Two weeks ago, we offered our list of holiday season shows that are naughty. This week, we bring you a list of shows that are nice, pitched to families with 'kids of all ages,' as the ads like to say. Also in this issue, check the Dancin' Feats column for a rundown on holiday-themed dance events including several versions of The Nutcracker.
__________________
Black Nativity. Photo by Michael Brosilow
__________________
Prices quoted are for regular adult tickets. Discounts frequently are available for kids, seniors and card-carrying elves on R&R. Venue addresses are given only if the producing theater company and the venue name are different. In addition to ordering by phone, you can purchase tickets by e-mail, at the theater box office or often at a discount through the League of Chicago Theatres Hot Tix program. Check online at www.chicagoplays.com . Remember, too, that many family-friendly shows offer additional matinees over the holiday weeks.
Black Nativity, Congo Square Theatre Company, through Dec. 30. For the fourth year, Congo Square presents this elaborate gospel reworking of Langston Hughes' setting of the Nativity as an African-American folk tale. It's not short and it verges on church service, but it sure delivers a bulging Christmas stocking of great music, dance and costume. At the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn; 312-443-3800; $40.
Blue Nativity, Quest Theatre Ensemble, through Jan. 1. For the sixth year, Quest Theatre takes its unique, charming and free nativity pageant—featuring live music and oversized puppets—to venues across Chicago, suggesting ancient traditions of mummery, mime and music. Locations and times vary ( St. Mary of the Woods Church, Dec. 14; St. Barnabas Catholic, Dec. 16; St. Teresa's of Avila, Dec. 22, etc. ) . For full info: www.questensemble.org or 312-458-0895.
A Charlie Chaplin Christmas, Silent Theatre Company, Dec. 7-Jan. 6. Inspired by Chaplin's universally-known Little Tramp character, and drawing on Chaplin's films and music ( did you know he was a composer, too? ) , this original mostly-silent show borrows vaudeville performing styles to tell the tale of the Tramp and his companions on the eve of a poverty-stricken holiday season. Chicago Cultural Center Studio Theater, 66 E. Randolph; 312-742-8497; $20.
A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre, through Dec. 29. The Mother of All Xmas Carol productions returns for the 30th year, this time with a brand-new Scrooge in splendid veteran actor Larry Yando. Former Scrooge William Brown directs. As ever, the Goodman version is a lavish, full-length production boasting a large cast, music and dance. Sometime during the run, someone will purchase the one millionth ticket for the show and receive a special prize. 312-443-3800; $20-$70.
A Christmas Carol, Metropolis Centre ( Arlington Heights ) , through Dec. 24. This is the Metropolis Centre's sixth annual staging of the holiday classic, but with a new director, choreographer and 30-person cast this year. There's song, dance and a children's chorus from nearby schools. 847-577-2121; $27.
A Christmas Carol, Writers' Theatre, Glencoe, Dec. 19-23 only. For the 12th year, Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam performs a reading of the greatest ghost story ever written, for four performances only. No music, no dancing, no expurgations—just Dickens' original words and Halberstam's finest British voice. Suitable for mature kids. Performed at 325 Tudor Court; 847-242-6000; $30.
The Christmas Schooner, Bailiwick Arts Center, Dec. 18-19 only. The beloved annual schooner has sailed, but will make a port of call for two performances only in a concert version to benefit the American Brain Tumor Association and Bailiwick's Capital Campaign Fund. The warm-hearted original show—based on fact—tells the story of the German and Swiss immigrants who sailed schooners across Lake Michigan to deliver Christmas trees to Chicago in the late 19th Century. 773 883 1090; $25-$50.
A Christmas Story, Theater Wit, through Dec. 30. Gifted humorist Jean Shepherd's story of an Indiana Xmas, seen through the eyes of a boy, has become a cult classic in its delightful film version, inspiring this stage adaptation. Theater Wit offers its production for the first time, directed by James Pelton. At Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont; 773-327-5252; $15-$25.
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, Jam Theatricals, Dec. 26-31. OK, so this isn't at all a holiday show but it is a 'holiday engagement,' borrowing from the successful Cirque de Soleil formula of extravagant visual production, original music and dance, and all the circus acts you can imagine minus animals ( well, minus live animals ) . It's all set in an enchanted forest, er, jungle. At the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State; 312-902-1500; $20-$57.50.
Ebenezer, Village Players Theatre, Oak Park, Dec. 9-23. This original musical adaptation of You Know What ( hey, how many misers named Ebenezer do you know? ) returns by popular demand to the newly-remodeled Village Players, a mainstay of the performing arts in Oak Park. Among the large cast are two people named Rabinowitz but, hey, that's what acting is all about, right? 866-764-1010; $25.
The Hipmas Carol, Headcheese Fat Boss Productions, through Dec. 30. Can it actually be the eighth year for this hip and literate alternative holiday show? Inspired by the hippest cat of all ( except for The Naz ) , the late and great Richard Buckley, Lord of Hip Manor, this show is a jive, jazz, blues and beat retelling of Dickens' classic tale, performed by two actors and a guitarist. And, by the way, it isn't satire. At the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln; 773-935-6100; $22. Suitable for mature kids.
It's a Wonderful Life, American Theater Company, through Dec. 30. The sixth annual production of this great, 90-minute version of the classic Frank Capra movie, staged as an old-time live radio play complete with live sound effects, singing commercials and actors who double and triple in various roles as they bring Bedford Falls to life. Free milk and cookies after every performance. 773-929-1031; $40.
Princess Donkey-Head, A Christmas Tale, New World Repertory Theater ( Downers Grove ) , through Dec. 22. This world-premiere play by M. E. H. Lewis based on a Scottish folktale, Kate Krackernuts, comes to the Western burbs, which always remind me of lochs, highlands and men in skirts blowing pipes. This family show offers two princesses on a magical journey, a handsome prince under a spell and some puppets. 630-663-1489; $12-$20.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Annoyance Theater, through Dec. 29. The Annoyance has a strictly adult reputation, but this is a family-friendly aberration ( so they swear ) , based on the familiar and popular animated TV special. 773-561-4665; $15. Don't confuse this show with the 'naughty' Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer at Bailiwick.
Scrooge!, The Musical, Theatre at the Center, Munster, Ind., through Dec. 23. We'll admit this