Amahl and the Night Visitors tells the story of how a crippled young shepherd boy's life is changed forever when he sees an amazing star in the sky. When Amahl and his mother encounter three kings following the star in their search for a wondrous child, the result is a timeless and inspiring message of how faith, charity, and unselfish love can work miracles. This production will be directed by Francis Menotti, based on his father's original 1951 production. A 20 minute program of Christmas carols, sung by the children’s chorus, will begin each performance.
Did you really want to sit through yet another version of Christmas ghosts? Or would you rather wait for the Christmas coming of 'The Weed Guy", the holiday hope of three lonely Lincoln Parkers? Watch Nancy Drew and chums solve the biggest Christmas caper of all time! Or maybe the tale of an Elf balloon sexually harassing a Hello Kitty during the annual department store parade is more your cup of eggnog? All these and more holiday delights await you in ARFTCo's Christmas New Play Festival.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever focuses on the unruly, ill-behaved children of the Herdman family who decide to take over the town’s church and Christmas pageant one Sunday. The Herdman children, who have never heard the Christmas story before, are cast in the pageant against the advice of fellow church members. The Christmas pageant is the most unusual one that the town has seen, but quite possibly the best one ever.
Burlesque Is More is a holiday-themed burlesque show modeled after the very popular and very racy Burlesque/Improv show “Late Night Tit-Bits.” Combining the sexiness of burlesque with the hilarity of quality improv, the only thing more sparse than the clothing are the paper-thin plots - just the way it oughta' be.
A musical comedy set in a TV studio during the holiday season in 1968. Chad Morton is a Hollywood star who is past his prime. In the Fifties he was a pop singer, which turned him into a respected TV star during the Sixties who played to the two-martini crowd. But the ratings on his annual Christmas special have been dropping and the Network is forcing him to feature young artists on the show to boost the ratings, while Chad would rather surround himself with the more mature singers and comedians he has performed with for years. The network engages a young rock star, a country western singer and go-go dancers to make Chad’s Christmas special hip.
A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly old man, who receives a Christmas Eve visit from the ghost of his partner, Jacob Marley, warning him to mend his selfish ways. During the night three spirits appear before Scrooge, showing him visions of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future, finally revealing the possible results of his unloving, uncaring life. He promises to change as he's not the man he was. This all time favorite play with music is a holiday treat for the whole family.
Based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol is the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is opposed to holiday cheer and indifferent to the sufferings of the poor in Victorian London. Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who offer him the opportunity to sympathize with his fellow man. Dickens' famous characters include Scrooge's kind-hearted clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family, including Tiny Tim; the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future; the merry-making Fezziwig couple; and the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Throughout its history at the Goodman, over 1 million people have experienced A Christmas Carol and the production has hosted six directors, seven Scrooges, 27 Tiny Tims, and nearly 20,000 "Bah, Humbug!"s.
Metropolis freshens up its holiday production, of the traditional family tale written by Charles Dickens, with adaptation by Krista Scott and musical arrangements by George Maurer. Don’t miss Tiny Tim, the Cratchit family and everyone’s favorite old miser Scrooge in this fun, bright, musical retelling of the beloved holiday tale. It’s perfect for the whole family.
This holiday classic visits our stage with a few "ghostly" surprises and an abundance of music and holiday fun. This adaptation by Romulus Linney brings the classic holiday story to life on the stage. It follows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's fateful Christmas Eve journey from an embittered, ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of four spirits who show him what life means. The amazing redemption of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is sure to touch and inspire audiences of all ages with holiday magic.
This lavish musical theatre production is bursting with pageantry, laughter, gorgeous costumes and classic lines. This Dickens’ tale has delighted audiences across America by artfully combining elements of spectacle, music and dance. Audiences of all ages are transported on a magical journey right alongside Ebenezer Scrooge.
Under the direction of Sherry Winchester Schultz, the Riverfront’s version of A Christmas Carol has become a tradition for not only the playhouse, but for many of the actors who frequently revive their portrayals from year to year, as well as many area families who return time and again to relive the unique and sometimes heart-warming but always hilarious retelling of the Dickens’ classic.
