The rancor of the election season is past, and this year more than ever, many of us agree with Auntie Mame — that “We need a little Christmas” (and Hanukkah, and New Year’s and Kwanzaa). In addition to Chris Jones’ Top 10 and selections on the cover, we offer a naughty and nice sampler platter of 39 seasonal delights.
Traditional stage
“A Christmas Carol”
More numerous than the figs in the figgy pudding are the versions of the Dickens classic this season, from kids’ musicals to the beatnik stylings of “The Hipmas Carol.”
* Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace through Dec. 20.
* Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, Tuesday through Dec. 24.
* Alan Menken’s musical version, Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, Nov. 28-Dec. 21.
* TheatreWorks USA’s musical version for kids, The Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University, University Park, Dec. 7.
* The Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s touring show, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, Dec. 7 and 8.
* “Scrooge! The Musical,” by Leslie Bricusse, Children’s Theatre of Western Springs, Dec. 3-14.
* HeadCheese Fat Boss’ “The Hipmas Carol,” Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Dec. 4-20.
* Michael Halberstam’s one-man version, Writers’ Theatre, Glencoe, Dec. 13-23.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
If you see only one holiday classic about an incipient bank failure, consider American Theater Company’s radio version, complete with live foley effects and ads for fine establishments in Bedford Falls, er, on Lincoln Avenue. American Theater Company, Dec. 4-28.
“Meet Me In St. Louis”
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, courtesy of this stage version of the Vincente Minnelli 1944 film in a remount by Jim Corti. Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, through Jan. 4.
“Black Nativity”
Congo Square’s celebrated annual production of Langston Hughes’ gospel version of the birth of Christ, adapted and directed by McKinley Johnson. Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Friday through Dec. 28.
“A Christmas Story”
Jean Shepherd’s comic coming-of-age yarn about his 1940s childhood in Hammond — and the air rifle that would make the holiday. Noble Fool Theatricals, St. Charles, through Dec. 27.
“The Snow Queen”
Michael Smith, Frank Galati, and Blair Thomas’ folkie version of Hans Christian Andersen’s dark little fairy tale, complete with oversize puppets. Victory Gardens Biograph, Nov. 28-Dec. 28.
Very non-traditional
“Drinking and Writing Vol. IV: The 12 Steps of Xmas”
Neo-Futurist Steve Mosqueda and his pal Phil Ridarelli, along with stories from such literary elves as Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote and Charles Bukowski, offer a glassy-eyed view of holiday excess. Victory Gardens Biograph, Nov. 28-Dec. 19.
“A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant”
Because nothing says “Merry Christmas” like getting sued by the House That L. Ron Hubbard Built. A group of urchins tell the Greatest Story Ever Sold in Kyle Jarrow’s satirical musical about the man behind Dianetics. A Red Orchid Theatre, through Dec. 28.
“Redmoon Winter Pageant Redux”
Return of Redmoon’s community-oriented, nondenominational celebration of the solstice. Redmoon Central, through Dec. 21.
“Silent Night of the Lambs”
Christmas and mass murder? Hell in a Handbag mixes up the winsome (“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”) with the gory in this update of “The Silence of the Lambs.” Bailiwick Repertory, Dec. 3-Jan. 3.
“Soiree Dada: Schmuckt Der Hallen”
WNEP Theater’s anarchic sensibility gets unleashed on holiday consumer excess. Be very afraid. Storefront Theater, Friday through Dec. 20.
“The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue”
Escape the insanity of your family for a couple hours in this annual salute to the crazy-making aspects of forced togetherness and good cheer. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, Nov. 28-Dec. 31.
“The Annual Deer Run Lane Holiday Party”
Cul-de-sac or end of the world? You be the judge! Farrell Walsh directs this “Seasonal Disorder” offering. Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, through Dec. 20.
“Frostbite”
It had to happen eventually: A mad scientist builds a snowman with a taste for brains. Annoyance Theatre, through Dec. 27.
“Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure”
Lifeline’s KidSeries brings back Christina Calvit’s tale of a boy looking for his lost sister before Mom gets home. Lifeline Theatre, Dec. 14-Jan. 4.
Traditional music
Do-It-Yourself Messiah
Get tickets fast for this evergreen tradition. Civic Opera House, Dec. 21-22.
“Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah”
Or, opt for the oratorio that swings! Suzanne Mallare Acton conducts, with soloists Rodrick Dixon, Victor Trent Cook, and Alfreda Burke. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 12-14.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors”
Francis Menotti directs this beloved opera about a crippled shepherd and the visitors from the east who change his life. Harold Washington Library Center Pritzker Auditorium, Dec. 5-7.
“Welcome Yule!”
The sounds of the season come alive in the Chicago Symphony’s annual family-oriented concert. Symphony Center, Dec. 14-23.
“Holidays World Tour”
Celebrate the season all over the globe — and the suburbs — with Chicago a cappella. Fourth Presbyterian Church, Dec. 4; Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, Dec. 5; Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park, Dec. 6; Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston, Dec. 7.
Contemporary music
“Dave Koz and Friends”
Jazz as smooth as the silkiest eggnog is on tap with Koz’s Christmas concert. Chicago Theatre, Dec. 6.
“Christmas with Aaron Neville and the Neville Quintet”
Louisiana-style holiday tunes from one of the Crescent City’s First Families of music. The Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University, Dec. 6.
Harry Connick Jr.
Another favorite son of New Orleans sings from his new holiday album “What a Night!” Chicago Theatre, Dec. 10-11.
“Miracle on State Street”
This year’s lineup sponsored by 101.9 FM includes Lifehouse, Plain White T’s, and Sarah McLachlan. Chicago Theatre, Dec. 12.
Jim Brickman
The pop pianist offers tunes with a romantic holiday buzz. Paramount Theatre, Aurora, Dec. 13.
Corky Siegel and Megon McDonough
Two Chicago favorites team up for a solstice singspiel. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, Dec. 21.
The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller
Resistance is futile. Chip Davis’ acousti-electronic New Age thingamabob rolls into Rosemont. Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, Dec. 26-27.
“Viennese Pops With An Irish Twist”
Chicago Festival Ballet and soprano Michelle Areyzaga perform on New Year’s Eve. McAninch Performing Arts Center, Glen Ellyn, Dec. 31.
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‘REVOLT! OF THE ELVES’
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus brings a proletariat perspective to Santa’s sweatshop, er, workshop. 8 p.m. Dec. 12, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Athenaeum Theatre; $25-$37 at all Ticketmaster outlets.
LINDA EDER ROCKS THE HOLIDAYS
Eder’s country-pop influences take off in this concert. 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Auditorium Theatre; $45-$95 at all Ticketmaster outlets.
‘THE SANTALAND DIARIES’
Call him Crumpet. David Sedaris’ nightmarish experience as a Macy’s elf is performed for Theater Wit by Mitchell Fain. Nov. 28 to Jan. 3 at Theatre Building Chicago; $24, 773-327-5252 and theatrebuildingchicago.org.
WYNONNA: A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS
Mama Judd’s singing daughter (as opposed to Ashley, the acting one) offers live renditions of songs from her holiday album. 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Paramount Theatre, Aurora; $65.50-$75.50 at 630-896-6666 and all Ticketmaster outlets.
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See related story, “From ‘Bingo’ to Scrooge, Top 10 best bets for holidays,” On the Town section, Page 5
