For his fourth PBS special, Italian tenor Pasquale Esposito will grace the San Jose stage to kick off the holiday season. The singer—an SJSU alum with 10 albums and multiple international tours under his belt—will perform a mix of both secular and religious Christmas songs, including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Adeste Fideles” and “O Holy Night.” Esposito will be backed by the San Jose State Orchestra, as the group brings the audience through a European musical journey into the Christmas season. Add some mulled wine, and it’s a fully Italian Christmas.

Pasquale Esposito
Sat, 8pm, $55+
Montgomery Theater, San Jose

One of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a laughably fantastical time that explores what falling in love really is—and all the misadventures associated with the experience. This weekend, San Jose Dance Theatre brings the flirtatious tale to life in dazzling motion in their fall performance. Mischievous Puck casts a spell on Titania, causing her to fall in love with a donkey, and there’s a play within a play also about the misadventures of love. VIP experiences will include a meet-and-greet, along with exclusive entry to the Fairy Kingdom Party.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Sat-Sun, Various Times, $40+
Montgomery Theater, San Jose

The legacy of Johnny Cash lives on with the help of singer-guitarist Danny Millsap and the Hennessy Three—together forming The Only Johnny Cash Tribute Band. Millsap credits a 1990 Cash concert in Fresno as a formative moment, sparking a lifelong goal to keep the music and mystery of The Man in Black alive. Millsap also helms a few other country acts, including a band under his own name. With his Cash tribute, he’s performed all over Northern California and the Central Valley, breathing new life into the legendary ballads of the somber singer-songwriter.

Johnny Cash Tribute
Sat, 8pm, $25+
Montgomery Theatre, San Jose

Fans of the Fab Four will be pleased to hear that due to demand, a second matinee show has been added to the Montgomery Theater’s November 3 production of “In My Life: A Musical Theater Tribute to the Beatles.”

The show follows the career path of The Beatles starting from their early days in the Cavern Club in Liverpool, where they were discovered by their soon-to-be manager Brian Epstein. Epstein acts as the narrator throughout the show, giving the audience a unique perspective on the rock group’s immense talent and notorious infighting. The show moves through a variety of iconic Beatles moments: their first American press conference, The Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium, Abbey Road Studios and the final live performance on the rooftop of their Apple Corp. offices.

Of course, what would a show about the Beatles be without the music? And who is qualified to play what are considered some of the greatest pop songs of all time? Luckily, the Beatles have spawned their own industry of tribute bands, each trying to one up the next in how veritable their imitation comes to the real thing. The show casts the Abbey Road Tribute Band as Beatles and they charge through 33 classic tracks throughout the show.

Discounted tickets for the added matinee show will be available August 30 to September 6. Prices range from $40-$60, but fans can get $10 off during the discount period by using the promo code “BEATLES” when they buy tickets.