Last chance

Playhouse: Time is running out for Playhouse in the Park's beloved Christmas Carol. Now in its 13th year, the holiday classic is a fairly close reading of the original with lavish sets and tons of special effects. 2 and 7 p.m. today, 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Playhouse in the Park, Eden Park, $32-$47, call first to make sure there are still tickets. 421-3888.

Skewed holiday: Shadowbox Cabaret takes an off-kilter look at the season with Holiday Hoopla, the only place in town where you can hear the Santa Babies knock out holiday favorites with a batch of sketch comedies set to the tune of rock 'n' roll. 7 p.m. today, Shadowbox Cabaret, Newport on the Levee, $25, $10 seniors and students. (859) 957-7625 for reservations.

Mrs. Robinson: It's also last call for The Graduate, the stage adaptation of the classic Dustin Hoffman movie about a love triangle involving naive Benjamin Braddock, the seductive and manipulative Mrs. Robinson and her innocent daughter Elaine. 1 and 6:30 p.m. today, Procter and Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., downtown, $20-$50. 721-3344.

Going out

Puppet high jinks: When Madcap Puppets Theater does Three Tales with Tails, the Three Little Pigs, the Three Billy Goats Gruff and Goldilocks and the Three Bears get their lives all mixed up and can't fix things. The audience helps. 1 and 3 p.m. today, Cincinnati Art Museum, $9, $8 kids under 18, $1 off for Museum and Zoo members. 721-2787.

Raucous country: Nobody does raucous better than Bobby Mackey. Check it out when he and the Big Mac Band take the stage - actually they seize it - for a nightful of country with some rock 'n' roll licks tossed in. 9:30 p.m. today, Bobby Mackey's Music World, 44 Licking Pike, Wilder, doors open at 7:30 p.m., $5 cover after 9 p.m. (859) 431-5588.

Over the rainbow: These things are always a hoot, but a road trip is required: The Sing-along Wizard of Oz gets the audience involved in the classic story of Dorothy, Toto and all her lost friends in Oz. The audience is expected to follow the subtitles and sing along with the soundtrack. Oh, and some bring props, too. 2 and 5 p.m. today, Capitol Theatre, 77 S. High St., Columbus, $27.50, $17.50, $10. (614) 460-7214.

Planning ahead

24 hours out: The Blue Wisp Big Band, normally cleaning their instruments on Monday nights (Wednesday is their night to howl), makes a rare Monday appearance. The multiple Cammy winners toss out a lively mix of jazz and classic big band. 9:30 p.m., Blue Wisp, 318 E. Eighth St., downtown, $8. 241-9477.

48 hours out: The Harlem Globetrotters, dribble into town for a night of trick shots and audience participation.7 p.m. Tuesday, U.S. Bank Arena, downtown, $15-$24. 241-4111.

Also 48 hours out: The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra takes over the stage for new jazz and updated classics. 9 p.m. Tuesday, Havana Martini Club, 580 Walnut St., downtown, $5. 651-2800.

Jim Knippenberg

E-mail: jknippenberg@enquirer.com; fax: 768-8330