Joan Crawford and Christmas have a lot in common — they both show their best face to the world, but in reality they both have their dark side. This campy holiday premiere is meant for those who prefer something a little spicy in their stocking. It’s the tongue-in-cheek story of MGM film star Joan Crawford and the important lessons she learns one Christmas Eve. T’was the night before Christmas and Miss Crawford is filming the title role in a splashy new musical biography about Mary, the mother of God. Problem is, Joan needs a drink. And a rewrite. Jesus has all the best lines, and the actor playing Joseph is an oaf. Not to mention all the drama taking place off camera. Christmas Dearest is a unique take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as told by Hell in a Handbag’s own David Cerda. Join the fun as Joan visits her shady past, her appalling present and her eye-popping future in a tale of glamorous redemption set to music.
Tickets to The House Theatre of Chicago’s The Nutcracker have many sold out performances already! Dates available through the closing performance on December 29. The Nutcracker is a fantastical deconstruction of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s time-honored holiday story, with lots of humor and heart — and no ballet. This fresh theatrical interpretation centers on young Clara’s journey to save Christmas. With the help of a magical nutcracker given to her by her beloved Uncle Drosselmeyer, she’ll bravely fight the Rat King to save her family. This modern holiday production weaves together riveting dialogue, astonishing puppetry, original song and spellbinding imagery to tell a heartwarming story of love, loss and hope.
Our first exposure to radio shows was in NYC for The War of the Worlds. Even knowing it was a play didn’t stop your heart from beating faster. Radio shows are tremendous fun for the whole family.
American Blues Theater presents a live radio-style performance of Frank Capra’s holiday masterpiece It’s a Wonderful Life on stage at Greenhouse Theater Center. This has been a holiday tradition in Chicago since 2004, and this year’s performance once again features the original director and ensemble that have warmed hearts for many holiday seasons. Complete with live sound effects, an original score and a cast of eight wonderful actors who bring the typical small town of Bedford Falls to life on stage, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! recreates a 1940s-era radio broadcast of the heartwarming tale of troubled George Bailey’s Christmas Eve journey through his life history. The production includes holiday carols, live commercials from actual local sponsors, telegrams from the audience read on stage and a “Soldier Spotlight,” which honors one servic eman or servicewoman during each performance. After the show, the entire audience is invited to join the cast and crew for milk and cookies.
Original Supreme Mary Wilson invites The Four Tops to join her on stage at the Harris Theater for an evening of classic hits from the two groups, along with holiday favorites. Sign on for one of the following ticket packages and enjoy a night of music that will get you in a seasonal mood. Tickets are for late-December shows.
Limited tickets to The Goodman Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol are available on Goldstar. This adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story is a beloved Chicago tradition, produced every year at the Goodman. Audiences look forward to the “bah humbugs,” the electrifying arrival of the ghosts, the jubilant musical numbers and dancing, and Scrooge’s joyful rediscovery of life, love and the Christmas spirit. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, this year’s production of the timeless holiday tale promises to be merrier and more magical than ever.
Since premiering in 1987, Joffrey Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker has become America’s favorite Nutcracker, touring coast to coast more than any other. This beloved holiday masterpiece for the whole family features the entire ballet company, plus local children’s choruses, young dancers and a full orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s famous score live. It’s the magical tale of young Clara, whose Christmas gift of a nutcracker comes to life and brings her to a fantastic winter wonderland. With larger-than-life scenery and entertaining storytelling, Joffrey’s performance is an evening of pure enchantment and a glorious holiday tradition.
Goldstar has additional performance dates through the end of December for Million Dollar Quartet. On December 4, 1956, a twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley to Memphis’ Sun Records. The rock ‘n’ roll musical Million Dollar Quartetwas inspired by this famed recording session — the first and only collaboration among these legendary icons, each of whom had such a major influence on American music. This thrilling production brings audiences inside the recording studio with the four major talents who came together as a red-hot band for one unforgettable night, and features such enduring hits as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Hound Dog.” A hit on Broadway, Million Dollar Quartet was nominated for 2010 Tony and Drama Desk Awards.
