Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

SCOTTISH PLAY SCOTT Homo for the holidays? A December theater preview
by Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times
2016-11-30

This article shared 490 times since Wed Nov 30, 2016
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Whether you're in the mood for a heartwarming Christmas tale or an irreverent camp comedy, there are all kinds of stage plays and musicals to get you in the mood for the holiday season. Here's a select sampling of shows; those marked with an asterisk ( * ) indicate significant LGBTQ content. All productions in Chicago unless otherwise noted.

Holiday theater:

*The Rip Nelson Holiday Spectacular—Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. Ed Jones returns to the embittered title role of a campy, embittered Hollywood has-been hosting a 1982 holiday TV show with guests like Liza Minnelli, magician Doug Henning and even Bruce Jenner. ( now to Dec. 30; HandbagProductions.org )

*This Way Outta Santaland—Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Since the rights were restricted this year for David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries, the veteran star Mitchell Fain of that beloved Theater Wit production has created his own holiday play with songs to share with audiences this season. ( now to Dec. 23; TheaterWit.org )

*Barney the Elf—The Other Theatre Company at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Leave the kids at home for the return of this very queer 2015 spoof on the 2003 film Elf. The production is full of scantily clad chorus boys and drag queens led by Chicago sensation Dixie Lynn Cartwright. ( now to Jan. 1; TheOtherTheatreCompany.com )

A Christmas Carol—Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Larry Yando returns once again to star as Ebenezer Scrooge in this special effects-filled staging which is an annual family favorite. ( now to Dec. 31; GoodmanTheatre.org )

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley—Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon create a pleasant fan fiction stage sequel to Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice for the holidays. ( now to Dec. 24; Northlight.org )

The Christmas Schooner—Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave. John Reeger and Julie Shannon's beloved home-grown historical musical about a sailing family who braves the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan to deliver Christmas trees to the Windy City is back for another run. ( now to Dec. 31; MercuryTheaterChicago.com )

A Christmas Carol—Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. When Crazy for You isn't on the stage, a family-friendly version of Charles Dickens' popular Christmas novella takes up residence. ( now to Dec. 23; DruryLaneTheatre.com )

The Nutcracker—Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Choreographer/director Marc Robin is the mind behind this family-friendly musical comedy take on the classic E.T.A. Hoffmann Christmas tale. ( now to Dec. 30; MarriottTheatre.com )

The Other Cinderella—Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Jackie Taylor's popular Afro-centric holiday take on the classic fairytale returns with new twists and material to close out the theater's 40th anniversary season. ( now to Jan. 8; Black Ensemble.org )

It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!—American Blues Theater at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. The audience gets to sit in on a 1940s radio broadcast adaptation of this much-loved American Christmas tale. ( now to Dec. 31; AmericanBluesTheater.com )

The Nutcracker—The House Theatre of Chicago at Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division St. If ballet isn't your thing, be sure to see the return of this puppet-filled and mournfully modernized take on the classic E.T.A. Hoffmann Christmas tale. ( now to Dec. 31; TheHouseTheatre.com )

A Christmas Survival Guide—Williams Street Repertory at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. A musical comedy revue offering tips on how to get through the holidays makes its Chicago-area debut. ( now to Dec. 4; WSRep.org )

A Christmas Story: The Musical—Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. This is the Broadway adaptation of the 1983 holiday film about a young boy in the 1940s who wants a toy rifle for Christmas. ( now to Dec. 18; CitadelTheatre.org )

Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night—Fans of the the long-running interactive Catholic comedy Late Nite Catechism won't want to miss the return of this holiday sequel that gets audiences playing bingo for prizes. ( Nov. 25 to Jan. 1; Nuns4Fun.com )

The Christians—Steppenwolf Theatre, 1750 N. Halsted St. Rather than warm Christmas feelings, consider modern theological debates in the Chicago premiere of Lucas Hnath's drama about a mega-church pastor whose new views on salvation rattle his closest confidants and his congregation. ( Dec. 1 to Jan. 29; Steppenwolf.org )

Christmas at Christine's—Silk Road Rising at Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St. Christine Bunuan invites audiences to share songs and stories from her Catholic-Jewish background that also encompasses a journey from Chicago to the Philippines. ( Dec. 1-23; SilkRoadRising.org )

Twist Your Dickens—The Second City and Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Rather than seeing a straightforward take on Charles Dickens' ever-popular Christmas tale, laugh along at the third return of this comedy collaboration involving The Second City and the Goodman Theatre. ( Dec. 2-30; GoodmanTheatre.org )

