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All the shows and concerts to see, from ‘Nutcracker’ to Lil Nas X
Wi th performance venues now awakened from their pandemic slumbers, there’s no shortage of holiday cheer all over town. Whether Tiny Tim and George Bailey are your speed, or you prefer something a little more out there, there’s something for everyone this season. In every case, presenters and venues will have their own COVID policies and protocols; know before you go.
Traditional stage
“A Christmas Carol”: After last year’s radio play, Goodman’s beloved production is back on stage for the 44th time. Jessica Thebus directs as Larry Yando and Allen Gilmore split the role of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge. Goodman Theatre, through Dec. 31; also Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, Dec. 2 to 24; Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora, Dec. 10-19; Milwaukee Repertory Theater in Wisconsin, Nov. 30 to Dec. 24
Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol”: If the weather outside is frightful, you can still get your Dickensian kicks with Manual Cinema’s virtual, silhouetted telling of Scrooge and his ghosts. Streaming online, Nov. 26 to Jan. 3.
“Holiday Inn”: A live version of Irving Berlin’s classic film about a performer and schoolteacher who put on a holiday revue in a sleepy, out-ofthe way ski lodge. Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace, through Jan. 9.
“Mr. Dickens’ Hat”: A brand-new play puts the famed novelist’s chapeau at the center of a Victorian heartwarmer, in which a young protagonist saves the hat from a band of thieves, helping her family in the process. Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Nov. 26 to Jan. 2.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!”: For 20 years, American Blues Theater’s retelling of Frank Capra’s iconic film — radio play style complete with Foley artist Shawn Goudie voicing the sound effects — has been a North Side favorite for getting in the holiday spirit. American Blues at Victory Gardens Theater, Nov. 26 to Dec. 31; also Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview, Nov. 26 to Dec. 30.
“The Snow Queen”: The House Theater rotates off its time-tested “Nutcracker” for Lanise Antoine Shelley’s new adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s fable about redemption and hope — with plenty of magic and puppets mixed in. House at Chopin Theatre, Nov. 17 to Jan. 2.
“Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins”: Strawdog Theatre presents an adaptation of Eric Kimmel’s Caldecott-winning children’s book about a weary traveler who tries to outwit a band of goblins threatening to take the light out of Hanukkah. Strawdog at Rivendell Theatre, through Dec. 12.
Nontraditional stage
The Second City: “Deck the Hallmark: A Greeting Card Channel Original,” channeling the cheesiest of made-for-TV movies with cliches as loud as the sweaters. At Second City, through Jan. 2; also “The Second City’s Best of the Holidays” through Jan. 1 and “The Second City’s Holiday Revue: It’s a Wacky, Wonderful Life” at Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Nov. 26 to Dec. 23.
“’Twas the Night Before …”: The acrobats are back in Chicago for a short run. Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show was last here in 2019. Chicago Theatre, Nov. 26 to Dec. 5.
“The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party”: A mix of live performances and activities for young children and their families, based on the Beatrix Potter stories. Chicago Children’s Theatre, through Dec. 24
“A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular”: This Uptown theater’s holiday revue welcomes in-person and virtual audiences for a mix of seasonal gospel, rock and soul. Black Ensemble Theater, Dec. 11-12 and 18-19.
Q Brothers Christmas Carol: Tiny, Marley and Scrooge — the whole crew gets hip-hop stylings, complete with a live DJ, in this musical version of the holiday classic by GQ, JQ, Jax and Pos of the Q Brothers Collective. The Yard
at Chicago Shakespeare on Navy Pier, Dec. 7-23.
“Christmas Dearest”: Joan Crawford (played by David Cerda in drag) subs in for Ebenezer Scrooge in this musical version of “A Christmas Carol” dressed up in Hollywood glam. Hell in a Handbag at Ebenezer Lutheran Church Auditorium, Nov. 27 to Dec. 31.
“Who’s Holiday!”: This adults-only Seuss sequel centers on a middle-aged, boozy, cigarette smoking Cindy Lou Who recounting the first time she met the Grinch. Theatre Wit, Nov. 26 to Dec. 26.
PlayMakers Laboratory: “That’s Weird Grandma” gets a holiday spin, but the premise is the same. Teaching artists create adaptations of kids’ stories collected in classroom sessions, the results of which are reliably gut-busting. PlayMakers at Neo-Futurist Theater, Dec. 10-19.
Dance
“The Nutcracker”: Variations abound, but at the heart of this holiday classic is a coming-of-age story about a young girl swept away by her imagination (or perhaps by her wooden doll-turned-real-life-prince) to the Land of the Sweets. The Joffrey Ballet’s Chicago-centric version takes place on the grounds of the 1893 World’s Fair, newly retrofitted to the company’s Lyric Opera digs. Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House, Dec. 4-26. Other “Nutcrackers” include Salt Creek Ballet at Hinsdale Central Auditorium, Nov. 27-28, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Dec. 11-12, and McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Dec. 18-19; A&A Ballet, Athenaeum Theatre, Dec. 4; Ballet Legere, Lund Auditorium at Dominican University in River Forest, Dec. 4-5; Ballet Chicago, Athenaeum Theatre, Dec. 10-19; Hyde Park School of Dance, Mandel Hall at UChicago, Dec. 10-12. Ruth Page Civic Ballet, Northeastern Illinois University, Dec. 11-12 and College of Lake County in Grayslake, Dec. 18; Milwaukee Ballet in Wisconsin, Dec. 10-26.
