“The Shakespeare Project” and “The Fifteen Minute Hamlet,” presented by The Young Yorkville Players youth theater, 8 p.m. July 18, 19, 25, 26 and at 3 p.m. July 20 and 27. In the Shakespeare Project, adapted by James Zager, the most famous scenes and monologues are taken from a selection of Shakespearean works and presented in a contemporary style with new interpretations. In Fifteen Minute Hamlet, Tom Stoppard’s version takes the most famous and best loved lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and condenses them into a hilarious fifteen minute version. Tickets are $8 adults and $5 children and may be purchased at the door. For details, call (866) 334-0064 or 980-7412 or visit www.yorkvilleplayers.com.

Brad Paisley, July 18, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte.

“Avenue Q,” July 22 to 27, 2008, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte, part of the Stanford Broadway Lights Series. Broadway show about traying to make it big in New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

Sunday, Aug. 3

Rascal Flatts with Taylor Swift, Aug. 3, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte.

Tuesday, August 5

Sights and Sounds of the American Revolution, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5, Historic Brattonsville. Let the sound of field drums and wooden fifes take you back over 200 years to the time of George Washington, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, and the rag-tag Continental Army, as the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps perform their Revolutionary War music. Dressed in replica Revolutionary War uniforms, these performers recall the days when fifing and drumming was used during times of war to relay commands to soldiers, direct movements of units, and provide inspiration and marching rhythm. Regular admission, $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 youth and free for members and children 3 and younger.

Thursday, Aug. 21

Kenny Chesney with LeAnn Rimes, Aug. 21, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte.

Friday, September 5

Brooks and Dunn with Rodney Atkins, Sept. 5, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte.

Martina McBride, Oct. 3, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte.

“Traces,” Oct. 7 to Nov. 28, McGlohon Theater, Charlotte. Featuring high-energy urban acrobatics, the show chronicles five characters attempting to live to the fullest what they believe could be their last moments, telling their stories through music, song, dance, speech, illustration and acrobatics using such skills as tradtional Chinese acrobatics, basketball, skateboarding, classic piano, dance, humor and illustration. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Tickets, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“Chicago,” Nov. 11 to 16, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. Tony Award-winning razzle-dazzle tale of sin and celebrity set to a jazz score, featuring Roxie Hart and her sisters in crime, the ladies of murderess row. Songs include “All That Jazz,” “Mister Cellophane,” “Cell Block Tango” and others. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“Rent,” Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, 2009, Ovens Audiorium, Charlotte. Groundbreaking rock musical, starring the original Broadway cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. Charlotte will be one of a limited number of cities nationwide to host the farewell tour of “Rent,” which is closing on Broadway after a dozen years and leaving the road market for the forseeable future. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“Frost/Nixon,” Feb. 10 to 15, 2009, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumemthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. Starring Stacy Keach as former President Richard Nixon, the show tackles the question, how did David Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from Nixon? The fast-paced play recounts one of the most monumental televisioin interviews of all time. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

Riverdance, March 3 to 8, 2009, Ovens Aditorium, Charlotte. Thunderous celebration that features a blend of joyful music, song and dance and draws on Irish traditions is making its farwell visit to Charlotte. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“Burn the Floor,” March 24 to 29, 2009, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumemthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. Dance spectacular featuring world-class ballroom dancers performing to live music. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“Legally Blonde,” April 21 to 26, 2009, Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte. Heroine Elle Woods takes the audience from the sorority house to the halls of justice when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious” and she hits the books and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

Oprah Winfrey presents “The Color Purple,” May 19 to 24, 2009, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. Soul-stirring musical based on the classic novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg. An inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find the joy in life and her inner beauty. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“The Phantom of the Opera,” June 10 to July 5, 2009, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. Tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the magestic Paris Opera House. Part of the Stanford Broadway Lights series. Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.

“Mamma Mia!” July 28 to Aug. 2, 2009, Belk Theater, N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. Smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA returns to Charlotte with its sunny, funny tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Songs include “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All” and “Take A Chance on Me.” Details, blumenthalcenter.org or call (704) 372-1000.