The temperature is dipping. The decorations are coming out. The sales are starting. Yes - the holiday season is here. We in New England love the holidays, and it seems like the season starts earlier and earlier every year.

But why get caught up in the craziness? You can get all of your holiday shopping done right on our website, bushnell.org. Everyone loves live entertainment, whether it's your mom who wants to see The Producers, or your brother who loves our Ha! Ha! Hartford! nights of stand-up comedy, your niece who is a dance fanatic and can't wait to see Simply Ballroom, or your fun-loving friend who is guranteed a hilarious, great night out with tickets to see The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Or, if you don't quite know what to get those people on your shopping list, just purchase them Bushnell gift certificates, available in any denomination. Just a few minutes on our website and your shopping is done, all from the comfort of home! Then you can take all that extra time you saved not waiting in lines and dealing with crowds and spend it with your family, relaxing and enjoying the most festive time of year.

A ticket to see the blockbuster musical Wicked, that's what! Once again, Wicked is offering $25 orchestra seats through a daily day-of-performance lottery. Each day, 2 1/2 before show time (and two hours prior to the Saturday and Sunday matinees), people who show up at The Bushnell Box Office will have their names placed in a lottery drum, and then 30 minutes later, the lucky names will be drawn for a select number of $25 orchestra seats. This opportunity is cash only - so hit the ATM and head down to The Bushnell during the run of Wicked, November 14 through December 9, to get your chance at the best deal in town to see live theater!

If you're wondering whether there are good seats still available to see Broadway's biggest blockbuster, WICKED, at The Bushnell November 14-December 9, you're in luck! The best availability for tickets is for following performances: Wednesday, November 14, Thursday, November 15, Sunday, November 18, and Monday, November 19, as well as for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evening performances. These tickets will surely be snapped up soon, so buy your tickets now!

The curtain went up on our four-week run of Wicked last night, and, after months of waiting, we are so excited that the show has finally begun! The fans were too, judging by the standing ovation last night. Did you go to the show? What did you think?

With Thanksgiving coming this week, 'tis almost the season for holiday music! We can't wait to welcome Broadway Inspirational Voices, one of the tri-states' foremost Gospel choirs, to The Bushnell on December 17.

And what a choir it is! This Grammy-nominated and multi-racial group is comprised of highly-talented Broadway performers from some of your favorite shows like Rent, The Color Purple, The Lion King, Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Best of all, the Hartford concert will include the unbeatable talent of the Tony Award-winning Phylicia Rashad ("The Cosby Show," Gem of the Ocean, A Raisin in the Sun), Tony Award-winning Adriane Lenox (Doubt, Caroline or Change) and Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu, All Shook Up).

Broadway singers and holiday music - it's a guaranteed festive night out!