LEFT: Black Nativity at Congo Square Theatre. MIDDLE: Pictured in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer directed by William Brown are Jonathan Weir (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Ryan Cowhey (Tiny Tim). At the Goodman's Albert Theatre, through Dec. 30, 2006. RIGHT: Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer, by Hell in a Handbag Productions at Bailiwick Repertory, through Dec. 30. _______
December is sugarplums-and-treacle time, a lost month for Stage Door Jonny during which almost every theater in town presents a holiday-themed show with the intention of creating a cash cow. The prodigious growth in the number of such holiday shows is evidence enough that the cows have come home indeed.
There are holiday shows for every taste: from traditional to contemporary; from plays to musicals; and revues to ballets. Most are family-friendly, but not all: There ARE shows that approach the holiday season with jaundiced fervor, so choose wisely. Herewith is Stage Door Jonny's comprehensive, alphabetized list of holiday shows. Those with special appeal for GLBT audiences are marked with an asterisk ( * ) . Many shows have special holiday matinees. Tickets prices vary widely.
Amahl and the Night Visitors—Commissioned by NBC in 1951, this ever-popular opera by gay composer Gian Carlo Menotti ( composer Samuel Barber's lover ) tells the story of a Nativity miracle and a visit by the Three Kings. Performed by the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra with outstanding singers; Dec. 15-17, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie; 847-673-6300.
*Barenaked Lads Save Christmas—Jonny isn't sure how dangling one's doodle saves Christmas, but this birthday-suited musical revue—a sequel to Barenaked Lads in the Great Outdoors—will show-and-tell us. Bailiwick Repertory, through Jan. 7; 773-883-1090; special New Year's Eve gala with food and champagne.
Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play—This is an African-American rendition of the Nativity, originally based on the 1961 play by the great, gay writer Langston Hughes, but is considerably altered in this version that adds a heavy dose of gospel church service along with inspiring music and lively dance. Congo Square Theatre Company, Duncan YMCA Chernin Center for the Arts, through Dec. 31; 312-587-2292.
Blue Nativity—The fifth edition of this puppet-and-mask Nativity, presented as a church processional pageant of yore. Running under an hour, it features live music and 10-foot tall puppets. All performances are free. Quest Theatre Ensemble, various city/suburban churches ( call ) , through Dec. 31; 312-458-0895.
A Child's Christmas in Wales—Well, it beats Jonah's Christmas in whales. Dylan Thomas' affectionate memoir of childhood is presented in voice and song in an hour-long program that concludes with holiday refreshments. Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Greenhouse; afternoon performances Dec. 9, 16 and 23 only; 773-244-8119.
Christmas As We Grow Older—This new seasonal entry looks at Christmas from an adult perspective in a literate blend of stories ( Mark Twain, Edna Ferber, P. G. Wodehouse, O. Henry and others ) and traditional songs, accompanied on piano, accordion, flute and guitar. City Lit Theater Company, through Dec. 24; 773-293-3682.
A Christmas Carol—Charles Dickens redux in a family-friendly, 70-minute musical version of the classic tale of ghosts, redemption and the generosity of the holiday spirit. TheatreworksUSA ( sic ) , Center for the Performing Arts at Governors State University, Dec. 17 only; 708-235-2222.
A Christmas Carol—It's Charles Dickens redux in a full-length, lavish version of the classic tale of ghosts, redemption and the generosity of the holiday spirit—the Mother of All Chicago Christmas Carols, this year featuring a new Ebenezer Scrooge, Jonathan Weir. Goodman Theatre, through Dec. 30; 312-443-3800.
A Christmas Carol—Once again, it's Dickens redux in a family-friendly version of the classic tale of ghosts, etc. Presented for the fifth year in Krista Scott's adaptation with live music, song and dance and a cast of 20. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights ( free parking ) , through Dec. 24; 847-577-2121.
A Christmas Carol—It's raining Dickens as artistic director Michael Halberstam renders his one-man dramatic reading of the original novella, a classic tale of ghosts, etc. The sonorous-voiced Halberstam will use his best clipped British accent at Writers' Theatre ( Glencoe ) , Dec. 20-22; 847-242-6000.
The Christmas Schooner—Now performed across the country, this locally-written story of 19th-century life on the Great Lakes is in its 12th and final voyage at the theater where it began; a heartwarming and bittersweet original holiday tale, based on fact. Bailiwick Repertory, through Dec. 31; 773-883-1090.
A Christmas Story—It's the stage adaptation of the surprise hit film. Written by the late, great humorist Jean Shepherd, it recalls his Northwest Indiana childhood in the 1940s. It's become an annual favorite in, of all places, northwest Indiana. Theatre at the Center ( Munster, Ind. ) , through Dec. 17; 219-836-3255.
*Do You Fear What I Fear?—Here's an updated, second edition of last year's GLBT hit promising twisted carols, lesbians finding their faith, circuit boys losing patience and Chicago losing Field's. GayCo and Annoyance Productions, Annoyance Theatre, through Dec. 21; 773-561-4665.
500 Clown Christmas—The city of Chicago brings back physical theater at its phinest, along with original songs, in an audience-interactive alternative holiday show written and performed by 500 Clown. Storefront Theater, through Jan. 6; 312-742-8497.
Frosty's Shake-N-Dogs—This new holiday musical for children concerns Jack Frost and his plan to steal the holiday spirit. The show has been written and produced by the creators of 2005's Those Silly Reindeer! Li'l Buds Theatre Company, Theatre Building Chicago, through Dec. 31; 773-327-5252.
