BROADWAY IN CHICAGO (312) 902-1400, in celebration of their 10th anniversary season, opens the Broadway Playhouse, formerly Drury Lane Water Tower, with Traces extended until 1/1. The inaugural play, an international hit, performed by the French-Canadian Troup 7 Fingers launches its U.S. tour in Chicago with unbelievable, fly-with-out-a-net acrobatics and intense energy that’s infectious. The personal stories that are told build to an incredible climax that will leave you breathless-a don’t miss is the story of ‘reading a book in a big chair’- it’s terrific.
Te Cadillac Palace welcomes back Wicked, 12/1-1/23. It became Chicago‘s longest running Bway musical after an unprecedented record breaking 3 1/2 year run of over 1500 performances. The witches, Dorothy and even Toto are back, follow the story of two girls born in Oz as they grow to become Glenda the Good, and the Wicked Witch of the West.
At Bank of America the holiday season opens with another national tour launch, Handel’s Messiah Rocks 12/3-4. The treat for the whole family rocks with visual effects, an orchestra, a rock band, and adult and children’s choirs. Following will be Irving Berlin’s beloved, White Christmas 12/15-1/2. This is great family fare-direct from Bway. This is the classic story of two buddies ‘putting on a show’ in Vermont with with Berlin classics, ‘Blue Skies’, ‘Sisters’, and of course ‘White Christmas’.
For lots of folks in Chicago the holiday season really begins with The Goodman Theatre’s (312) 443-3800 production of A Christmas Carol until 12/31. Nationally renowned and locally treasured this production really brings London to life. So, grab a Scrooge and a Tiny Tim and enjoy this 33rd anniversary of this Chicago treat. Also, Congo Square‘s The Nativity, the Langston Hughes’ African-American classic of the birth of Christ told through dance, and gospel music, with the profound message of love and unity.
At Timeline Theatre (773) 281-8463, a world premiere and one of this year’s best, To Master the Art until 12/19. This play was commissioned by Timeline in 2008 and has lovingly brought the story of Julia and Paul Child, in Paris in the 1950’s, to life. It tells the story of how Julia found her passion for cooking, including a demo on stage! But, it also, brings to life many little known facts of her life, including the true love story she shared with her husband, Paul. Packed with humor and talent, Karen James Woditsch portrays Julia Child and husband Paul, played by our good friend, Craig Spiedel and a terrific ensemble add up to a show not to miss.
The Steppenwolf Theatre’s (312) 335-1650, 35th Season continues to shine with Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf? opening 12/2. Join a young professor and his wife for an evening night cap with George and Martha, arguably one of the theater’s most dysfunctional couples, as they battle, scrape and claw at each other. It’s Albee at his dark, comedic and chilling best.
Victory Gardens’ (773) 871 -3000 presents Chicago Muse’s, formerly Theatre Building Chicago, production of The Story of My Life until 1/2. The new musical is a tribute to lifelong friendships that impact our lives. Also, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at The Biograph! 11/26-12/31 is staged by American Blues Theater, with the original director and ensemble that brought this piece to life in 2004. This is a 1940’s radio broadcast of Frank Capra’s beloved classic, with the original score, and Foley sound effects that will bring Bedford Falls to life. This production is the featured stage performanced at this year’s McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago.
Lookingglass Theatre Company’s (312) 337-0665 Peter Pan a Play extended until 1/2, is newly adapted for the stage by Amanda Dehnert. It’s dark, comic and at the same time filled with aerial arts and great theatricality, yet it retains the same wonderful story that J.M. Barrie wrote about ‘the boy who would never grow up’. Tinkerbell is there too!
At The Black Ensemble Theater (773) 769-4451, Jackie Taylor brings back the smash-hit, The Other Cinderella. This is the 16th return of Jackie Taylor’s most popular production ever. This fairy tale retains much of the classic ‘Cinderella’ story but there are lots of special surprises, music and fun to be had by all. Be there before the clock strikes 12!
American Theatre Co. (773) 409-4125 will present It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play 11/26-12/26. The theater will become an actual 1940’s radio studio, with costumes, and sound effects to tell the Frank Capra classic that has captured America‘s heart every holiday season. It’s a tale of how one man’s life impacts so many others.
Provision Theater’s (866)811-4111 musical comedy, the sequel to their hit Smoke on the Mountain, Sanders Family Christmas 11/23-12/23, is set in the early 1940’s, with more than two dozen Christmas carols, about a typical dysfunctional family at Christmas time and promises nothing but pure entertainment.
