It’s the time of year when numerous city and suburban theater, dance and musical organizations suspend their regular programming in order to offer spectacular, warm-hearted and ecumenical holiday entertainment in keeping with the giving spirit of the season. Such holiday entertainment just happens to make a mint at the box office. That’s the giving part: you give to them. Oh, well, if you’re gonna’ shop ’til you drop, you may as well spend a few bucks on live entertainment, too.
Holiday productions cover the waterfront from traditional and familiar stories to alternative interpretations of what the holidays are all about. Many offer extra matinees during the school vacation weeks, which might be important for those with rugrats of their own, or hosting rugrat visitors. Keep in mind, though, that not all shows are suitable for all ages and tastes. Call ahead for details and ticket availability.
Also, Season of Concern stages its annual public campaign at this time of year, with cast members of many Chicago-area theaters collecting voluntary donations as you leave. Season of Concern is the Chicago theater community’s red ribbon charity, providing humanitarian assistance (vs. medical research funding) to persons living with AIDS, and to organizations which assist them.
TRADITIONAL…MORE OR LESS
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, through Dec. 30; $40-$50 ($10 off for kids under 12) ; 312-443-3800. This is the Mother of All Christmas Shows, now in its 22 year, but with an all-new production in the brand.new Goodman Theatre Center. A full-length show loaded with special effects, it’s suitable for adults and kids, but not toddlers.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, through Dec. 27, $6.50; 630-530-8300. A one-act musical version suitable for younger children, adapted and directed by artistic director Ray Frewen, with a matinee every morning. Bargain-priced tickets.
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont, through Dec. 30, $15 (kids through 16) -$30; 773-883-1090. A new holiday classic, presented for the seventh time; a truly original musical…based on fact…about how Xmas trees used to come to Chicago and the brave sailing families that brought them here. Plenty of heart, but bittersweet as well, and not a show for toddlers. Note: Naked Boys Singing also is running at Bailiwick, so make sure you enter the right theater. We wouldn’t want anyone to mistake a naked boy for a mast.
HANS BRINKER, Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont, through Dec. 30, $16 (kids) -$24, 773-327-5252. The sixth annual staging of a family friendly musical version of the ever-popular book, set in mid-19th Century Holland, a land of wooden shoes, clay pipes, baggy pants and silver skates, of course. Four matinees weekly, plus weekend shows at 5:30 p.m.
LA POSADA MAGICA, Transplant Theatre at the Athenaeum Studio 2, 2936 N. Southport (St. Alphonsus Church), through Dec. 30, $12-$15; 773-935-6860. The second annual staging of a musical by Octavio Solis and Marcos Loya, that uses live guitar accompaniment and masks in the Latin tradition of playing out Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter in Bethlehem.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green (just West of Halsted at Chicago Avenue), through Dece. 30, $35-$55; 312-327-2000. Congratulations! You’ve selected the most expensive non-musical holiday show in town; a live stage adaptation of the classic 1947 movie about a little girl and a department store Santa named Kris Kringel. It sports a cast of 22 and direction by hot-button young Chicagoan David Cromer. There are three matinees each week, plus evening shows.
THE OTHER CINDERELLA, Black Ensemble Theatre, 4520 N. Beacon, through Dec. 31, $30; 773-769-4451. Take Cindy, make her African-American and stick her in The Projects in Chicago. This musical treatment of the rags-to-pumpkins story is the most successful show in the troupe’s 25-year history, and has become an annual event.
NON-TRADITIONAL
A DYSFUNCTIONAL HOLIDAY REVUE, Second City at the Metropolis Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights, through Dec. 31, $17 (higher Dec. 31) ; 847-577-2121. This second annual presentation promises parodies of holiday film classics, improvised Xmas carols, satire of suburban family gatherings and a spoof of Joseph and Mary. Well, that just about covers the waterfront.
A MOUNT RUSHMORE CHRISTMAS, Zeppo Theatre Company at the Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Dec. 7-16, $10; 312-458-9877. Prolific playwrights George Brant and Paige Coffman team to tell the musical tale of a scandalous Xmas at Mt. Rushmore, centered around Gutzon Borglum, the visionary artist who carved the presidents’ faces in the mountainside. Guaranteed NOT to be historically accurate.