There are many adaptations of A Christmas Carol out there, but there's only one Broadway version! The whole family will enjoy this musical version of Charles Dickens' classic story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim, originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at Madison Square Garden. With a book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the stunning score tugs at the heartstrings and is sure to put everyone into a holiday mood!
his holiday season, the Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences presents A Christmas Carol, The Musical. It is the endearing combination of a treasured tale with the soaring music by a Disney musical genius - and the result is breathtaking. Composer Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) infuses the Dickens holiday classic with music the whole family will cherish.
The Christmas Schooner has quickly become a beloved Chicago holiday classic, a wonderful look at families and traditions. This holiday classic tells the story of Peter and Alma Stossel, whose pioneering spirit is full of the energy and dreams of America in the 19th century. With the help of Peter's young son Karl, and the companionship of his father, Gus, from the old country, Peter decides to take Christmas Trees from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan across the icy waters to post-fire Chicago.
Celebrate the holiday season with the company that brought you Chicago's original Ruth Page Nutcracker ballet. This family tradition continues to bring magical holiday joy to children of all ages.(Post-show Sugar Plum Party is available for an additional $10 - call the box office for more information.)
Along with the Cockette's famous 8-headed sweater routine, there will be a series of special guest appearances. This show will have it all from the “Living Nativity” to the culminating performance delivered by a soaring “Big Man” Kringle. You do not want to miss this. A welcome antidote to the saccharin taste that the holidays leave in your mouth - come join us for a spectacular evening. And who knows - there might be a live camel.
A Beautiful Christmas Love Story as only the dark minds of Dream Theatre can present it. Loneliness, disappointment, prescription drugs and lots and lots of eggnog. Two miserable people, who are always alone on Christmas, somehow find one another and fall in love.
In this high energy holiday romp, based off a fictional Christmas Special that never was, audiences will be treated to a star-studded tribute to the classic Andy Williams Christmas Specials of the 70s. This one of kind variety show spectacular features the kind of star power that only ‘Ziggy Stardust’ can command. This year, character appearances by Mick Jagger, Annie Lennox, Iggy Pop, Marianne Faithfull, Paul Lynde and Charo are just the tip of the iceberg; a special appearance by the Ghost of Freddy Mercury will remind us all of the joy of brotherhood and spirit of giving that the holiday and Solstice season brings. And when the mysterious Bizarro Bowie appears to reveal his jaded past, it’s a race for time to save the holidays from the ultimate universal implosion. Although, with so many celebrities on board, what could possibly go wrong?
EP THEATER presents an evening of new original holiday works by three of Chicago's most exciting new playwrights, complimented by live holiday covers by some of Chicago's finest musical groups. The three Original One Act Holiday Plays are by Scott T. Barsotti, Shawn Pfautsch, and Andrew Burden Swanson.
Three Clowns welcome the audience into a musical celebration of action-based performance and improvisation that would make Fezziwig proud, complete with a holiday toast, gift-giving and original live music written by John Fournier. A three-piece band cranks out Fournier’s songs of family, commercialism and peace on earth, while the Clowns clamor through their holiday party in search of the meaning of Christmas.
Fluctuating between 1905 and 2005, the play follows a mischievous and spirited elf that, after having fallen short on a few promises, receives an order from Prancer to learn about giving by helping a poor young couple find and purchase Christmas gifts for one another. Mixed with modern humor and references, this new adaptation of a holiday classic is heartwarming, funny and perfect for the whole family.
This two-night-only cabaret will feature Chicago’s top music theatre divos and divas -- including Ross Lehman, Susan Moniz and Hollis Resnik -- performing holiday classics. It will be directed by David H. Bell, associate professor of music theatre and an award-winning professional director, and co-hosted by Cindy Gold, associate professor of theatre in Northwestern’s School of Communication and professional actor, and Chicago actor, singer, dancer and comedian Bernie Yvon.
