Chicago Theaters Get Festive for the Holiday Season

The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of festive plays, musicals, dance and concert offerings this Holiday season. In support, the League of Chicago Theatres will once again create a comprehensive Holiday Theatre Guide that will be available beginning in mid-November at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area. An updated list of holiday shows with additional details about each production will be available throughout the season at ChicagoPlays.com. Additionally, many holiday shows will be available at Hot Tix, Chicago's local, half-price ticketing service.

The following is a selection of Holiday-themed work playing in Chicago this season.

Classic Chicago favorites include:

Charles Dickens' timeless tale of hope and redemption A CHRISTMAS CAROL, returns to the Goodman Theatre for its 39th year. RunsNovember 19 - December 31, 2016.

For a 15th year, Capra's holiday staple gets the 1940's radio treatment with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! presented by American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center November 18 - December 31, 2016.

The House Theatre presents its wholly original, ballet-free, fast paced and family friendly version of THE NUTCRACKER at the Chopin Theatre, weaving dance, text, and songs to tell a story of magic and mystery. Runs November 4 - December 30, 2016.

The Joffrey Ballet's Chicago favorite is reimagined for the highly anticipated World Premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's THE NUTCRACKER at the Auditorium Theatre from December 10 - 30, 2016.

Holiday-themed musicals include:

The classic Chicago musical THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER sets sail again at The Mercury Theater featuring a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians. Runs November 30 - December 31, 2016.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL returns to Chicago for a nine performance run at The Chicago Theatre. Based on the animated stop-motion television classic, the musical runs from November 17 - 20, 2016.

Ralphie Parker's quest for an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle is set to music in Citadel Theatre's A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL. Runs November 18 - December 18, 2016.

Holiday comedies include:

In a hilarious account of the stresses of the holiday season, Williams Street Rep presents A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE at The Raue Center, an intimate musical revue to destress and refresh. Runs November 26 - December 4, 2016.

The Second City presents a holiday tradition that doesn't include setting up a 6-ft fire hazard in the living room, or placing your kids on the lap of an elderly alcoholic at the local mall, HOLIDAZED AND CONFUSED. Performances are at UP Comedy Club from November 13 - December 31, 2016.

The Annoyance Productions' AUNTIE CHAN'S HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTY takes office parties to a new level with an office variety show that is all thrill and no chill. Runs November 5 - December 18, 2016 at The Annoyance Theatre and Bar.

For its third year, the Second City at the Goodman Theatre presents TWIST YOUR DICKENS, a twisted take on Scrooge, Tiny Tim and pop culture's most beloved holiday specials. Runs December 2 - 30, 2016.

Musical theatre meets sketch comedy in UP Comedy Club's NICK AND GABE: SNOWFLAKE BALL. The mashup will crack you up and get you in the holiday spirit. Runs December 1 - December 15, 2016.

In a throwback to 1982 pop culture, RIP NELSON HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR follows Rip Nelson as he tries to salvage his television career with a holiday TV special. Produced by Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic. Runs November 20 - December 30, 2016.

Other notable works include:

Through a pageant and a spindly tree, discover the true meaning of Christmas at Emerald City Theatre Company's A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Runs November 11, 2016 - January 8, 2017 at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.

20% Theatre Company Chicago's BETHLEHEM (PA) explores community, heartbreak and hope as the largest live nativity scene in the greater Mid-Atlantic has finds a home outside of Bethlehem. Performances are at Berry United Methodist Church from December 7 - 10, 2016.

Chicago favorite Christine Bunuan leads this new holiday musical revue, CHRISTMAS AT CHRISTINE'S. From California to Chicago to the Philippines to a Catholic-Jewish household Bunuan and Silk Road Rising present a lifetime of yuletide memories at Pierce Hall at the Historic Chicago Temple Building from December 1 - 23, 2016.

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, a charmingly imagined sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is Northlight Theatre's world premiere about independence, love and family. Runs November 10 - December 18, 2016.

In Piccolo Theatre's whimsical THE SNOW QUEEN, the shy Gerda must find the hero within as she quests across a wintry wonderland to save her best friend. Runs November 19 - December 18, 2016.

Holiday Savings at Hot Tix

Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to a wide variety of theatre productions for the current week, as well as future performances, including many holiday selections for the whole family. Half-price tickets are available online at HotTix.org, easily searchable by date, show, theatre, or genre, or buy in-person at downtown Hot Tix outlets.

Follow Hot Tix on social media:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/HotTix
Facebook: http://facebook.com/HotTix
Instagram: https://instagram.com/hottixchicago

About Chicago theater

Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago's theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2014-15 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.

The League of Chicago Theatres' Mission Statement

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.

For a comprehensive list of ChicaGo Productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com. Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.org.

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