Chicago’s stages are gifting the area with holiday treats for all ages this winter.
Offerings include annual favorites (from Charles Dickens, Frank Capra and Beatrix Potter), a holiday treat with actress Jane Lynch, holiday-themed improv (The Second City) and plenty of new and classic treats from Broadway in Chicago (“& Juliet,” “Les Miserables,” “Mean Girls,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”) and other Chicago theaters (“Little Women,” “Frozen,” “The Little Mermaid”).
But that’s only scratching the surface. Here’s a look at some of the offerings for theater lovers of all ages.
Enjoy!
“A Christmas Carol”
“A Christmas Carol”: In the annual staging of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, Christopher Donahue takes over the lead role. Jessica Thebus directs. Nov. 16-Dec. 30. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, $25-$149; goodmantheatre.org
“A Christmas Carol”: William J. Norris’ family-friendly, 70-minute adaptation of the holiday classic. Amelia Barrett directs. Nov. 22-24. McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, $14, $16; atthemac.org.
“A Christmas Carol”: Jackie Goldfinger’s adaptation of Dickens’ classic holiday story. Brendan Ragan directs. Nov. 24-Dec. 23. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell, $20-$45; metropolisarts.com
“A Christmas Carol”: A 60-minute family-friendly version of Dickens’ holiday classic. Nov. 29-Dec. 28. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Ln., Oakbrook Terrace; $28; drurylanetheatre.com
“Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol — A Solo Show”: Phil Timberlake adapted and stars in this version of the holiday classic. Nov. 29-Dec. 22. Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood, $45; lifelinetheatre.com
“Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again”: Blake Montgomery performs his Jeff Award-winning solo show which imagines a still-living Dickens forced to perform his classic for the 171st year in a row. Dec. 5-22. The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, $16+; dickensagain.com
“Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol”: The performance collective’s imaginative adaptation updates the holiday tale as Aunt Trudy, an avowed holiday skeptic, is recruited to channel her late husband’s famous Christmas cheer. Dec. 13-29 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, $45-$65; fineartsbuilding.com
Theater
“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”: The true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-topping American rock icon. Features a catalog of Diamond classics. To Nov. 24. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, $70-$165; broadwayinchicago.com
“Seven Guitars”: August Wilson’s drama follows six friends mourning the death of a rising blues star cut down in his prime. Manny Buckley directs. To Dec. 1. City Lit Theatre, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, $30; citylit.org
“Annie”: A new production of the Tony Award-winning musical starring Hazel Vogel as the red-headed orphan. Jenn Thompson directs. To Dec. 1. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, $39+; ticketmaster.com
“Dog Man: The Musical”: TheaterWorksUSA presents a family adventure based on Dav Pilkey’s bestselling children’s series. To Dec. 1. Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, $36+; dogmanthemusical.com
“Sofa King Queer”: Nothing Without a Company presents Kevin Sparrow’s pop-punk/indie rock musical that examines the positioning of LGBTQIA+ rights as a political token during election season. To Dec. 2. Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N. Sheridan, $30-$60; nothingwithoutacompany.org
“Pericles”: Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company returns to Chicago for the first time in 30 years with its new production of the Bard’s rarely staged play. To Dec. 7. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 800 E. Grand, $58-$120. chicagoshakes.com
“Falsettos”: William Finn and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical is a tribute to family and its many forms. Nick Bowling directs the Court Theatre co-production with Timeline Theatre. To Dec. 8. Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, $42-$90, courttheatre.org
“Leroy and Lucy”: Jon Michael Hill and Brittany Bradford star in Ngozi Anyanwu’s play about of two lost souls who meet at a crossroads, in the dead of night, deep in Mississippi. Awoye Timpo directs. To Dec. 15. Steppenwolf Ensemble Theatre, 1646 N. Halsted, $20+; steppenwolf.org
“Throbbin Wood”: An adult holiday panto which includes songs, dance and audience participation. To Dec. 15. Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, $35; pridearts.org
“The Tragedy of Macbeth”: Invictus Theatre presents one of Shakespeare’s most popular and enduring tragedies about a Scottish general consumed by ambition. To Dec. 15. Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park, $38; invictustheatreco.com
“The Secret Garden”: Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman’s adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel about a young orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle. Christopher Pazdernik directs. To Dec. 22. Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard, Evanston, $30-$60; theo-u.com
