Take Your Visiting Family to the Theatre in Akron, Ohio

Here is a guide to the holiday shows in the Akron area:

Weathervane Theatre - 1301 Weathervane Lane - Akron - weathervaneplayhouse.com

Weathervane specializes in productions using local talent. The theatre is also a great place for kids to get involved in the theatre

Every holiday season, the kids of the Weathervane Youth Theatre stage Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The play will run from Nov. 24 to Dec. 17. Show times are Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Weathervane is also staging an audience participation murder mystery on Nov. 25. These are always fun, so it could be a good idea if you have family in town for Thanksgiving weekend.

The play is called Reunion at Weathervane High. Doors open at 7 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Weathervane Women's Board.

Carousel Dinner Theatre - carouseldinnertheatre.com - 1275 E. Waterloo Road - Akron

Singin' in the Rain is this year's holiday show at the Carousel, running from Nov. 8 to Jan. 6. Everyone knows this show from the iconic image of Gene Kelly dancing and singing during a storm. "Make 'Em Laugh" is another big song from the show.

The plot centers on silent-movie stars who are scrambling to make a smooth transition to the talkies. This is a fun, light-hearted show, so it would be perfect if you've watched too many episodes of CSI.

I took my wife to the Carousel recently to see Urinetown: The Musical, which was fantastic. Before the show, the host talked about Singin' in the Rain. He said the set designers will actually make it rain on stage, and he warned that some of the people in the front row will get rained on for about 10 seconds. It will be interesting to see them pull off that stunt.

Akron Civic Theatre - akroncivic.com - 182 S. Main St. - Akron

I have to give a huge recommendation for The Nutcracker. This is an annual production by the Children's Ballet Theatre. The kids put in about a zillion hours of practice, and the result is a very professional-looking show.

If you've never taken your kids to the Civic or to see a good ballet production, here is your chance. The show will take place on Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. After the final curtain, a huge display of Nutcracker-themed Christmas gifts goes on display in the lobby. So if you miss the first day of shopping on the 24th, you can get started after you see The Nutcracker.

The Civic will also put on its 27th annual Tuba Christmas show on Dec. 17 at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

Hudson Players - hudsonplayers.com - Barlow Community Center - Hudson

This is a community theatre that puts you very close to the action. The holiday show is a comedy called Inspecting Carol. In the play, a local production of A Christmas Carol is thrown into chaos by the arrival of a government inspector. Hudson Players is a different experience than a big-theatre show, and it's good to see theatre in this way every once in a while. My brother does community theatre in Pittsburgh, and these companies put a lot of time and effort into their work.

Stan Hywet - stanhywet.org - 714 N. Portage Path - Akron

Akron's historic mansion will host its annual "Deck the Hall" celebration from Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 8-30 (closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas).

The house will be decorated in the style of The Nutcracker. Also, the grounds will be decorated with Christmas lights. Children 12 and under get in free.

Kent State University - www.kent.edu - Kent

The KSU Choral Music Program will sponsor the annual Old English Yuletide Feaste Nov.30-Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Doors will open at 7.

The Student Center Ballroom will be decorated as a Queen's Court, and guests are introduced as lords and ladies. Tickets cost $40 for Nov. 30 and $45 for Dec. 1-2. To order, call (330) 672-3161.