Relieve the stress of the holiday season with the misfit characters of "Holy $#!%, it's Christmas! Where did Jesus Go? In the fourth installment of this hit sketch comedy revue, Jack Frost pitches his own reality show, Mrs. Claus plans a sexy night for Santa, and Tiny Tim pledges a fraternity. You'll forgive yourself for not making it to church, you'll never forgive yourself for missing Holy $#!%, it's Christmas!
Come join Independent Stars as we bring your loved Christmas carols to life! Carols, Dancing, and a Live Nativity are sure to warm your heart and spread Christmas cheer!
Dorchester Nebraska, population 700, is being hit hard by the tough economy. People are loosing jobs, and business are being closed. When ten year old Annie Mitchell finds out her town Community Center is going to close she decided to stage the BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER to save her town. All she needs is a big name celebrity to star in it. After she tries fan websites, and calls to managers she makes a Youtube video plea to get Nebraska born native Nick Nolte to be in the play. The video becomes an overnight viral sensation and Annie becomes the Celebrity needed to save her small town. She stars in the pageant she wrote "It Came Upon a Midnight Queen", the birth, life and death of Jesus inspired by the music of Queen. But is an internet star a big enough name to make the $10,000 needed to save her town? Find out in this hilarious and wild new holiday show.
The classic story, based on the 1946 Frank Capra masterpiece is performed as a period radio play complete with commercial breaks. The same creative team who brought this classic piece to Chicago audiences for six years once again brings the town of Bedford Falls to life, this time with a new adaptation at the new Victory Gardens Studio.
Bedford Falls. 1948. ATC transforms into a 1940’s radio studio to tell Capra’s classic story of one man’s affect on his community. This year ATC brings new life to this holiday tradition with a new cast, new Foley sound, and new scenes. Free milk and cookies are served after every show.
Mark & Laura's Couples Advice Christmas Special is a satire based on T.V.'s self proclaimed counseling gurus and the dysfunctional American family. Will Mark & Laura’s volatile relationship get in the way of their primetime debut or will Christmas be officially over?
In a new holiday tradition, Porchlight Music Theatre presents a world-premiere production based on the classic story Miracle on 34th Street. When a white-bearded gentleman claims to be the real Santa Claus he brings about a genuine ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ spreading a wave of love throughout New York City, convincing a divorced, cynical single mother, her somber daughter, and the entire state of New York that Santa Claus is no myth.
Someone stole Santa's List! Join Mrs. Claus and the new Elf Class of 2009 as they try to find the missing List in time for Christmas. Will Mrs. Claus save the day? This CKC original, now in it’s eleventh year, has become a holiday tradition for families and schools throughout the Chicago community. This show is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit in no time! Recommended for kids aged 2 – 12.
Set in French Guiana, a region where on Christmas Eve the temperature has graciously dropped to 104 degrees, three amiable convicts are employed as roofers above the Ducotel's general store. The roof winds up being the least of the family's troubles. On the way from France is Henri - an evil-minded cousin and owner of the flailing store, and his nephew Paul - who recently jilted the Ducotel's fanciful young daughter. The three warm-hearted convicts are passionate believers in true justice, and decide it's their job to take the visitors on as they plot to set matters right. A captivating and comedic holiday treasure also known as "We're No Angels."
The yuletide season really is the most wonderful time of the year, especially when The Flaming Dames return to spike your eggnog with their brand new holiday themed burlesque revue, Naughtier & Nicer. This December, the Dames will fill your stockings with a combination of song and dance that would even put a smile on the face of Ebenezer Scrooge. From holiday classics to naughty originals, the ladies are gift wrapping their signature dance steps along with their sultry voices as part of a cabaret and burlesque extravaganza. It’s sure to light a fire next to your tree and keep you warm all winter long.
This timeless Nutcracker tale comes alive on horseback. This unique production features a dreamy young girl, a magic prince, a mysterious old man, and a cast of beautiful horses. The Nutcracker on Horseback captures the whimsy and magic of Tchaikovsky's original.
The Nutcracker Sings! features a singing and dancing cast of 26 including a Children’s Chorus of 12 kids from all over the Chicagoland Area. JPAC describes the show as “A hilarious family-friendly musical based on the timeless classic. Join Clara and the Nutcracker as they fight the evil Rat Queen and her army of mice to save Christmas!”