Hansel und Gretel—It's not the Humperdinck opera often trotted out for Christmas, but an original non-musical version presented by a fictional theater troupe from Liechtenstein, the Kerplunk Players; a play-within-a-play suitable for kids four and up. Gorilla Tango Theatre, through Dec. 17; 773-598-4549. FYI: Gorilla Tango also is presenting shorter runs of two other holiday shows, Requiem for a Department Store and Have a Kung-Fu Christmas. Call.
The Hipmas Carol—It's now the seventh year for this combination of beat poetry, spoken word and rhymed couplets delivered to live blues underscoring, which gives Dickens redux an urban and contemporary edge. Apollo Studio Theater, through Dec. 23; 773-935-6100. A portion of the ticket price goes to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
*How the Diva Stole Christmas—Mr. Grinch may be mean, but so is Amy Armstrong who, accompanied by Freddy Allen, offers an anti-Christmas, after-hours holiday cabaret. No cute children or dancing Santas, but you'll hear The Twelve Drinks of Christmas and meet surprise guests ( Spider Saloff and Honey West among them ) . Lakeshore Theater, through Dec. 15; 773-472-3492.
It's a Wonderful Life—Frank Capra's treasured Hollywood movie is presented as a 90-minute radio play of the 1940s, complete with live sound effects and singing commercials. It's the fifth year for this pithy and warm adaptation, with Jim Leaming as all-around good guy George Bailey. American Theater Company, through Dec. 31; 773-929-1031.
It's a Wonderful Life—It's the Chicago premiere of the Broadway musical version of the evergreen movie about the collision between George Bailey's dreams and real life. Porchlight Music Theatre at Theatre Building Chicago, through Dec. 31; 773-327-5252.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus—Fantasist L. Frank Baum created more than the Land of Oz. Among his other works is this folkloric tale of Santa's personal history, beginning as a mortal orphan boy raised in an enchanted forest, who must discover both his humanity and his mission. The second annual production by Theatre Nebula at Cutting Hall ( Palatine ) , Dec. 14-17; 847-359-9378.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus—Button up your overcoat for this original adaptation of the Baum story, presented outdoors by a cast of 13 in an equivalent of Baum's enchanted forest. It's an easy hike from scene to scene of the show ( which moves indoors in bad weather ) . Theatre-Hikes at Morton Arboretum ( Lisle ) , through Dec. 17; 630-725-2066.
Meet Me in St. Louis—Everyone knows the Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien film, but few know the Broadway adaptation. The Trolley Song and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas are there, along with new songs written for Broadway, in this story about family, young love and World's Fair fever. Circle Theatre, through Dec. 30; 708-771-0700.
Mr. Punch's Holiday Show—Live music, mask play, puppetry, comedy and dance in an old-fashioned family variety show are presided over by Mr. Punch himself. It's a new entry among holiday shows. Piccolo Theatre, Evanston Arts Depot; Sat.-Sun. through Dec. 24; free-will donation at the door, no reservations needed.
A Nutcracker Christmas—The second annual presentation of this family musical based on E. T. A. Hoffman's holiday tale of the weird takes place. Be warned: Sweet little Clara is gone, replaced by mischievous Fritz, a boy left home alone on Christmas Eve, and presented with a toe-tapping kiddie rock score. Emerald City Theatre Company, Apollo Theatre, daytime shows only, through Dec. 31; 773-935-6100.
The Nutcracker and the King of Mice—There's a many-headed Mouse King that might actually frighten small children in this non-musical version of the classic story, which adheres more closely to the Hoffmann original than other adaptations. A wide variety of puppetry techniques are employed in this sophomore edition of the show. Incurable Theater, Chicago Cultural Center Studio Theater, through Jan. 7; 312-742-8497.
Roasting Chestnuts: Gina Wants You—Comic diva Gina Oswald has been asked to entertain overseas troops in a USO Christmas spectacular, and you're embedded with her! It's an all-new, third edition of the parody holiday show. Noble Fool Theatricals at the Pheasant Run Resort ( St. Charles ) , through Dec. 31; 630-584-6342.
*Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer—Sweet, misunderstood, cross-dressing Rudolph is back for the eighth year ( can you believe it? ) with all his odd friends in this musical parody that also features the Abominable Drag Beast and a gay elf ( like there is any other kind ) . Hell in a Handbag Productions at Bailiwick Repertory, through Dec. 30; 773-883-1090.
*The Santaland Diaries—Here is David Sedaris' series of monologues about a guy working as a department store elf, which certainly is a pretty queer set-up. Lance Stuart Baker, the astute actor who can be the perfect sad sack, portrays David the Elf for the fourth time in this one-person show. Theatre Wit at Theatre Building Chicago, through Dec. 30; 773-327-5252.
Seasonal Disorder—Seasonal Disorder is an all-new Christmas comedy in which Mom ships the kids to Grandma in Florida so she can spend time with Uncle Gary before he's sent to Joliet. Will Santa be able to find little Luke and Laura in Boca Raton? Chemically Imbalanced Comedy at the Cornservatory, through Dec. 28; 773-865-7731.
The Second City Dysfunctional Holiday Revue—Hey, the title pretty much says it all in the seventh edition of this annually-updated show offering seasonal satire at its best. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre ( sic ) , Arlington Heights, through Dec. 30; 847-577-2121.
The Snow Queen—This world premiere could be the next holiday classic. It is adapted by director Frank Galati, composer Michael Smith and designer Blair Thomas from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of lost children, witches and the Snow Queen with an icy kiss of death. Victory Gardens at the Biograph, through Jan. 7; 773-871-3000.
