THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995              TAG: 9511170559
SECTION: DAILY BREAK              PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

PREVIEW

TONIGHT

MAVIS' TAP-DANCE class attracts a crazy range of people. Chubby Sylvia brags about her open marriage. Vera is so critical. Jeff, the only guy, seems out of place. Eventually, everyone spills a personal secret in ``Stepping Out,'' the comedy by British playwright Richard Harris opening tonight at 8 at Little Theater of Virginia Beach, 24th Street and Barberton Drive. It continues at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, then weekends through Dec. 9. Tickets: $7-$10. Call 428-9233.

Teresa Annas

SATURDAY

JOLLY ST. NICK, along with about 100,000 spectators, usher in the holiday season Saturday during the Holidays in the City Grand Illumination & Parade. At 6:30 p.m., 10 miles of lights will illuminate the downtown Norfolk skyline. The parade follows with lighted floats, bands and clowns. It begins at St. Paul's Boulevard and Waterside Drive, turns right onto Main Street, left on Bank Street, left on City Hall Avenue and right on Boush Street. Free. 623-1757.

- Roy Bahls

TONIGHT

A good definition of ``value for money'' comes to Hampton Coliseum tonight in the form of the Alan Jackson/Faith Hill tour. The first five years of Jackson's country-music stardom is summed up in an excellent new greatest hits album; expect him to follow through live. Hill's ``It Matters to Me,'' her second album, is repeating the success enjoyed by her 1994 debut. The show begins at 8; tickets are $20.50. To order, call 671-8100.

- Rickey Wright

WEEKEND

EXPECT A PHANTOM sighting in downtown Norfolk as 20 trucks wheel in tons of equipment for ``Phantom of the Opera'' at Chrysler Hall. Excitment is mounting over the production, sure to be the most expensive and longest-running in local theater history. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has advance sales topping $4 million and is drawing patrons from as far away as Florida. Latest advisory: The best seats are available opening week. Tickets range from $16.50 to a whopping $66.50. Preview performances at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday; opening night is Saturday. It runs through Jan. 6. Tickets are available at the Scope box office, or order at 671-8100 or 872-8100.

- Mal Vincent by CNB