Edition: Chicago: Straight Up
Chicago's Theatre Line-Up
Author:
Here's a look at a few theatrical gems—all of which are worth a gander. So get out and see something or give someone an early holiday gift of tickets to a show. It's far better than fruitcake. Oh, and I've laced the eggnog with some non-seasonal fare, kind of like Chinese take-out after several days of holiday leftovers. (See if you can spot the egg rolls.)
Ballet
To many Chicagoans, Tchaikovsky means Christmastime. Join Clara on her Christmas Eve journey into the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets as the Joffrey Ballet once again perform "The Nutcracker".
Where to see it:
Joffrey Ballet of Chicago (Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., 312-902-1500), Dec. 8 to 27.
Popular Theatre/Drama
The spirit of the Christmas spirit is summed up in Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol", which tells how the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is finally won over by the kindness of others. In it, ghosts visit Scrooge to take him on journeys back, forward, and sideways in time—journeys that will change his life forever.
Where to see it:
The Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St., 312-443-3800), Nov. 26 to Dec. 30; Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace (100 Drury Lane, 630- 530-0111), Nov. 15 to Dec. 22. Get on deck for the world premiere, of "Argonautika". Adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman (who previously took on "The Odyssey") Argonautika tells the story mythic tale of Jason's great sea voyage on the Argo and his exotic adventures in quest of the Golden Fleece.
Where to see it:
Lookingglass Theatre Company (Water Tower Pumping Station, 821 N. Michigan Ave., 312-337-0665), Oct. 18 to Dec. 10.
Musicals
Even though ABBA, one of the biggest superstar groups of the 1970s raised their white flag and retired, their music is still going strong. So get out your velvet bell-bottoms and head over to the Ford Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph, 312-782-2004) and catch "Mama Mia!", a musical based on the ABBA repertoire. The ever-popular "Wicked" is here to stay. Find out how Glinda the Good Witch and the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz" came to be the way they are.
Where to see it:
Ford Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph, 312- 782-2004), Open run.
Based on the beloved Frank Capra film, "It's a Wonderful Life" (the musical) is a timeless fable of love conquering despair. So head on over to the Porchlight Music Theatre (at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, 773-327-5252) and watch good ‘ole Clarence get his wings. (Through Dec. 31).
Opera
From Montague and Capulet brawls in Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" to "Il Trovatore"—Guiseppe Verdi's passionate tale of love, lust, and revenge—the 2007 line-up at the Lyric Opera of Chicago (20 N. Wacker Dr., 312-332-2244) is sure to delight. See page 74 for a full schedule. So, you think you're a good speller? Find out at the "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., 312-977-1700). Before every performance, four audience members are invited to join the cast on stage as "kids" in the spelling bee (they put out a sign-up sheet beforehand). Open run.
Symphonic
A beloved holiday tradition continues. Experience Handel's "Messiah", an enduring holiday masterpiece that has linked humanity throughout the centuries with the promise of peace.
Where to see it:
The Apollo Chorus of Chicago at the Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Ave., 312-294-3000), Dec. 10, 3 p.m.; Harris Theatre for Music and Dance in Millennium Park (205 E. Randolph Dr., 312-334-7777), Dec. 17, 3 p.m. Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus, join forces to present "Welcome Yule!", an annual performance that combines favorite holiday songs and new, colorful musical productions in Chicago's stunning Orchestra Hall.
Where to see it:
Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Ave., 312-294-3000), Dec.15 to 17, 21 to 23rd.
