A Christmas Carol, Goodman, through Dec. 27. For Year 27 of this event, director Kate Buckley winnows the text to a neat two hours, but misses none of the warmth, magic or power of Dickens’ ageless fable of human error and redemption. If you haven’t met this holiday classic recently, now is the time to renew your acquaintance. (Barnidge)
James Joyce’s The Dead, Court Theatre, through Dec. 28. This unlikely combo of a James Joyce short story and musical comedy is a holiday winner; an intensely emotional tale of love and perceived betrayal, set at a turn-of-the-last century Dublin Xmas party, peppered with a haunting score of authentic-sounding Irish music. (Abarbanel)
The Man from Nebraska, Steppenwolf, through Jan. 18. Tracy Lett’s lovely drama about a Midwesterner’s crisis of faith and journey of self-discovery is quiet; but there’s power and truth in its silences. Bravura performances, innovative staging, and unforced poignancy make this work resonate. (Reed)