Pictured From Black Nativity at Congo Square. From Blue Nativity at Quest. A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theatre. The Radio City Rockettes return to town. Red Moon Theatre's From Nothing.
There's hardly a theater in town that isn't devoted this month to Holiday shows. Our alphabetical listing includes most—but not quite all—of them. Ticket prices listed are for adults. Most—but not quite all—offer discounted tickets for tykes ( and often for seniors, too ) so be sure to ask. Also, most—but not quite all—of the family shows offer extra matinees over the holiday season, especially once school is out.
In the adjoining pages, our Windy City Times theater critics offer full reviews of a handful of holiday shows. Most—but not quite all—of them are new shows being seen for the first time. The reviewed shows are not included in the list below, nor are holiday dance attractions ( with one exception ) , which will be featured next week. From holiday classics to new originals, from X-rated shows for adults only to Xmas-rated shows for wee ones, there's something for everyone.
A Christmas Carol—The estimable William Brown marks his fourth appearance as Ebenezer Scrooge as Goodman Theatre offers its 28th annual staging of the Mother of All Dickens Redux, with lavish scenery and startling special effects redesigned for the new Goodman Theatre Center, through Dec. 26; ( 312 ) 443-3820; $20-$65.
A Christmas Carol—Dickens redux for the second year by Provision Theater Company in an intimate adaptation with music by company founder Tim Gregory and David H. Bell, and featuring the estimable Bradley Armacost as Scrooge. Through Dec. 30, Theatre Building Chicago; ( 773 ) 327-5252; $25.
A Christmas Carol—Dickens redux for the fourth family-friendly time at the Metropolis Centre in beautiful downtown Arlington Heights, with live music, dance, rich costumes and special effects all clocking in at about 90 minutes. Through Dec. 24 ( with numerous morning matinees ) ; ( 847 ) 577-2121; $25.
A Christmas Carol—Not Dickens redux, but the most authentic version of all, Dickens' own. For the 10th year, Michael Halberstam offers a solo staged reading of Dickens' original ( much as Dickens himself did ) complete with semi-authentic British accents. Dec. 20-22 ( four performances only ) , Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; ( 847 ) 242-6000; $30.
Black Nativity—This nativity play and gospel church service—extended by Mike Malone from a modest original by the late, great ( and gay ) Langston Hughes—was a new holiday season entry last year from Congo Square Theatre Company. The music sparkles, the costumes keep on coming and the show emphasizes religion, but we hope they shorten it by 20 minutes this year. Through Dec. 31 at the Goodman Theatre Center; ( 312 ) 443-3800; $20-$45.
Blue Nativity—For the fourth year, Quest Theatre Ensemble puts the Christ child back in Christmas with its touring half-hour nativity play, told with towering nine-foot puppets and diverse classical and American folk music. Venues range from Rockford and Lombard to downtown Chicago. Close-by upcoming dates include Fourth Presbyterian Church ( Michigan at Delaware ) , Dec. 9; St. Teresa's ( 1037 W. Armitage ) , Dec. 10; and St. Peter's Church ( 110 W. Madison ) , Dec. 16. Through Jan. 1; call for complete locations, dates and times; ( 312 ) 458-0895; FREE.
Christmas Classics—Don't let the title fool you, as the Downers Grove-based New World Repertory Theatre ( 923 Curtiss Street ) lets loose its improvisation team to take an irreverent swing at some favorite holiday tales, partly scripted and partly free-form improv. Through Dec. 17; ( 630 ) 663-1489; $10.
The Christmas Schooner—Now a national phenom, this lovely and bittersweet holiday musical by John Reeger and Julie Shannon returns to Bailiwick Repertory where it all began 11 years ago. Based on Midwestern history about how Christmas trees used to come to Chicago, this is one original holiday show fully deserving of its success. For adults and mature youngsters, through Dec. 31; ( 773 ) 883-1090; $25-$35.
Corporation, Inc.: Holiday Bonus—Humor Solutions presents a completely improvised interactive day at the office, and on the very day of the holiday office party. Based on audience suggestions, this satire of corporate America is a true long-form improvised one-act play. Dec. 16-Jan. 21, Victory Gardens Theater; ( 773 ) 871-3000; $15.
