Theater Spotlight
Joan Crawford ( or, at least, David Cerda in drag as Joan Crawford ) is back again this holiday season thanks to Hell in a Handbag Productions reviving its 2013 campy holiday musical Christmas Dearest. See Crawford take an Ebenezer Scrooge-like journey through Christmases past, present and future as the notoriously bitchy Hollywood legend gets in the spirit of the season while filming her latest MGM Biblical feature Oh Mary! Christmas Dearest continues through Wed., Dec. 30, at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Tickets are $22-$30; $40-$100 limited VIP seating with drink; call 800-838-3006 or visit www.handbagproductions.org for more information.
Critics' Picks
A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre, through Dec. 27. Playgoers have come to expect supporting characters cast across ethnic and gender lines since 1984, but a few audiences this season may notice a change of complexion in Scrooge himself. MSB
Elf, Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire, through Jan. 3. This 2010 film-to-stage musical adaptation of the popular 2003 Will Farrell holiday vehicle receives a superlative staging thanks to director/choreographer Marc Robin. The material comes off far better than it actually is. SCM
Palace of the Occult, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre at Prop Thtr, through Dec. 20. Real-life magician Neil Tobin's account of the Jewish celebrity whose bestie was a young Adolf Hitler makes for fascinating historical gossip, enhanced by magic illusions the author performs live on stage. MSB
You Can't Take it With You, Northlight Theatre, through Dec. 13. I have some bones to pick with this interpretation, but this famous play has a warm and generous heart and is more-than-capably performed by a wonderful cast of veteran actors. JA
By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan