Head swimming with all the holiday offerings on the Chicago stage? Well, here’s a pretty darn thorough (but not complete — no list of holiday shows is ever complete) rundown of the Christmas-infused theatrics going on about town. We’re bound to have something for you on our list, which includes classic tributes, campy parodies, wholesome choirs, naughty burlesque and even a Chicago-style gang war over the rights to a live radio drama. Grab your calendars.
Chad Morton’s TV Christmas Miracle
Village Players Performing Arts Center, Oak Park, IL
12/3-12/20
A fading star of 1960’s Bing Crosby-esque television struggles to stay significant for another holiday season. Writer Jack Crowe and director Doug Long mix the fun of TV-Land kitsch with a deeper “what is talent?” message. We can’t wait to see Chad Morton’s sweater collection.
Cockettes: The Christmas Spectacular
Annoyance Theatre
Through 12/20
One of these Sundays we’ll be sure to escape the sweet-and-wholesome aspects of the holidays for this raunchy Annoyance variety show, billed as “dirty, extravagant and ridiculous.” Enough said.
The Flaming Dames in Naughtier & Nicer
New Millennium Theatre Company at The Spot
12/4-12/19
Cheeky ladies can always get behind some behind-shaking. The Flaming Dames put on a hot and dance-heavy burlesque act that makes a perfect date night or girls’ night out. Really. The numbers vary from punch-drunk funny to circus-skilled, and this year the Dames have added singing to their repertoire. Nice.
Florida Devereaux Does the Holidays
Brain Surgeon Theater Company at Prop Thtr
12/3-12/20
Chad Morton (see above) isn’t the only Chicago stage character struggling to revive a washed-up career this holiday season. Florida Devereaux’s in the same boat: The former sitcom star must sing her way back into the limelight on public access TV or face a lifetime of boring her cats with old showbiz stories. We added the cat part. What’s more, this is a musical!
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston
12/5-12/6
Sometimes you need the real deal. This weekend only, Northwestern’s University Chorale presents a holiday performance of every season’s must-have oratorio. And all for six-to-twelve bucks!
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!
American Blues Theater at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater
Through 12/27
It’s the perfect old-school storm: 40’s-style radio drama, the classic Biograph, the storied return of Chicago’s legendary American Blues Theater . . . what else? Oh yeah, the most iconic Christmas story of our time. But wait, there’s more: this production is part of a Chicago theatre feud! See below.
It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play
American Theater Company
Through 12/27
Sigh, you’re not seeing double. As you may know, earlier this year members of American Theater Company walked out due to differences with ATC’s artistic director, and they reformed under the group’s original name, American Blues Theater. Apparently, custody of the company’s George-Bailey-radio-play-spectacular remained something of a grey area. So, yes, Chicago’s blessed with two dueling productions of the same radio play. There must be an easier way for a theatre to get its wings.
Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer
Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary’s Attic
12/3-1/2
It’s drag, it’s camp and it parodies classic children’s TV! We’re so there. This show’s been running for 12 years and counting, so here’s a fabulous way to check another Chi-town classic off your Christmas list.
Theatre Wit at Theatre Building Chicago
Through 1/2
Mitchell Fain brings the seminal David Sedaris radio essay back to the stage after last year’s sold-out run. It’s hard to imagine anyone but Sedaris hitting just the right note in this sardonic tale of life as a Macy’s Elf, but Fain’s reviews have been so good we’re quite tempted to check this out. Alternatively, Sedaris himself has launched a competing version of his own show just a few blocks away. Kidding, kidding.
Happy Holidays!
comments (no responses so far)
Leave a Reply
Sign up or Login to leave comments.