A Christmas Carol’” written and performed by David McElroy. Performing 37 different characters, McElroy creates everyone from Scrooge to Tiny Tim and the three Ghosts. This solo interpretation, created for adults and children, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 and 23 at The Venue at 511 Virginia Ave. in Orlando. Call 407-341-3495 or visit southernwindstheatre.com

Dec. 22 to March 31 – Glass sculptures at Orlando Museum of Art

Through its new exhibit – Contemporary Glass Sculpture: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Studio Glass – the Orlando Museum of Art will join a celebration of glass art that will include more than 160 events at museums and galleries nationwide. The OMA exhibit will feature 65 works by renowned artists including Dale Chihuly, William Morris, Christopher Ries, Therman Statom, Lino Tagliapietra and others, while works by young artists will explore how each uses the intrinsic characteristics of glass for expressive purposes. Most of the works, selected from private collections, have never been in a museum exhibit before. The Museum is in Loch Haven Park at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando. Parking is free. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Dec. 27 and 28 – Benefit concerts for homeless charities

Two evenings of impressive harmonizing will provide help to Central Florida’s homeless population as The Lettermen, the famous vocal trio, return to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park. The concerts, presented by Homeless Heart, will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27 (Christmas concert) and Dec. 28 (Broadway concert). Tickets are $30 and $50 at homelessheart.org or at the St. Margaret Mary Church office at 526 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park. Charities benefiting from the concert include Bring Change, Covenant House, Family Promise, Idignity, Nathaniel’s Hope and others which are not large enough to produce an event such as this alone. In this season of giving, call 407-998-5662 or visit HomelessHeart.org

Dec. 29 – The always amazing Toxic Audio

Toxic Audio is a national treasure, which came to life right here in Central Florida. A five-person singing group that mimics a human juke box, their a capella show is an hour-and-30-minute montage of favorite songs from Michael Jackson to The Beatles that are amusingly synchronized into skits. Most amazing, however, is that both lyrics and instruments are created through their five human voices. And music isn’t all the five-some can mimic. Other sounds, such as a motorcycle revving and other noises, are featured. Their one-show-only, on Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m., is at the Wayne Densch PAC in Sanford. Call 407-321-1811.