Goldstar has Broadway in Chicago theater packages starting at only $89!  Chicago offers much to see and do, and this season’s Broadway In Chicago lineup will keep you busy into the summer, with fabulous shows at beautiful theaters in the heart of Chicago’s downtown arts district. Your six-show subscription package begins with the U.S. premiere of the music and dance spectacular Heartbeat of Home. From the producers of Riverdance, this high-energy extravaganza features traditional Irish, Latin and Afro-Cuban elements. Next up, American Idol‘s Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo star in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the enduring hit that blends pop, country and rock music to tell the uplifting Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and a magical coat of many colors. The New York Times called Peter and the Starcatcher, the swashbuckling, madcap prequel to Peter Pan, “the most exhilarating storytelling on Broadway in decades.” The U.S. tour premiere of Motown the Musical transports you to an era when a featherweight boxer transformed to heavyweight music mogul and launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and more — in the process creating the sound that changed America. From there, follow the yellow brick road to the magical land of Oz in the enchanting new adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, featuring all your favorite tunes plus some new ones by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The season wraps up with The Last Ship, making its pre-Broadway world premiere. With an original score by 16-time Grammy-winner Sting, it’s an epic tale of life in the English seafaring town of Wallsend.

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.

DJ Lance Rock and the rest of the Yo Gabba Gabba! crew star in their first ever holiday show, A Very Awesome Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Holiday Show.  Get tickets to four performances in mid-December for $22.50 – half off – with this Goldstar deal.  Join Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, Plex and hip-hop legend Biz Markie for this all-new concert that takes the magic of the TV show and puts it live on stage. There’ll be dance numbers that make you “razzle dazzle” and special effects that will transform the stage into a glistening holiday wonderland. Get ready to say “Yo Gabba Gabba!” and join in the fun.  Note:  Service and agency fees add $7.50 to the ticket price.

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.

What would Romeo and Juliet look like — 10 years later — if they had managed to successfully fake their suicides and sneak off as husband and wife? Bravo Theatre Company’s new comedy written and directed by Mike Rago picks up after the two lovers’ infatuation has long disappeared. Romeo’s good looks and Juliet’s charm aren’t holding up under the strains of marriage, either. Romeo and Juliet, 10 Years Later reveals the truth of what could have happened had their scheme succeeded. This is the rest of their story.  I

I’ve always wondered how young love would fare under the strain of leftovers and why didn’t you take out the garbage – – again!  Enjoy comp tickets to Friday and Saturday’s performances at Southbridge Church in Orland Park ($4 service fee).

Street Justice: Condition Red takes you back to a time when jeans were acid-washed, hair was teased and all fight sequences involved slow motion and synthesizers. Factory Theater presents a razor sharp send-up of buddy cop movies of the ’80s, featuring all your favorite tropes from this raddest of genres. One cop plays it by the book. One cop breaks all the rules. Both are on a deadly mission to defend Chicago from the most cunning criminal mastermind since Scarface himself. In these mean streets, there is no right or wrong, only Street Justice.  Grab $5 tickets to Prop Thtr’s production of Street Justice:  Condition Red, with performance dates through mid-December!

Get tickets to Carmen starting at $7.50 ($5.50 service fee) – up to 85% off!  In American Chamber Opera’s adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen, Jose is a cop in present-day Chicago and Carmen is a sultry factory worker who arrives to steal Jose’s heart from his childhood friend, Michaela. When Carmen is arrested for causing a riot at work, she seduces Jose — and he’s sent to prison for letting her escape. Things get even more heated when the famous boxer Escamillo falls for Carmen and he follows her and Jose when they flee to Las Vegas.  Watch as the drama unfolds for this fiery love triangle.  Tickets are limited to weekend performances on November 22, 23 and 24th.

If you’ve never attended a radio performance, you really, really need to get tickets to one this holiday season – it’s something the entire family can enjoy.  PITA and I saw this radio show last year (@ Wheaton Drama) and have tickets again this year – yes, it’s that much fun!  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.

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.American Blues Theater presents a live radio-style performance of Frank Capra’s holiday masterpiece 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… more