Ohio Northern University’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents the 18th annual Holiday Spectacular from Thursday, Nov. 15, through Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m.

In addition, there will be performances at the Civic and Convention Center in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m.

The show is underwritten in part by the DeBow and Catherine Freed Endowment for the Arts and Kewpee Hamburger.

Start off the holiday season with festive carols, lavish sets, ballerinas, the ever-popular toy soldiers, the man in red himself, Santa Claus, and a few surprises as this year’s Holiday Spectacular centers on the misadventures of the Trixel, a trouble-making elf who steals Santa’s magic compass prior to Christmas Eve. This sends Mrs. Claus and Pixel the elf on a journey to find the invaluable tool so that Santa can deliver his gifts.

This year, the cast consists of more than 30 students and 15 area children. Mrs. Claus will be played by Sarah Loman, a senior musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas. Pixel will be played by Hayley Reynolds, a junior communication arts major from Sylvania, Ohio, and Trixel will be played by Kayla Burress, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cincinnati, Ohio. The Angel will be played Breann Zerby, a fourth-year pharmacy major from Findlay, Ohio. The dance captain is Gena Loe, a junior musical theatre major from Allen, Texas.

The performance is under the direction of Kristen Osbun Manley, resident artist in music and co-director of the musical theatre program at ONU. Gena Wiley, artistic director and owner of The Dancer By Gina in Delphos, Ohio, will serve as choreographer, and Lloyd Butler, ONU’s resident artist, co-director of the musical theatre program and music director of the symphony orchestra at ONU, will serve as the musical director.

         All tickets for the Lima performances are for general-admission seating and are available for $5 at all Kewpee locations and at the Freed Center.

         Tickets for the Freed Center performances are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and non-ONU students, $9 for children 12 and under, and $5 for ONU students. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com