Robert Joffrey’s uniquely American production of The Nutcracker, based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s early 19th century German tale, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," premiered in 1987, and has become a Chicago holiday favorite since its first performance here in 1996. This distinctly original production of the holiday chestnut combines classical elegance with thrilling explosive action, set amidst lavish period costumes and spectacular scenery depicting Victorian America in the 1850s. Snowflakes and flowers dance into our hearts, as toys come joyfully to life amidst familiar characters such as Clara; her mischievous brother, Fritz; the King and Queen of the glorious Land of Snow; the Sugar Plum Fairy; the warring Mice led by the Mouse King; the Nutcracker Prince; and the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer.
Salt Creek Ballet with the Chicago Youth Symphony. Enjoy our traditional holiday presentation filled with swirling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, giant mice and sugar plum fairies.
Taking its source material from ETA Hoffman's tale and the famous ballet, A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas remixes the story for a whole new generation of theatergoers. This new spin follows Fritz, a video game obsessed boy, and a heroic female Nutcracker as they chase down and stop the dastardly Mouse King from ruining Christmas. Suited for families with children ages 3 and up.
The Forever Plaid four part harmony group returns thanks to a heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney! The heaven-sent boys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx, and Frankie) are back to sing songs of the 30's, 40's, 50's, and a "Plaid-erized" version of Christmas specials to fulfill their mission of creating a little harmony in a troubled world. Includes a hilarious tribute to the Ed Sullivan Christmas Spectaculars featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks, The Vienna Boys Choir and more!
Come watch Rudolph freak his parents out with his glowing nose. Have a blast watching Rudolph and Hermie being shunned from their respective societies because they are “different.” Scratch your head at the Island of Misfit Toys, and rejoice as Rudolph saves the day in the end. Of course, because it's the Annoyance, there will be special touches that you won't find anywhere else.
Chicago's favorite cross-dressing reindeer is back for its 12th year. Remount of David Cerda's parody of the classic children's television special "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
A collection of sketch comedy and improvisation from Second City and iO actors, “Santa’s Great American Depression Holiday Show! America 2: Son of Santa’s Great American Depression Holiday Show! America” is an entirely original sketch comedy revue about the words in it's title.
Most people in America experience the holidays with a flurry of activity, surrounded by Christmas presents and a loving family watching It's A Wonderful Life. An annual alt-Christmas favorite, The Santaland Diaries is the more unconventional, but always hilarious story of David, a struggling young writer who takes a job as an elf at Macy's and struggles to maintain his dignity. As Christmas Day draws nearer, David grows increasingly weary and bitter as he is forced to deal with the humiliations of elf training, obnoxious customers, and badly cast Santas. Will our hero find the Christmas spirit before it is too late? Probably not.
The Holidays: it’s the season of joy and giving, the time to deck the halls and gather with your family to fight about who mom and dad love most as you hack into Aunt Rose’s burnt turkey. Let’s face it, no holiday gathering is perfect. But now, The Second City is here to make light of every holiday misstep, whether it’s making up your own “creative” words to traditional carols or a disgruntled elf ruining the North Pole’s Christmas party. This seasonal satire is the perfect addition to your dysfunctional holiday traditions.
In it's fourth year, Shantz Theatre has quickly become a tradition in Off-Loop holiday comedy experiences! Obama can't save grandma and the nation, George Bailey gets the Bernie Madoff treatment, Frosty's all out of love, and Bob Dylan revisits his Hanukkah heritage! This show will have you laughing all the way into the holidays!
Santa's elves are plotting a revolution, a killer just escaped from prison and is hitching her way home, the Reingold daughter has gone missing, & Archibald Tuck is one murderously disgruntled employee. These stories and more are all about to experience their own nightmarishly twisted holiday miracle. Bringing you joy whether you want it or not! Come experience all the tragically comedic fun this holiday season at The Annoyance.