RUDOLPH, THE RED-HOSED REINDEER, Sweetback Productions at Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont, through Jan. 5, $15-$18; 773-327-5252. Freshly updated for 2001, this is Sweetback’s oft-told tale of a brave little transvestite reindeer, struggling against an evil Santa and fascistic Christmas. And it’s a musical, to boot! Just think Sean Hayes with horns…oops! antlers. NOTE: leave the kids at home unless they’re already twisted.
12 STEPS OF CHRISTMAS, Bijou, 1349 N. Wells, Dec. 7-22, $10; 312-409-8100. Eric Hensley…director, artiste and alter ego of Miss Tiger…creates yet another original character in this holiday musical revue. This time, Mr. Hensley is Olivia the Retard. With a name like that, one shouldn’t expect this late night show to be politically correct. NOTE: leave the kids at home unless they’re already twisted.
MUSIC AND DANCE SPECTACLES
THE NUTCRACKER, Joffrey Ballet Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress, through Dec. 23, $29-$69; 312-902-1500 (Ticketmaster). A lavish and spectacular rendition of the great classic ballet by Tchaikovsky, in which a nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who does battle with the Mouse King. This annual production was supervised by the late Robert Joffrey. Pricey, but considered a worthwhile once-in-a-childhood treat.
RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, through Dec. 29, $24.50-$54.50; 312-559-1212 (Ticketmaster). It’s high-kicks and high heels, and we don’t mean two-stepping at Charlie’s. We mean the fifth annual visit of THE ROCKETTES along with dancing teddy bears, wooden soldiers, flying reindeer, rapping elves and more in a 90-minute musical revue to dazzle toddlers, kids and adults alike. Matinees almost every day.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, through Jan. 13, $35-$48; 312-988-9000. The only thing Xmasy about this is a boy in swaddling clouts. We hear Brian Lane Green as Joseph looks good in a loin cloth and can sing, too. Well, at least the show is vaguely biblical (although you won’t find God mentioned even once!) and a fun family song-and-dance event presented in an intimate venue.
SUI GENERIS AND SPIRITUAL
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan; 800-223-7114. WELCOME YULE!, Dec. 14-17, $12-$52; members of the CSO and CSO Chorus in traditional holiday music, suitable for kids 5 and up. Also, THE NUTCRACKER REVISITED, Dec. 21-22, $5-$75; Maestro Daniel Barenboim. leads the CSO in excerpts from Tchaikovsky paired with jazz versions of the same music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
DAVENPORT’S, 1383 N. Milwaukee, 773-278-1830. You don’t think a clever gnome like Bill Davenport would forget The Holidays, do you? The entire month is devoted to seasonal music and comedy, both traditional and contemporary, by a slew of top artists including Colleen McHugh and Miriam Plotkin, Dan Stetzel, the Foiled Again trio, the Weird Sisters trio, Jared Leal, Dina Joy Byrd and the always show-stopping Felicia Fields. Cover charges, $10-$15. Call for schedule details.
HOLLIS RESNIK IN CONCERT, Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis (University of Chicago campus), Dec. 15 only, $25; 773-753-4472. Just about the only diva Davenport’s hasn’t snatched is Jefferson Award winning leading lady Hollis Resnik…Fantine in Les Miserable, the title role in Mame…who will deliver her favorite songs in a special concert at the intimate Court Theatre, where she’s a resident artist.
MUSICA CELESTIS: TOWARD THE NIGHT, Performing Arts Chicago as St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron, Dec. 18 only, $25; 773-722-5463. An interfaith celebration of Hebrew, Christian and Buddhist seasonal traditions with music by the American Concerto Orchestra, plus readings, mediations and chants. Wouldn’t it be appropriate if they added something about Islam and Ramadan, too.
WINTER PAGEANT, Redmoon Theater at Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Dec. 7-16, $9 (except Dec. 9 benefit, $35) ; tickets at door. The 10th annual seasonal spectacular by this award-winning puppet, mask and music troupe offers a different universal and timeless tale each year. This year’s telling is that of an old woman who prepares an elaborate feast to awaken the sun; a true solstice story.