“The Nut Tapper”: Hoofer Reggio McLaughlin annually taps into the “Nutcracker,” featuring multicultural dances in this swingin’ Land of the Sweets. Old Town School of Folk Music, Nov. 28.
“Holiday Rhythms”: Live music and tap dance sync up in an iconic South Loop jazz club with new works by Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Jazz Showcase, Dec. 7.
“Duke It Out!”: A jazzy alternative to “Nutcracker,” this chamber arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s score mingles with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s take. Primo tap dancers Tristan Bruns and Nico Rubio taking the roles of Mouse King and Nutcracker Prince. Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, Dec. 11.
“Beyond the Nutcracker”: Ballet 5:8 blends the Biblical Christmas story with Clara and the Land of the Sweets in this unique take on the holiday ballet. Valparaiso High School, Valparaiso, Indiana, Dec. 12 and Lincoln-Way West High School, New Lenox, Dec. 17-19.
Traditional music
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along: On Fridays, meet at The Bean for some interfaith caroling with special guests like the Chicago Community Chorus and, in a special Hanukkah edition on Dec. 12, the Kol Zimrah Jewish Community Singers. Millennium Park, Nov. 26 to Dec. 17.
Leslie Odom, Jr. — The Christmas Tour: The former “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom, Jr. comes to the Windy City for an evening of seasonal favorites. CIBC Theatre, Dec. 4.
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Unplugged: The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus pares down its typically tinseled tunes for acoustic versions of Holidisco favorites. CGMC at Harris Theater, Dec. 3; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Dec. 4;
Beverly Arts Center, Dec. 5.
“Brandenburg Concertos”: In what has become a Chicago tradition, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center plays the original instrumentation of all six of J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos.” Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Dec. 8.
Sarah Brightman’s “A Christmas Symphony”: After a successful livestream last winter, Brightman is taking her holiday show on the road accompanied by an orchestra and choir — a first for the beloved soprano. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 10.
“Songs of Good Cheer”:
A little known fact: For more than 20 years, former Tribune columnists Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn have gotten together to host this merry singalong featuring some of Old Town School’s best musicians. Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 10-12.
“Merry, Merry Chicago”: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays bits and bobs from the wintry canon like Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Snow Maiden,” plus festive carols and a special appearance by Broadway star Jessica Vosk. Symphony Center,
Dec. 17-23.
Straight No Chaser:
Before “Glee” and Pentatonix, there was Straight No Chaser, the a cappella
group with Illinois roots that rose to local fame two decades ago with their hilarious version of “12 Days of Christmas.” They’re sure to revive it, along with new songs from the group’s “Social Christmasing” album, released last year. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 11.
“Back Together for the Holidays”: Grammy winner Bill McMurray narrates a tale based on Raymond Briggs’ “The Snowman,” plus Christmas
carols played by the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Dec. 11.
“The Messiah”: There are several chances to see versions of Handel’s thrilling oratorio. Nicholas McGegan conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with soloists Yulia Van Doren, Reginald Mobley, Ben Bliss and Dashon Burton.
Symphony Center, Dec. 16-19; also Apollo Chorus at the Harris Theater, Dec. 11-12; International Music Foundation’s ”Do-It-Yourself Messiah” at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist
Dec. 19; Morgan Park Presbyterian Church, Dec. 4.
Kurt Elling’s “The Beautiful Day”: Plenty of jazz artists have swinging Christmas albums, but Chicagoan and standout vocalist Kurt Elling wanted to do something different. The result is “The Beautiful Day,” a compilation of transcendent jazz covers of well-known carols with some deep cuts mixed in. City Winery, Dec. 19.
Pop, rock and folk
“Merry Christmas, Darling”: Chicago’s Heidi Kettenring is perhaps best known for her role as Nessa in the original cast of “Wicked,” but lately she’s been leaning into her knack for silky, adult contemporary music with her uncanny interpretation of Karen Carpenter’s catalog. Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Dec. 13-14.
“Irish Christmas in America”: Be transported to the Emerald Isle with traditional Irish song and dance peppered by humorous, old-world storytelling.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 4.
Over the Rhine: Ohio husband and wife duo Over the Rhine (Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler) have a transfixing folk music sound and a vast holiday catalog developed since they were asked to play a Christmas concert on public radio 25 years ago. They return to the road for an annual Christmas Tour, where there’ll be plenty of secular songs to enjoy, too. Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 5.
She & Him “Christmas Party Tour”: Best known for her role on “New Girl,” multitalented Zooey Deschanel is one half of the band She & Him. The duo reboots their decadeold holiday album with classic carols and unique covers of holiday pop songs by Madonna and Wham! Chicago Theatre, Dec. 7.
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico: Much more than “Feliz Navidad,” this stellar mariachi band plays festive, family-friendly holiday classics for their “Very Merry Christmas Concert.” Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 17-18.
103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball: This year’s headliners include Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Black Eyed Peas.
Allstate Arena, Dec. 7.
93XRT’S Holiday Jam: The radio station is handing out free tickets to this year’s event, which features The Lumineers.
Thalia Hall, Dec. 7.
“The Hannukah Holiday Concert”: Nefesh Mountain brings intentional focus to Jewish culture and spirituality while exploring genre-bending music rooted in bluegrass and Americana. Old Town School of Folk Music, Dec. 9.
Pentatonix Evergreen Christmas Tour:
Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning a cappella sensation Pentatonix rolls out a new holiday album called “Evergreen,” adding to a deep well of seasonal hits sure to get you in the holiday spirit.