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”: A holiday favorite, this is the story of two buddies who stage a winter pageant to save a struggling Vermont inn. Linda Fortunato directs. To Dec. 29. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $63+; marriotttheatre.com
“Little Orphan Boy”: A musical parody inspired by favorite orphans — Annie, Oliver, Harry Potter and Batman. To Dec. 29. The Annoyance Theatre, 851 Belmont, $20; theannoyance.com
“Teatro ZinZanni”: The entertainment experience features a gourmet feast plus musicians, jugglers, high-flying acts and more. To Dec. 31. Spiegeltent ZaZou, Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph, $74+ (show only), $99+ (with four-course meal); zinzanni.com/chicago
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”: The enchanting musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Laura Rook directs. To Dec. 29. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $15.75; marriotttheatre.com
“Every Brilliant Thing”: A play by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahue shines a light on life’s small abundant joys and the lengths we will go to for those we love. Kimberly Senior directs. To Jan 5. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, $70; writerstheatre.org
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”: Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater’s stage adaptation of the popular film based on the Hans Christian Andersen story. Scott Weinstein directs. To Jan. 12. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, $52.95+; drurylanetheatre.com
“Frozen the Broadway Musical”: The beloved Disney animated film comes to life as two sisters, Elsa and Anna, navigate love, loyalty and Elsa’s uncontrollable powers. Trent Stork directs. To Jan. 19. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, $28-$85; paramountaurora.com
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”: Based on a story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, the story follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they are joined by a new generation at Hogwarts School for an unbelievable new journey forever. To Feb. 1. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph, $49-$193; broadwayinchicago.com
“The Devil Is in the Detours”: The Second City’s 112th mainstage revue features Andy Bolduc, Jordan Stafford, Laurel Krabacher, Adonis Holmes, Hannah Ingle and Adisa Williams. Rob Wilson directs. Ongoing. The Second City, 230 W. North, $39+; secondcity.com
“Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone”: The Second City e.t.c.’s 48th revue features returning company members Meghan Babbe, Terrence Carey, Claudia Martinez and Tim Metzler plus newcomers Jenelle Cheyne and Javid Iqbal. Ongoing. The Second City, 230 W. North,$39+; secondcity.com
“Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago”: Mitchell Bisschop’s solo show about the Chicago columnist who was a fixture amongst Chicago newspapers. To Dec. 22. Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, $60; royko.brownpapertickets.com
“The Comedians”: Philip Dawkins’ play about two comedians whose relationship is tested by fame. To Nov. 24. Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, $65; raventheatre.com
“The Wickhams — Christmas at Pemberley”: In Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s play, holiday events unfold upstairs as the servants below find themselves in the midst of a scandal. Nov. 14-Dec. 15. Buffalo Theatre Ensemble at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, $44; atthemac.org
“Dames at Sea”: Jim Wise and George Haimsohn’s musical parody of flashy 1930s Busby Berkeley-style musical movies. Gregg Dennhardt directs. Nov. 15-Dec. 15. Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan, Lake Forest, $45; citadeltheatre.org
“The LiV Warfield Xperience”: Liv Warfield, who stars in the current Teatro ZinZanni show, performs with her band. Nov. 18. Spiegeltent ZaZou, Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph, $60+; zinzanni.com/chicago
“Yippee Ki Yay (the parody celebration of ‘Die Hard’)”: Richard Marsh’s rhyming retelling of the classic film. Nov. 19-Dec. 15. Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, $40-$85; broadwayinchicago.com
“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Sweater”: The Second City roasts the holidays with songs, sketches and improv. Nov. 21-Dec. 23. Paramount’s Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena, Aurora, $43; paramountaurora.com
“The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party”: Four Beatrix Potter stories come to life in this 45-minute show followed by puppet play, photos, crafts and holiday treats in the lobby. Nov. 23-Dec. 29. Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine, $45.25; chicagochildrenstheatre.org
“The Long Christmas Dinner”: TUTA Theatre presents Thornton Wilder’s drama about several generations of the Bayard family as told through Christmas dinners, past, present and future. Nov. 26-Dec. 29. Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark, $20-$60; tutatheatre.org
“Caesar’s Circus”: Frank Ferrante’s new family-friendly show is an interactive vaudeville-style entertainment featuring Ferrante’s alter ego, Caesar, and an ensemble of acrobats, clowns, magicians, singers and musicians. Nov. 27-Dec. 1. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $65+. Visit northshorecenter.org.
