The Victorian Christmas providing the prototype for our rites today was accomplished with the assistance of a full-time cook, handyman and several maids. The humbler version—engineered solely by family members—still relied on a number of live-in participants. Is it any wonder that households striving for this ideal in 2004 fall prey to frustration, bickering and/or exhaustion? Going to a show is a break EVERYBODY can enjoy, however, and there are plenty to choose from:
GOOD WILL TOWARD ALL:
A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Through Dec. 26. At a time when 'enlightened capitalism' is a concept as forgotten as the word 'humbug', Kate Buckley's direction showcases the economic, as well as spiritual, roots of Dickens' fable. For information, phone ( 312 ) 443-3800.
A Christmas Carol, Provision Theater Company at the Chopin, 1543 W. Division St. Through Dec. 23. The folks who brought us last summer's charming Cotton Patch Gospel now present a world premiere adaptation by Timothy Gregory, featuring Brad Armacost as the miserly Scrooge. For information, phone ( 773 ) 506-4429.
A Christmas Carol, Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights. Through Dec. 26. It's the third year for this suburban production company, but the first for Krista Scott's adaptation, featuring Mark Douglas-Jones as Scrooge under the direction of Robin Hughes. For information, phone ( 847 ) 577-2121.
A Christmas Carol: A Radio Broadcast, The Hypocrites at the Athenaeum, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Through Jan. 2. Sean Graney's adaptation proposes a college deejay who decides, one night, to tell his pals the story of a stubborn existentialist bullied into seeing the light. For information, phone ( 773 ) 935-6860.
The Christmas Schooner, Bailiwick Repertory at the Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Through Jan. 2. How Captain Stossel brought the Christmas trees to Chicago over a century ago. It's the tenth anniversary for this native-born musical and David Zak's direction makes it shine like new. For information, phone ( 773 ) 883-1090.
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. Through Dec. 26. Chicago theatre pioneer Marty Higginbottom directs John Landry's adaptation of the Frank Capra movie classic, featuring Jim Leaming as George Bailey and John Sterchi on Foley Noises. For information, phone ( 773 ) 929-1031.
A Merry Jewish Christmas, Bailiwick Repertory at Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Through Jan. 2. When your Yiddisher parents never listen, anyway, how do you tell them that you're not only gay, but that your boyfriend is a gentile? For information, phone ( 773 ) 883-1090.
TINY TIM'S CORNER
If Children Remember, Unity In Chicago Center, 1925 W. Thome Ave. Opens Dec. 9, runs through Dec. 18. A holiday musical adapted from L. Frank Baum's The Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus, with book & lyrics by Ed Townley and music by Ed Tossing, featuring the master puppetry of Cynthia Von Orthal. For information, phone ( 773 ) 973-0007.
Cinderella, Emerald City Theatre Company at the Apollo, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Through Jan. 9. Charles Perrault's tale of a poor girl caught in the right place at the right time is given its premiere in this adaptation by resident wizards Steve Goers and Alyn Cardarelli. For information, phone ( 773 ) 935-6100.
Redmoon's Thirteenth Annual Winter Pageant, Redmoon Theater at Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard St. Through Jan. 2. Pagans have holidays, too—Redmoon recounts the solstice story of the giant-king who restores the sun to his darkened realm. For information, phone ( 312 ) 850-8440.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS
Blue Nativity, Quest Theatre Ensemble, various locations. Through Jan. 1. Marionettes as tall as trees bring the story of the first Christmas to churches of all denominations throughout the Chicago area. For information, phone ( 312 ) 458-0895.
American Dream Presents: The Story of X-mas, American Dream at the Playground, 3209 N. Halsted St. Through Dec. 18. A fully improvised survey of Christmas or 'any of the mid-winter holidays the audience might care to have explained'. For information, phone ( 773 ) 871-3793.
GRINCHY GIGGLES
The Santaland Diaries, Theater Wit at the Raven Studio, 6157 N. Clark St. Through Jan. 8. David Sedaris' one-man show recounting the trials of a department-store elf. For information, phone ( 773 ) 506-8150.
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, The Journeymen at Live Bait Theater, 3914 N. Clark St. Through Dec. 18. Scandal and sexual harassment at the North Pole. For information, phone ( 773 ) 857-5395.
Rudolph, The Red-Hosed Reindeer, Hell In A Handbag Productions at the Loop, 8 E. Randolph St. Through Dec. 31. The Reindeer Games all-stars are jocks, but Rudy likes to cross-dress. And that's just the start of his adventures. For information, phone ( 312 ) 744-5667.
Tiff & Mom And The Meaning Of The Magi Gift Mix-Up, Corn Productions at the Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave. Through Dec. 17. Rob Bouwman and Todd Schaner's mother-daughter drag act is as reliable as the holly and the fruitcake. For information, phone ( 312 ) 409-6435.
Inspecting Carol, Attic Playhouse, 410 N. Sheridan Rd. in Highwood. Through Dec. 19. 'I don't ride no shoulders!' snaps Tiny Tim in Dan Sullivan's satire on Political Correctness. For information, phone ( 847 ) 433-2660.
The Piñata Strikes Back, ¡Salsation! at Aguijon Theater, 2707 N. Laramie Ave. Through Dec. 18. Sketch/improv and a chance to brush up on your Spanglish. For information, phone ( 312 ) 670-8496.
A Very Special Fa La La This Christmas, Hell In A Handbag Productions at the Loop, 8 E. Randolph St. Through Dec. 18. Holiday Monologues and an excuse to hang around downtown another hour or two. For information, phone ( 312 ) 744-5667.
Screw X-mas, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy at the Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave. Through Dec. 17. Songs, sketches, monologues and you can drink your own beer while you watch. For information, phone ( 773 ) 865-7731.
Cast On A Hot Tin Roof: A Dysfunctional Dixie Christmas, Quade Productions at the Royal George, 1641 N. Halsted St. Through Jan 1. Smartly improvised comedy parodies the plays of Tennessee Williams. For information, phone ( 312 ) 988-9000.
The Hipmas Carol, Frankie J's MethaDome, 4437 N. Broadway. Through Dec. 23. Tyler Bohne and Patrick Zielinski's Beat translation of the familiar story. For information, phone ( 773 ) 539-2915.
Roasting Chestnuts, Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St. in Saint Charles. Through Dec. 26. Whattaya know? A sketch/improv revue that spoofs all the OTHER holiday shows. For information, phone ( 630 ) 584-6342.
And to all a good night.