Do You Fear What I Fear?—A holiday sketch comedy revue from GayCo Productions, offering a much-needed diversion from the senseless loss of Marshall Fields. Do You Fear What I Fear? promises a holiday adventure of religion, lesbians, birth of the savior, singing carols and circuit boys. Through Dec. 17, late nights at Bailiwick Repertory; 773-883-1090; $15. The cast features Windy City Times radio circuit boy Jim Bennett.
Dysfunctional Dixie Christmas—Once a mainstay of the Free Associates, this one-hour improvisation on Xmas ala Tennessee Williams now is independently produced by Vicki Quade. It is, of course, the holiday show Tennessee never got around to writing and is the seasonal companion to the long-running Cast on a Hot Tin Roof. Through Dec. 31, Royal George Theatre, ( 312 ) 988-9000; $15.
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues—Sexual harassment by Santa, abused reindeer, a media circus, the dark truth about life at the North Pole. The Journeymen once again offer Jeff Goode's deeply sardonic take on jolly old St. Nick. This is alternative Xmas fare not suitable for kids ( and with a late-night performance time ) . Through Dec. 23 at the Theatre Building Chicago; ( 773 ) 327-5252; $20.
From Nothing—Redmoon Theater replaces its annual Winter Pageant with something new and different. Exactly what it is remains a mystery, although it will be indoors, very creative ( live music, masks, puppetry, dance, etc. ) , not specifically about The Holidays and will be experienced by only 50 people at a time entering the venue at 30-minute intervals and moving about interactively. Through Dec. 23 at Redmoon Central ( 1463 W. Hubbard St. ) ; ( 312 ) 850-8440, ext. 111; $10.
Greetings—Attic Playhouse ( Highwood ) offers this recent popular comedy by Tom Dudzick ( Over the Tavern ) about a Catholic boy who brings his Jewish atheist fiancée home on Christmas Eve to meet his quirky family, complete with mentally-challenged younger brother and a holiday miracle. Through Dec. 18; 410 Sheridan Road, Highwood; ( 847 ) 433-2660; $20.
The Hipmas Carol—For the sixth year, HeadCheese Fat Boss Productions offers its retelling of the Dickens classic in hipster rhyme inspired by the late, great Lord Richard Buckley, with two performers taking on 25 characters accompanied by live blues/jazz guitar. It's not a parody and not a rap and those who know Lord Buckley's legacy will dig the difference. At Raven Theatre ( Clark at Granville ) through Dec. 23; ( 773 ) 539-2915; $15.
It's a FABULOUS Life—A gay George Bailey? That's the way it is in Albert Evans and David Sexton's rainbow madcap musical take on the tale of an angel and a man in anguish, returning to Bailiwick Repertory through Dec. 31; ( 773 ) 883-1090; $22-$25.
Jack and the Wild Goose Chase—If you know nothing about the British tradition of the Christmas pantomime—panto for short—you can cut your teeth on this one, an original created for American tastes by Piccolo Theatre. Pantos they may be, but silent they are not. In typical Brit fashion, Jack is a fractured fairy tale filled with magic, sight gags, audience interplay, outrageous costumes, song and dance. Definitely bring small children and child-like adults. Through Dec. 17; Evanston Arts Depot ( 600 Main Street ) ; ( 847 ) 424-0089; $20.
Judy's Scary Little Christmas—Hell in a Handbag Productions offers an original musical take on holiday TV specials of yesteryear, specifically a 1959 comeback show by the one-and-only Judy Garland ( Jennifer Connelly ) who goes awry before such guest stars as Ethel Merman, Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford and Liberace. Through Jan. 7 at Strawdog Theatre ( 3829 N. Broadway ) ; ( 312 ) 409-4357; $20. Not for the kids ( who wouldn't know who these people were anyhow ) .
A Nutcracker Christmas—Fritz is a modern computer game boy, master of Mouse Hunter 5000, who meets the evil Mouse King of the E.T.A. Hoffmann original in this updated version with music of The Nutcracker, created by one of our leading children's theater troupes, Emerald City Theatre Company; a 60-minute show for family audiences ( ages 3 and up ) . Through Dec. 31; Apollo Theater ( Chicago ) ; ( 773 ) 935-6100; $12.
The Nutcracker—One of our best regional dance companies, the Salt Creek Ballet, offers its annual version of the Tchaikovsky and Hoffmann classic with more than 80 dancers and a 50-piece orchestra; Dec. 10 ( two performances ) , Center for the Performing Arts at Governors State University ( in south suburban University Park ) ; ( 708 ) 235-2222; $27-$36.
