It's "A Wonderful Life" kicks off its run at 8 p.m. at the Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane

It's "A Wonderful Life" kicks off its run at 8 p.m. at the Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane (off Glenwood Ave.). This musical adaptation of the story hews close to the original. (330) 788-8739. If Friday isn't convenient, there are shows Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
j Or you could treat yourself to a couple of young rock stars. Rob Thomas is on his own now, leaving Matchbox Twenty behind. Anna Nalick opens the show at 8 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland; Tickets.com.
Want something "not unusual"? Check out Tom Jones at 7:30 at the House of Blues, East Fourth Street and Euclid Avenue, Cleveland; Ticketmaster.
One of the area's worst-kept secrets is the Warren Junior Military Band. This talented crew takes the stage at 7 p.m. at W.D. Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren; (330) 841-2619 or www.packardmusichall.com.
Music at Madison offers a varied show with Rodd Coonce, Liz Leslie and Karen Myers, 8 p.m., Dorian Books, 802 Elm St. at Madison, Youngstown; (330) 743-2665.
All you classic rock fans can head over to Canton for Journey, 8 p.m. at Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N.; (330) 489-3090.
Clay Aiken comes to town with his upbeat Christmas show, 7:30 p.m. at Chevrolet Centre, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown; (866) 443-8849 or GetTix.net. Check page D8 for the full story.
Want to get in the spirit? Check out the Olde Fashioned Christmas at the Mill, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mill Creek MetroParks Lanterman's Mill; (330) 740-7107.
Wednesday's a very, very, very busy day.
The Westminster College Celebrity Series presents "The Spirit of Christmas," 8 p.m. at Orr Auditorium, New Wilmington, Pa.; (724) 946-7354.
Here in town, the New Music Society at YSU offers a concert by the New York-based Aurista Ensemble at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Bliss Recital Hall. The duo will perform twice earlier in the day.
In Cleveland, Carly Simon and Feed-A-Family plays at 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre, Playhouse Square Center, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland; Tickets.com.
"An Olde English Feaste" will feature the Shenango Valley Chorale, 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Tara, A Country Inn, Clark, Pa.; (724) 342-0793.
Beginning Dec. 2, you can see Cosmic Views From the Hubble Space Telescope, at 8 p.m. in Ward Beecher Planetarium, Youngstown State University. (330) 941-1370.
On Dec. 3, Brad Paisley will perform with Sara Evans and Sugarguard, 8 p.m., The Wolstein Center on the campus of Cleveland State University; (216) 861-3229.
Also Dec. 3, Cyndi Lauper plays at 8 p.m. in Lakewood Civic Auditorium, Bunts Road at Franklin Avenue, Lakewood; Ticketmaster. k
Dec. 6 brings As I Lay Dying, with guests Norma Jean, Madball and Life Once Lost, 7:30 p.m. at Odeon Concert Club, 1295 Old River Road, Cleveland; Ticketmaster.
On Dec. 7, there's a real treat: New Riders of the Purple Sage, 8:30 p.m. at Wilbert's Bar and Grille; (216) 902-4663. This is one of the original psychedelic cowboy bands, known for wicked humor and hot licks.