Celebrate the Holidays with 'ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS', MESSIAH, NUTCRACKER and More at Raue Center

Tis the season! Raue Center has announced its holiday programming, which features a little something for everyone.

Brighten the holiday season with shows like Lightwire Theater's "A Very Electric Christmas" and "A Christmas Survival Guide" presented by Raue Center's own in-house theatre company, Williams Street Repertory. Join Raue Center for beloved traditions like Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops Concert and Voices in Harmony's Sing-Along "Messiah." Let Sugar Plum Fairies enchant you for a few hours in "The Nutcracker" and ring in 2017 with two amazing New Year's Eve shows.

Get out of the cold and into Raue Center for a variety of holiday fun! To learn more or purchase tickets, visit rauecenter.org.

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A Very Electric Christmas | November 10 at 7 pm

Brighten your holidays with Lightwire Theater's "A Very Electric Christmas"! Join a young bird named Max as he adventures through the North Pole to find his way home after becoming lost in a snowstorm. Audiences of all ages will treasure this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits including Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey and Tchaikovsky. Tickets start at $20.

A Christmas Survival Guide presented by Williams Street Rep | November 26 - December 4

Do you find the holidays more than a little stressful? This intimate revue takes a wry and knowing look at a stressful season. Armed with a copy of "A Christmas Survival Guide" and an optimistic attitude, the characters charge into an urban holiday landscape searching for the true essence of Christmas. Filled with comedy, poignancy and traditional songs of the season, this show is designed to de-stress and refresh one and all with holiday cheer. A fun, holiday musical treat! Tickets start at $32.50.

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Pops Concert | December 9 at 8 pm

Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra returns to Raue Center for a beloved holiday tradition. The Holiday Pops Concert provides quality orchestral music through festive combinations of contemporary and classic hits. Tickets start at $52.

Voices in Harmony: Sing-Along Messiah | December 11 at 4 pm

The community and the Voices in Harmony choir join their voices in harmony with Handel's great masterwork, "Messiah." The performance features a 25-piece orchestra, excellent soloists and projections of beautiful calligraphy by Timothy Botts. The McHenry County College Chorus will supplement the onstage choir. Truly a beautiful community-based performance, this is one of our area's most meaningful holiday traditions. Tickets start at $18.

The Nutcracker | December 17 at 3 pm & 7 pm, December 18 at 3 pm

Enjoy the magic of dancing sugarplums all weekend long when Berkshire Ballet Theatre brings a beautifully reimagined "Nutcracker" to Raue Center! Join Clara on her daring adventure with the Nutcracker Prince through The Land of Snow and The Land of Sweets, march along with the toy soldiers, bravely battle the Rat King and embrace the beauty of dancing snowflakes in this truly enchanting production. Tickets start at $28.

Steve Cochran's New Year's Eve Comedy Show | December 31 at 1 pm

Wouldn't it be great if there was a New Year's Eve show you could see and still make it home in time to fall asleep by 11? Good news: there is! Join 720 WGN's Steve Cochran and special guests for a New Year's Eve comedy show that will be very funny (and done WAY before your bedtime). Yes, the best in stand-up means you will have a great time saying goodbye to 2016 with Raue Center without missing any of your beauty sleep! Tickets start at $52.

A Rockin' New Year's Eve with Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama | December 31 at 8 pm

Ring in the New Year with an amazing evening of rock-n-roll and comedy! Your musical host for the night is Jimmy Nick and he will be joined on stage with comics from the WGN morning show, including Mike Toomey, Pat Tomasulo and more. Say goodbye to 2016 in style! Tickets start at $25.

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Williams Street Repertory is a non-profit theatre company located in the wonderful town of Crystal Lake, Illinois. Over the past 6 years, WSR has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of Illinois' leading producing theatres. WSR is dedicated to sustaining an artistic process of innovative and emotionally charged work, telling diverse stories, and creating an in-house Production Company of well-respected artists. Since opening, WSR has presented more than 18 productions with a wide range of appeal: from Chicago premieres to international debuts to holiday favorites. In 2016, WSR entered into a contract with Actors Equity Association, making WSR the only professional theater company in McHenry County. Williams Street Rep is dedicated to its mission of producing diverse and emotionally charged stories that deepen the cultural richness of our community and our region. WSR was made possible through support provided by Susen Håakansson Berg and James C. Berg, the City of Crystal Lake, ComEd, McHenry County Community Foundation and Epic Repertory Theater Company. For additional information, visit wsrep.org.

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 15 years, they have provided quality programming - striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional Showcase Theatre named for its benefactor-Lucile Raue-Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.