NASHVILLE — A Nashville audience will get a glimpse of the non-touring Garth Brooks when he appears December 9 at the Acuff Theatre in a special show entitled Lime Creek Christmas.

The production combines dramatic performances by actor Anthony Zerbe with acoustic music by Brooks, who will perform Christmas songs and other music appropriate to scenes of a western ranch winter.

Lime Creek Christmas was inspired by Joe Henry's novel-in-progress. Henry wrote Brooks' song "Belleau Wood," about Christmas Eve on a World War I battlefield. His western play includes scenes depicting the birth of a foal and a gathering of ranching families on Christmas Eve.

At a press conference October 9, Brooks said he has given up touring to devote time to fatherhood, so his appearance in Nashville represents a rare opportunity to see him live.

Brooks and Zerbe first performed Lime Creek Christmas at the WYO Theater in Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1991. They will return to Sheridan for a performance on December 8.

Zerbe's film credits include "Cool Hand Luke," "The Omega Man" and "Papillon." On television, he has had roles in "The Young Riders" and "Harry-O."

Proceeds from the show will benefit Gilda's Club of Nashville and the Opry Trust Fund.