The theater is a grand tradition that is nearly as old as laughter and crying. Sure, today, we all do the streaming thing, but those who have taken the time to see plays live realize there is a vibrancy to performing for, and being part of the crowd. The shared experience is hard to replicate.

Luckily for those of us in the Phoenix metro, November to April is prime theater season. There are more than a handful of terrific options to meet every interest over the next few weeks and beyond.

Now through Dec. 29, The Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, will be presenting, The Sound Of Music. The story of the little nun that could who meets a flock of kids and their hunky dad is as lively today as it was half a century ago (see dates below for more information).

From Nov. 14 to Dec. 1, catch Silent Sky,> a celebration of discovery, originality, and curiosity brought to us by playwright Lauren Gunderson and The Arizona Theatre Co. The play is based on the true story of early 1900s astronomer Henrietta Leavitt who had to struggle for recognition in the man’s world of turn-of-the-century astronomy (see dates below for more information).

Don’t miss Noel Coward’s Hay Fever — it will only be performed in Phoenix for three days, from Nov. 14 to 17. The work has been called a durable comedy and you will get a chance to determine if that is correct or not when the Arizona School for the Arts presents the play at the The Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix (see dates below for more information).

For those with more of a funny streak, from Nov. 22 to Dec. 22  Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, will present Elf The Musical, Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell (see dates below for more information).

From Nov. 22 to Dec. 22, Little Orphan Annie will surely make you feel like the sun has come out as Desert Stages Theater, 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, presents, Annie the Musical (see dates below for more information).

Finally, for more adult-related themes, BLK BOX PHX will present Bauer about the life of modern artist Rudolph Bauer at the Judith Hardes Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. This show features an all equity cast and is directed by Elaine 'E.E.' Moe. For more information, visit 

There are a number of other great events over the next two weeks including music from Dan Navarro, a The Beatles tribute and Hoobastank. There is also jade art at the Phoenix Art Museum, an appearance by the Blue Man Group and a great magic show. 

Tuesday, Nov. 12
Cleveland-born David Wilcox is a refined performer with a smooth baritone voice, virtuosic guitar chops, and creative open tunings. Catch him in the intimate confines of the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, at 7 p.m.

 

Wednesday, Nov. 13
The use of jade for creating objects of ritual and adornment dates back five millennia in China. The Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, will present Janet Baker, curator of Asian art, who will discuss human purposes and symbolism tied to the mineral, highlighted by works on view, including a recent acquisition funded by the Asian Arts Council.

Nov. 13 to Dec. 29
Throughout the holidays, The Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, will be presenting, The Sound Of Music. The story of the little nun that could who meets a flock of kids and their hunky dad is as lively today as it was half a century ago.

Nov. 14 to Dec. 1
Silent Sky>is a celebration of discovery, originality, and curiosity brought to us by playwright Lauren Gunderson and The Arizona Theatre Co. The play is based on the true story of early 1900s astronomer Henrietta Leavitt who had to struggle for recognition in the man’s world of turn-of-the-century astronomy. In Phoenix, The Arizona Theatre puts their productions on at The Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 

Nov. 14 to 16
Hoobastank and a plethora of as-of-yet-widely-unknown artists will entertain over three days at Mesa Music Festival at a variety of locations throughout downtown Mesa. The event is structured a lot like that thing they put on in Austin, all-be-it with less starpower...for now.  

Nov. 14 to 17
Noel Coward’s Hay Fever has been called a durable comedy and you will get a chance to determine if that is correct or not when the Arizona School for the Arts presents the play at the The Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix.

Friday, Nov. 15
On Nov. 15, 1964, The Beatles ended their last British tour with a concert that saw them profit a mere 850 pounds. Exactly 55 years later, 1964 the Tribute presents that year from The Beatles’ perspective. Celebrity Theater, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 8 p.m.

He may have just released his first solo album, but you’ve likely heard Dan Navarro’s work as performed by Pat Benatar, The Bangles, Jackson Browne, Dave Edmunds, The Temptations, Dionne Warwick, The Triplets, Dutch star Marco Borsato, and Austin outlaw legend Rusty Weir. He will be at Fiddler’s Dream Coffeehouse, 1702 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, at 8 p.m. 

Nov. 15 to 16
Champions of Magic is five world-class illusionists who are already famous online:  Young & Strange, Alex McAleer, Fernando Velasco and Kayla Drescher. Among the illusions are an impossible escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, a mind-blowing prediction that has to be seen to be believed, and levitation high above the stage. Orpheum Theatre, 2013 W. Adams, Phoenix.

Nov. 15 to 17
The Blue Man Group is bringing their "Speechless Tour" to ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. The show will feature new and original compositions, acts, and instruments alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments based in joy, art, music, comedy, social commentary, and profound absurdity.

Saturday, Nov. 16
The 6th Annual Arizona Hip-Hop Festival will bump the streets around The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison St., Phoenix, for two days. Unlike some other festivals, the event is a “who’s who” of the local scene.

Blue Note Records, considered the world’s most-respected and longest-running jazz label, brings its 80th Anniversary Celebration: The State of Jazz 2019 Tour to Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. RIo Salado, Tempe, at 7:30 pm.

The Black Keys brings their popular brand of rock to the Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, with their “Let’s Rock” Tour. 

Urban Expo, a family fun day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., celebrates the culture and people within the urban community through live entertainment, food vendors, local businesses and a career showcase. For more information, visit 

Sunday, Nov. 17
The Sugar Thieves bring their “sultry” blues-roots foundation and delta sound to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 19
As part of Mesa Art Center's Classical Music Inside Out series, soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor and teacher Lynn Harrell will perform at the Piper Repertory Theater, 1 W. Main St., Mesa, at 7:30 p.m.  

Nov. 22 to Dec. 29
Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf The Musical is the tale of Buddy, who, as a baby, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria.

Nov. 22 to 24
The Phoenix Symphony presents Beethoven and Tchaikovsky including “Piano Concerto No. 2” and selections from Swan Lake at Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. The conductor is Ryan McAdams, with Stewart Goodyear featured on piano.

Nov. 22 to Dec. 22
Little Orphan Annie will surely make you feel like the sun has come out as Desert Stages Theater, 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, presents, Annie the Musical. We can all use an example of pluck and positivity every once in a while. 

Nov. 22 to Dec. 8
Finally, for more adult-related themes, BLK BOX PHX will present Bauer about the life of modern artist Rudolph Bauer at the Judith Hardes Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. This show features an all equity cast and is directed by Elaine 'E.E.' Moe.