Court Theatre’s (773) 753 4472 Home running until 12/12 is a portrait of the black experience, hope and resiliency, told against the backdrop of the social changes of the 1960’s and 70’s. The story is told with great humor by an extraordinarily talented cast including Ashley Honore making her Chicago debut, and certainly deserves a standing ovation. Coming in January, Edward Albee’s most personal play written shortly after the death of his mother, Three Tall Women.
Just a hop, skip and a jump from the city:
At Light Opera Works (847) 869-6300 Evanston, the classic, Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly! runs12/26-1/2. The irrepressible, matchmaker, Dolly Gallagher Levi is back! The 26 piece orchestra brings songs including ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and of course ‘Hello Dolly’ to life and will have you humming along and tapping your toes to one of the most delightful stories ever to come from Broadway.
At Northlight Theatre (847) 673-6300 A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration until 12/19. It’s Christmas Eve 1864 and Mrs. Lincoln is looking for the perfect tree for the White House. This story by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel is fact, fiction, music and much more, including an all-star Chicago cast. It’s an entertaining, uplifting and feel-good show for the holiday season.
And at Centre East there’s always varied and wonderful entertainment.
Travels With My Aunt at Writers Theatre (847) 242-6000 Glencoe, finds retired Henry leading a quiet life until his Aunt Augusta shows up. Over 25 characters appear in this play, performed by 4 actors who change gender, age, nationalities and identities.
Last but not Least:
Second City’s (312) 337-3992 new mainstage show, Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue and on the etc. Stage; Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies, from birth through the hilarious ups and downs of life what the most important thing for us to remember is that we’re all in this together;
Profiles Theatre’s (773) 549-1815 world premiere Kid Sister until 12/19.
Theater Wit’s (773) 975-8150 annual The Santaland Diaries until 12/31.
Red Moon’s (312) 859-8440 Winter Pageant until 1/2. BoHo’s (773) 791-2393 Striking 12/16-1/12 a secular ‘un-Holiday’ Holiday show-a unique hybrid of musical theatre and live concert.
Gift Theatre’s (773)283-7071The Lonesome West until 12/20, a darkly comedic and violent exploration of brotherly love.
Lifeline Theatre’s (773) 761-4477 Click, Clack, Moo until 12/5.
The Apollo Theatre’s (773) 935-6100 The Million Dollar Quartet, now also on Bway and already nominated for a Tony for best musical. Treat yourself to a standing ovation!
Raven Theatre’s (773) 338-2177 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a classic you don’t want to miss.
Stage 773’s (formerly Theatre Building Chicago) (773) 327-5252 multiple stages and great entertainment including: Butch LaRue Stuffs Your Stockings until 12/31; Porchlight’s Miracle on 34th Street until 1/2; Little Women the Musical 12/19; Bri-Ko: All Silent All Funny until 1/2 and Cash 12/2-19.
Theo U Bique’s (773) 347-1109 Cats until 1/2- see it like never before.
Redtwist Theatre’s (773)728-7529 Lobby Hero until 1/2 where a security guard unwittingly becomes involved in a murder.
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s on Navy Pier (312) 595-5600 As You Like It opening 1/14.
Auditorium Theatre’s (312) 922-2110 The Nutcracker 12/10-12/26 by the Joffrey Ballet and many others.
Rosemont Theatre’s (800)745-3000 Legally Blonde the Musical 12/3-5 and more.
House Theatre’s The Nutcracker at Chopin Theatre (773) 278-1500.
The Artistic Home Theater (866) 811-4111 Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird of Youth until 12/19 a young gigolo returns home in search of his lost love.
Red Orchid’s (312) 943-8722 The Iliad with an all-female cast and a new spin on this classic.
The Greenhouse Theatre Centre’s (773) 404-7336 The Water Engine: An American Fable opens 12/5; Frankie & Johnnie in the Clair de Lune 12/31; and Remy Bumppo’s Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest until 1/9 and many others;
Briar Street Theatre’s (773) 348-4000 Blue Man Group;
Bailiwick Repertory Theatre’s (866) 811-4111
Departure Lounge at Royal George Theatre (312-988-9000) until 12/12;
Metropolis Centre for the Performing Arts (847)577-2121 Arlington Heights, presents A Christmas Carol 11/26-12/24 and The Second City’s Holidays in the Heigh 11/26-12/30, and much more.
Drury Lane Oak Brook’s (630) 530-0111 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, and coming 12/30 Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Until next time, we invite you to call us at (312) 661-1976 with opinions, suggestions, or for other recommendations.