Dublin Carol, Steppenwolf Theatre, through Jan. 4. Heroes in Christmas Eve tales of redemption and rebirth range from Victorian financiers to Chicago cabbies. So why shouldn’t an Irish undertaker (played by the legendary and long-absent William Peterson) also find his salvation on this auspicious day? MSB
Grey Gardens, Northlight Theatre, through Dec. 28. Hollis Resnik is a both hilarious and touching as both guises of Edith Bouvier Beale in this clever and quirky musical adaptation of the 1975 cult documentary. The rest of the cast in this handsome production is no slouch either. SCM
Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Theatre Wit at Theatre Building Chicago, through Jan. 3. Remarkable actor and author Tom Mula performs a stage version of his magical Xmas tale of the afterlife and redemption of Scrooge’s ‘dead as a doornail’ partner. JA
Jarred: A Hoodoo Comedy, Teatro Luna, through Dec. 14. Based on interviews with women who use folk magic to help with everything from their careers to their sex lives, Tanya Saracho’s play about a woman casting spells to bring back her wayward boyfriend is funny, provocative and just a little bit scary. CS
—By Abarbanel, Barnidge, Morgan
and Sullivan