Why should local Jews just settle for Chinese food and a movie on Christmas Day? Sean Altman ( formerly of the vocal group Rockapella ) presents two performances of Jewmongous, an "unkosher" comedy show that looks askance at the travails of the modern-day Jew. Jewmongous plays 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln, Skokie. Tickets are $20; call 847-677-7761 or visit www.skokietheater.com . Photo of Sean Altman in Jewmongous courtesy of KFAR Jewish Arts Center and the artist
Critics' Pics
A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre, through Dec 31. Casting Chicago's foremost American Realism actor as Dickens' legendary unenlightened capitalist allows John Judd to display a greater emotional range than his predecessors in telling a story that could as easily be set on LaSalle Street and in Uptown as Victorian London. MSB
The Importance of Being Earnest, Remy Bumppo, through Jan. 9, 2011. Non-campy and low key, this is an self-assured production of Wilde's witty play, which both honors and sends up 19th-century society and the 19th-century well-made play. Great costumes, too. JA
Peter Pan ( A Play ) , Lookingglass Theatre, through Jan. 23, 2011. Before the super high-tech British tent version arrives in Chicago next year, catch this revisionist homegrown adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up. Yes, you can see all the ropes and harnesses for the flying effects, but it's still theatrically magical. SCM
Traces, Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place , through Jan. 1, 2011. Seven PG-wholesome ( but oh-so-sexy ) young gymnasts fly higher sans net, wires or sequins for 90 sweaty and thrilling minutes than all your standard-issue big-top tinkerbells. MSB
By Abarbanel, Barnidge
and Morgan
TimeLine presents 'In Darfur' Jan. 22
TimeLine Theatre Company will present the Chicago premiere of In Darfur by Winter Miller ( directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling ) Jan. 22-March 20, 2011 ( with previews Jan. 18-21 ) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington.
In a camp for internally displaced persons in Darfur, three lives intertwine: an aid worker trying to save lives, a Darfuri woman searching for safety and a journalist who believes that one front page-story can help stop the madness. Together they tell a story inspired by real life.
The cast of In Darfur features Tyla Abercrumbie, Kelli Simpkins, Gregory Isaac, Eddie Jordan III, Mildred Marie Langford, Brian-Alwyn Newland and Ebony Wimbs.
Tickets are $28 ( Wed. through Friday ) or $38 ( Saturday and Sunday ) ; preview tickets are $18. Call the box office at 773-281-8463 or visit www.timelinetheatre.com .
'Kiss' opens Feb. 4
The Kiss Kiss Cabaret, a Chicago-based neo-vaudeville, burlesque cabaret, has announced its debut at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, for an open run of weekly performances.
The open run starts Friday, Feb. 4, 2011. The Kiss Kiss Cabaret Coquettes include members such as Siren Jinx, Jolie Roberson, Miss Kiss Kiss and Naughty Natanya.
Tickets are $15. See www.KissKissCabaret.com .
Beatles tribute Feb. 8-13 at Oriental
RAINA Tribute To The Beatles, will run live at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, for a limited one-week engagement Feb. 8-13, 2011.
RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, including songs the Beatles recorded in the studio but never performed for an audience.
Individual tickets are $35-$65. A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box office locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com .
Five chosen in gay play contest
Five new plays featuring GLBT characters or themes have been selected as the finalists in the first Great Gay Play Contest sponsored by Pride Films and Plays. All five scripts will be performed in a festival of staged readings March 3-6, 2011 at the Hoover-Leppen Theater at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted.
The five finalists are: False Reality by Joe Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Calif.; Learn to be Latina by Enrique Urueta, San Francisco, Calif.; Save the Date by Tyler Dean, Chicago; Short Expanse by Corinne J. Kawecki, Chicago; and The Times by Mark S. Watson, Key West, Fla.
For more information, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com .