Courant arts picks for Nov. 28-Dec. 3: from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Tchaikovsky to Tracy Morgan

Here’s are some best bets for arts events coming up soon: three major authors at the Mark Twain House, one of them accepting a prize. Two shows in the same day from the seasonal sensation Trans-Siberian Orchestra at one Connecticut casino, with a show by a different holiday-themed classical rock show, Mannheim Steamroller, at the other Connecticut casino. Plus two holiday shows at Playhouse on Park.

And amid all the classical bombast and religious themes, it’s nice to have the outspoken comedians Tracy Morgan and Lewis Black in the state as well.

Christmas prog rock

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas-themed prog-rock spectacles have been a fist-pumping holiday tradition for decades, so much so that the essentially faceless band sends out multiple simultaneous tours at this time of year. You have to chances to rock out to “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo,” at 3 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. $50.50-$89.50. mohegansun.com.

Mark Twain author events

The Mark Twain House has back-to-back-to-back in-person author events on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Nov. 30, thriller writer David Baldacci discusses his work with Michael Morand of Yale’s Beinecke Library. Baldacci is a trustee of the Mark Twain House and a real champion of the organization, and the discussion is this year’s Mark Twain Birthday Lecture event. (Twain, aka Samuel Clemens, turns 186 that day, though reports of his death in 1910 have not been exaggerated.)

On Dec. 1, the museum bestows its 2021 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award on Stephen Graham Jones for “The Only Good Indians.”

Both those events are free and take place at the Twain House, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford.

Then on Dec. 2 for $30 at Immanuel Congregational Church, 10 Woodland St., Hartford, the Mark Twain House & Museum hosts Jodi Picoult talking about her latest bestseller “Wish You Were Here.”

All the events are at 7 p.m. marktwainhouse.org.

Playhouse on Park

Playhouse on Park has two holiday shows happening at once: one live and one virtual.

The live one, Dec. 1-19 at 244 Park Road, West Hartford, is “Miss Bennet – Christmas at Pemberley” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. The romantic comedy shows what the Jane Austen character Mary Bennet would be like a couple of years after the events of “Pride and Prejudice.” Tickets are $40-$50, $37.50-$47.50 seniors/students/Let’s Go Arts members. playhouseonpark.org.

The virtual presentation is an encore of “All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” by Peter Rothstein with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. It’s a choral work the playhouse filmed outdoors last year, available on demand Nov. 26 through Jan. 1. Playhouse on Park. $20. playhouseonpark.org.

Chvrch service

The Scottish synth-pop band Chvrches, originally formed as a studio-only project a decade ago, has since toured the world and even appeared in an Archie comic book. Chvrches’ new album is “Screen Violence.” The band plays Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. at College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven. collegestreetmusichall.com.

Mannheim holiday

Mannheim Steamroller’s deft blend of stadium rock, new age and classical music was created 35 years ago by composer Chip Davis. It’s been an international touring sensation for at least that long, especially at Christmastime. Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket. $35-$55. foxwoods.com.

Tchaikovsky & Grieg

Hartford Symphony Orchestra will bring back its “Holiday Cirque Spectacular” later this month, but has also turned its latest MasterWorks concert, Dec. 3-5 at The Bushnell’s Belding Hall, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, into a holiday event.

The symphony will be playing the first act finale from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite,” giving you a chance to savor the score without any distraction from dancers. Also on the program are two piece by Edvard Grieg: a piano concerto and music from his opera “Peer Gynt.” $35-$68. hartfordsymphony.org.

Celtic harvest

The Irish band Lúnasa is named for a Celtic harvest celebration, and that’s what finds them touring at this time of year. It’s sort of a supergroup of Irish musicians, whose members have played with everyone from The Waterboys to Riverdance. Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. $44. katharinehepburntheater.org.

Morgan works it out

Comedian Tracy Morgan of “SNL” and “30 Rock” fame is working out new material over four intimate sets on Dec. 3 and 4 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. each night at the FunnyBone Comedy Club Restaurant, 194 Buckland Hills Drive Suite #1054, Manchester. It’s the comic’s “Working It Out” tour. $42-$57. hartford.funnybone.com.

Black’s getting better

Lewis Black’s signature red-faced rants are ideal for this tense, agitated time of year. The title of the curmudgeon comedian’s new tour, “It Gets Better Every Day,” is intended to be ironic. Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. at the Palace, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford. $50-$75. palacestamford.org.

Ralphie’s been rehearsing

There’s a new tour of “A Christmas Story — The Musical” starting out, and it’s rehearsing at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. After a couple of tech rehearsals, the show will give two public performances Dec. 4 at 1 and 7 p.m.

This is the musical, with songs by the team who later brought you “Dear Evan Hansen,” based on the movie about a kid who dreams of owning a BB gun and his father, who wins a lamp that looks like a lady’s leg. $49-$79. 100 East Main St., Waterbury. palacetheaterct.org.

Christopher Arnott can be reached at carnott@courant.com.