PICK OF THE WEEK: If you're prone to involuntary toe tapping, your foot is going to be worn out by the end of "The Soul of Gershwin." Park Square Theatre has put together a spirited collection of music by George and Ira Gershwin, a repertoire of classics ranging from "I Got Rhythm" to "Summertime," from "Embraceable You" to " 'S Wonderful." The show plays Wednesdays through Saturdays, through Dec. 31. 651-291-7005; parksquaretheatre.org
Day by day: Winter officially begins on Wednesday, but don't let the terminology get you down. Instead of thinking of it as the first day of winter, think of it as being halfway to the first day of summer.
Rate yourself: This week will test the mettle of procrastinators. If you're already stressing out about Christmas, you're strictly a minor leaguer. If you make it until Thursday before you start getting nervous about everything you haven't done yet, you're an accomplished postponer. But if you want to consider yourself a bona fide blue-chip dawdler, you need to wait until Saturday morning before leaping into action. In the meantime, sit back and savor another cup of coffee while everyone else panics.
recommended reading: How well do you know your Christmas movies? Test your knowledge in Saturday's Variety.
JEFF STRICKLER
