Not really too similar. TSO is more rock opera-ish, all kinda youngish, long hair eclectics, lots of electric guitars, drums and keyboards, lotsa laser lights and loads of special effects, pyrotechnics, etc.
The show starts out the same every year. It tells a story of the "Lost Christmas Eve". That's the first half of the show. (It's about 2.5 hours long total) The second half changes a little each year, they choose various selections from their recordings, redo some rock classics and they add different effects, but keep some of the most dramatic ones from year to year. They had a keyboard "Duel" this year which was really neat. It's just an awesome evening. If you don't go to NYC, you should really check it out. ~$60/ticket after all the fees are said and done.
I love sitting with people that have never seen the show before, it is so cool to watch their expressions.