Choral concerts:

*Don We Now: 2016—Windy City Performing Arts at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St. ( 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 ). The Windy City Gay Chorus and the Windy City Treble Quire ensembles welcome their new artistic director, Dr. Eric Esparza in his first holiday concert for the organization which encompasses Chicago's oldest gay chorus. ( WindyCitySings.org )

*Home for the Holidivas—Chicago Gay Men's Chorus at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. ( 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 ), then at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie ( 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 ), then at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. ( 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 ). Opera singer Cynthia Clarey ( Porgy and Bess at Gyndebourne ) is the special guest star for this holiday concert featuring songs popularized by pop and classical divas like Mariah Carey, Jessye Norman and Barbra Streisand. ( CGMC.org )

One-night-only events:

*His and His—Pride Films and Plays at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway In honor of World AIDS Day, this concert revue features theater songs sung by gay characters and music by gay composer William Finn, famous for the Broadway musical Falsettos. ( 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1; PrideFilmsAndPlays.com )

*The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque—Tom Boi Theatricals and Cuckoo's Theater Project at Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway. Burlesque and "Boylesque" are feature in this eclectic spoof of the classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet. ( 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; UptownUnderground.net )

*SheFest—Pride Films and Plays at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway Expect some holiday themes in this variety show ( formerly known as LezFest ) which features lesbian and genderqueer performers who excel in music, movement, storytelling, standup comedy and more. ( 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1; PrideFilmsAndPlays.com )

*UNWRAPPED: The XXXmas Cabaret—Pride Films and Plays at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway Honey West is the host for this holiday revue featuring the Sinzation Dancers, GayCo, Boylesque and more. ( 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1; PrideFilmsAndPlays.com )

*Songs From My Holiday Closet—Uptown Underground, 4707 N. Broadway. Gay singer-songwriter L.T. Cousineau returns with a holiday revue featuring music by Patrick Sinozich, Jake Anthony, James Morehead and more. ( 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21; UptownUnderground.net )

Theater editor's note: The author of this piece previously performed with Windy City Gay Chorus and is currently on a leave of absence from the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus.


This article shared 490 times since Wed Nov 30, 2016
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show 2024-03-03
- On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical 2024-02-19
- Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show 2024-02-19
- In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...


Gay News

Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree 2024-02-16
- In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...


Gay News

Carisa Hendrix mesmerizes as Lucy Darling in Teatro ZinZanni 2024-02-12
- Since 2019, Teatro ZinZanni has gathered together amazing performers from all over the world to create an experience in Chicago under the Spiegeltent in the Cambria Hotel building, 32 W. Randolph St. Over the years, ticket ...


Gay News

THEATER Dot-Marie Jones talks Goodman production, 'Glee,' 'Bros' 2024-02-12
- Running through Feb. 18 at the the Goodman Theatre, the production Highway Patrol works with a script conceived entirely from Emmy-winning actor Dana Delany's (TV's China Beach) digital archive of hundreds of tweets and direct messages ...


Gay News

Dr. Lady J explains how opera can be a drag 2024-02-10
- On Feb. 8, Center on Halsted, in partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago, presented a lecture by historian, drag activist, podcaster and curator Dr. Lady J. The event, titled "Castrated Superstars, Cross Dressed Divas, and Queer ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Raven-Symone, women's sports, Wayne Brady, Jinkx Monsoon, British Vogue 2024-02-09
- In celebration of Black History Month, the LA LGBT Center announced that lesbian entertainer Raven-Symone will be presented with the Center's Bayard Rustin Award at its new event, Highly Favored, per a press release. She joins ...


Gay News

Chicago-based production company to host all-inclusive, LGBTQ-focused Valentine's Day event 2024-02-07
--From a press release - CHICAGO — Second Glance Productions will host the LGBTQupid Soiree this Valentines Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The event will be held at the iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St., from 6 pm to 11 pm ...


Gay News

THEATER Nostalgic 'Sunsets' still offers a timely reflection of LGBTQ+ community 2024-02-07
- Nostalgia reigned on a variety of scales this past weekend in Chicago. During her Celebration tour, at a majestically packed United Center, Madonna acknowledged the last 40 years of her career, highlighting her '80s interactions with ...


Gay News

The Jeff Awards announces the 50th-anniversary non-Equity theater nominations 2024-02-06
--From a press release - (Feb. 6, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the Joseph Jefferson Awards announces its nominations for theater excellence among Non-Equity theater during the ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.