“Mean Girls”: Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin’s adaptation of the popular movie about a teenager who takes on a trio of frenemies. Nov. 28-Dec. 1. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells, $33-$121; broadwayinchicago
“Little Women”: Lauren Gunderson’s new stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel about four sisters and the strengths that bind them together. Georgette Verdin directs. Nov. 29-Jan. 5. Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $49-$91; northlight.org
“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago”: This annual retelling of Frank Capra’s classic is a 1940s radio broadcast adaptation that has become a holiday tradition. Gwendolyn Whiteside directs. Nov. 29-Dec. 22. American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln, $55; americanbluestheater.com
“Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire”: The Second City lampoons holiday traditions including office parties, holiday movies and Mariah Carey’s entire catalog. Nov. 29-Dec. 31. UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North, $29+; secondcity.com
“Rudolph Runs Wild”: A family-friendly show full of songs and sketches new and old and written specifically for young audiences. Nov. 30-Dec. 28. The Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North, $29+; secondcity.com
“House Without a Christmas Tree”: Griffin Theatre presents a world premiere musical based on Gail Rock’s novel about a girl who doesn’t understand why her father won’t allow a Christmas tree in their house. Dec. 1-29. Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark, $43; griffintheatre.com
“Christmas Bingo — It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night”: Vicki Quade’s holiday show unites two of the best things about being Catholic: Christmas and bingo. Dec. 1. Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison, Oak Park, $35; madisonstreettheater.org
“& Juliet”: Max Martin and David West Read’s musical that asks: What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Luke Sheppard directs. Dec. 3-15. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, $40-$165; broadwayinchicago
“A Gamble on Huff — The Story of Gamble & Huff”: Daryl D. Brooks’ musical story of songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff who churned out soul hits for some of the music industry’s biggest stars. Brooks directs. Dec. 21-Jan. 26. Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark, $55.50-$65.50; blackensembletheater.org
New Stages Festival: Features new works by playwrights Dolores Díaz, Lee Kirk, Eduardo Machado and Jacinta Clusellas, Dael Orlandersmith and Marco Antonio Rodriguez. Dec. 11-15. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, free with reservation; goodmantheatre.org
“A Swingin’ Little Christmas”: Emmy-winning actress Jane Lynch’s holiday extravaganza of comedy and music. With Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and the Tony Guerrero Quintet. Dec. 12-15. Steppenwolf Theater, 1650 N. Halsted, $79-$119; steppenwolf.org
“That’s Weird, Grandma: A Holiday Spectacular”: PlayMakers Laboratory presents a sketch show featuring adaptations of stories written by elementary school students. Dec. 12-15. Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland, $15, $25; playmakerslab.org
“Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer (An Unauthorized Musical Parody)”: Hell in a Handbag presents the 25th anniversary edition of its twisted holiday adaptation of the classic television special. Dec. 13-Jan. 5. Hoover Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, $32-$65; handbagproductions.org
“It’s a Wonderful Life — A Live Radio Play “: Five actors perform dozens of characters in this staging of the classic story. Dec. 13-29. Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport, $33; athenaeumcenter.org
“Les Miserables”: Boublil & Schonberg’s score, filled with now classic songs, helped make this one of the world’s most popular musicals. Dec. 17-Jan. 5. Cadillac Palace, 151 W. Randolph, $40-$165; broadwayinchicago.com
“Fairytale of New York”: An Irish-inspired concert with music and dance featuring holiday favorites and traditional Irish sing-along songs. Dec. 17-18. Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, $45-$115; broadwayinchicago.com
“Legally Blonde — The Musical”: Based on the popular film, this is the story of Elle Woods and her journey to Harvard Law School. Dec. 19-29. Music Theater Works, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, $19.50+; musictheaterworks.com
“Rocky Mountain High Experience, A John Denver Christmas”: A holiday show featuring Denver’s hits. Dec. 19-22. Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, $45-$100; broadwayinchicago.com
“The Berlin Diaries”: Andrea Stolowitz’s drama based on her great-grandfather’s journal kept after escaping to New York in 1939 as a German Jew. Izadorius Tortuga directs. Dec. 20-Jan. 5. Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson, $25; openspacearts.org
“Weird”: Practical Theater Company presents a year-end sketch-comedy revue. Dec. 20-22. Studio 5, 1934 Dempster, Evanston, $35, $40; studio5.dance/calendar