The Nutcracker and the King of Mice—This non-dance, dramatic version of the familiar story adheres more closely to E. T. A. Hoffmann's fantastic Christmas tale, rife with intimations of the dark side of childhood, brought to life through puppetry, music and masks by the Incurable Theater. Through Jan. 8, Chicago Cultural Center Studio; ( 773 ) 486-7453; $15.
The Other Cinderella—This Chicago ghetto version of the Cinderella story, created by company founder Jackie Taylor, makes its biennial appearance at the Black Ensemble Theater, complete with a fairy godmother from Jamaica, a wicked stepmama who works at the post office and lots of original soul music and dance. Through Dec. 31 at 4520 N. Beacon St.; ( 773 ) 769-4451: $35 ( and the Black Ensemble always provides bang for the bucks ) .
Plaid Tidings—All the holiday pop songs you never want to hear again—and maybe a few you do—are given a warm 1950s burnish in this holiday-themed sequel to Forever Plaid, celebrating the male pop vocal groups before rock 'n' roll. Written and directed by Stuart Ross, who created the long-run Forever Plaid. Through Dec. 31, Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place; ( 312 ) 642-2000; $35-$48.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular—Santa's helpers—not even the gay ones—have never been more curvaceous and high-kicking than the Rockettes, who return for their seventh time to the Rosemont Theatre ( near O'Hare ) with a company of 100, among them dancing teddy bears and wooden soldiers and reindeer that actually fly. A lavish, dazzling musical spectacle for all ages, through Dec. 24; ( 312 ) 559-1212 ( Ticketmaster ) ; $24.50-$56.50.
Roasting Chestnuts: A Christmas Gina—An all-new installment of The Noble Fool's annual holiday escapade about singing diva Gina Oswald and her annual wrestling match with her cheer-overloaded family. This time, Gina abandons them all to open her own Las Vegas revue. Through Dec. 31, The Noble Fool at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa; ( 630 ) 584-6342; $27-$37 ( dinner and show packages also available ) .
The Santa Abductions—The first-ever holiday show from the Neo-Futurists, written by Sean Benjamin, features evil puppet elves and musical numbers in a tale of a boy betrayed who grows up to kidnap people in an attempt to create an authentic St. Nicholas. Doesn't sound like one for kiddies, does it? Through Dec. 23 at the Neo-Futurarium ( 5153 N. Ashland ) ; ( 773 ) 275-5255; $15.
The Santaland Diaries—These monologues about a department store elf, adapted from the writings of David Sedaris, quickly have become a national alternative holiday tradition and have been staged here by several theater troupes. Theater Wit offers them for the second year, with Joe Foust as the cynical Santa's Helper. Through Dec. 31 at Theatre Building Chicago; ( 773 ) 327-5252; $22-$24. Not for kids.
Screw X-Mas—The title is a warning to leave the kids at home unless they're really twisted little monsters. For the ninth year, Sweetback Productions offers a cabaret evening of sketches, monologues, improv, and songs with an edge. Through Dec. 23, Royal George Theatre; ( 312 ) 988-9000; $15. Not to be confused with Seasonal Disorder ( see below ) .
Seasonal Disorder—For the third year Chemically Imbalanced Comedy offers a cabaret evening of sketches, monologues, improv, and songs with an edge, late nights through Dec. 31; The Cornservatory ( 4210 N. Lincoln Avenue ) ; 773-865-7731; $10. Not to be confused with Screw X-mas ( see above ) .
The Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Revue—For the sixth year, the National Touring Company of The Second City returns to the Metropolis Centre in beautiful downtown Arlington Heights, just like the relatives who never leave, with a jaundiced sketch comedy look at family, holiday traditions and various seasonal songs and film favorites. Through Dec. 30; ( 847 ) 577-2121; $22-$27. Not for the kiddies.
Those Silly Reindeer—The title sounds like another campy gay show, but this is an original musical for family audiences about what happens when the Snow Princess goes on vacation, temperatures rise and the snow melts. In other words, Global Warming. Tickled by grass on their hooves, the reindeer threaten to strike. Weekend matinees only, through Dec. 18; Lakeshore Theatre ( Broadway at Belmont ) ; ( 773 ) 472-3492; $15.
