League of Chicago Theaters To Release Annual Holiday Guide

As the 2011-2012 season moves into the holiday season, the League of Chicago Theatres continues to support the Chicago theater community, including the creation of promotional materials for the holiday season. A comprehensive Holiday Theater Guide will be available in mid-November at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area. An updated list of holiday productions will be available throughout the holiday season at www.chicagoplays.com.

Holiday theater offerings in Chicago include:
The Goodman Theatre brings back a beloved Chicago tradition with Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, complete with ghosts, magic, love and the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. November 18 - December 31.

The classic The Nutcracker returns to both the Joffrey Ballet and The House Theatre this holiday season. The Joffrey Ballet's production, conceived and directed by Robert Joffrey with music by Tchaikovsky performed live by the Chicago Sinfonietta, runs from Dec 09 - Dec 27, 2011 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. The House Theatre's production deconstructs the classic into a fantastical take on magic and mystery with dance, text, song and spectacle. November 3 - December 30.

The Chicago Theatre opens A Christmas Story, The Musical!, produced by the film's original Ralphie, Peter Billingsley. Ralphie Parker wants only one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB Gun, and he'll do anything to get it. December 14 - December 30.

David Sedaris' holiday classic The Santaland Diaries returns to the Theater Wit stage for the eighth time, starring Mitchell Fain. November 25 - December 31.

Congo Square's annual production of The Nativity returns to the Goodman Theatre with gospel music and modern dance. December 2 - December 31.

In the holiday tradition of the "Osmond Family Christmas" specials, Broadway In Chicago presents the Chicago premiere of Donny & Marie - Christmas in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre. December 6 - December 24.

Frank Capra's holiday classic It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play hits the stage at both American Theater Company, November 25-December 24, and the American Blues Theater at Victory Gardens, November 28-December 24.

A look at the ridiculous antics of an "average" family Christmas, Northlight Theatre presents Season's Greetings, last season's smash hit at London's National Theatre, at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. November 11 - December 18, 2011.

The Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Revue features a wide array of original and outlandish holiday fun and mischief. December 11, 2011 - January 1.

The heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship, the musical The Christmas Schooner returns to The Mercury Theatre. November 16 - December 31.

Provision Theater opens The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, written by Tim Gregory and Michael Mahler and directed by Tim Gregory. November 23 - December 23.

Singer Lisa Rock and her 6-piece band keep The Carpenters' holiday traditions alive with A Carpenters Christmas Special at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. December 14 - December 18.

The ComedySportz Theater uses their imagination to save Santa from the evil Expensivo in their family-friendly The Comedysportz Crew Saves Santa. November 19 - December 23.

Redmoon Theater's Winter Pageant 2011 presents an immersive family event for the young and young at heart. November 26 - January 8.

Annoyance Productions presents its annual The Annoyance Christmas Pageant featuring hilarious and family-friendly retellings of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Rudolph." December 3 - December 18.

Stage Left Theatre presents The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at Theater Wit, a comical and horrific tale of scandal. December 9 - December 31.

Created by Chicago comedian Leslie Nesbit, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy brings A Very Sci-Fi Christmas to the holiday season. Original and quirky, the show features Santa, space, love, and time travel. December 2 - January 14.

About Chicago Theatre
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 4 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. No other city in the country has such a creative, respected and thriving theater community. Chicago theater, with both its exceptional theater and extraordinary talent pool, has long been the envy of the world's top theater cities and is second to none in number and innovation.

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 website, www.chicagoplays.com. Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.com.

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