Ho ho hope you like to sing! Santa and his surprisingly musical crew of elves are here to lead an interactive holiday experience. There's singing, sitting on Santa's lap, and even bags of goodies for the kiddies (naughty and nice).
Warm storytelling, amazing puppetry and Michael Smith's magical score combine for a wild ride into Hans Christian Andersen's beloved winter tale. Returning are Tony-winning director Frank Galati, master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co., choreographer Jim Corti, as well as veteran cast and band members. A delight for kids eight and up, Smith's wickedly funny lyrics and sophisticated songs of the heart equally engage adults of all ages.
Break out the eggnog and the leggings! MidTangent Productions presents its spectacle sequel Snow White and the Drag Queen who Stole X-Mas, a holiday extravaganza in two acts on the Hydrate Nightclub stage. Come experience this drag-tastic mash-up of holiday specials. Snow White and her Seven Drag Queens are belting out live some of your favorite chestnuts roasted over a draggy fierce fire! Our story of Snow White continues as Madame Grinch sets out to steal X-Mas from our family of queens. Emily Rogers stars as Snow White, who Chicago Reader describes as “redefining fierce in Boystown.” Set in the heart of Halsted, this musical fuses storefront fringe theater with danceclub decadence. As we shift into Act II, the ferocious fun explodes as our Family of Queens brings down the house with their ever-changing Ever After Show.
The internationally renowned Australian singing group The Ten Tenors returns to Chicago for the holidays, featuring songs from their new album Nostalgica as well as holiday classics. The Ten Tenors captures the intimacy between themselves and the audience during live performances, whilst invoking nostalgic memories of people, places or times in history, with songs ranging from Mexican bestsellers to post-war classics to jazz, including “Granada,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and the Louis Armstrong classic “What A Wonderful World.” Also included is their all-time, most requested song, Irish favorite, “Danny Boy,” and “Besame Mucho.”
Join Jack the Bird and LeeLee the Christmas Tree as they set out on an adventure to find Holli the Snow Princess to save Christmas. This musical for families continues Li'l Buds' tradition of casting professional actors and children together to create a high quality theatrical experience that speaks to kid and adult audiences alike.
Inspired by the timeless poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and by the real life of its author, Clement Moore, this hilarious musical introduces Santa in a particularly beneficent light.
Based on the tremendous critical and artistic success of last years Chicago premiere and in the spirit of other’s Christmas Carol and Santaland Diaries, the Pageant is back. With many of the original cast members as well as new faces on stage, this year promises to be hugely entertaining, surprisingly enlightening and just a bit disturbing. An anonymous company of merry children gather on a cold winter night to rejoice in telling the story of Scientology founder and hero L. Ron Hubbard. This satirical musical explores the magic of Dianetics, the fascinating E-meter, the immortal Thetans, and the entrancing story of Xenu with the straightest of faces.
A jubilant cast of children celebrates the life of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the controversial religion, in uplifting pageantry and song. The actual teachings of The Church of Scientology are explained and dissected against the candy-colored backdrop of a traditional nativity play. Avant-garde performance art and children's theater meet in a musical that the New York Times called "...A spooky, sharp-toothed smile of a show... a halo of hipness and daring," while the Los Angeles Times hailed it as "An instant cult classic." Winner of the 2004 OBIE Award for Outstanding Musical.
Direct from co-starring as "Grandma" in the new musical, The Addams Family, acclaimed New York comedic actress (and hilarious holiday-hating Hebrew) Jackie Hoffman will debut her Whining in the Windy City: Holiday Edition, a no-holds-barred original musical comedy rant about showbiz, not-so-charming children, and of course the holidays
Winter Pageant 2009 will take audiences on a visual, dream-like journey that explores collective universal themes: nature, humanity, ritual, storytelling, by creating a theatrical experience that's intimate and interactive, involving and inspiring spectators in a shared, live event. An event that is memorable both by critics (2008 Jeff Nominated Production) and by audience members (6,500 people over 6 weeks). This year's Winter Pageant will gradually reveal a fanciful journey for audience members through the four seasons beginning with summer, traveling through autumn and winter and culminating with the rising of the sun in spring.
