How are the holidays so far? Let’s check in.
A number of reviews have been published in the Tribune for currently running yuletide shows; we’ve rounded up a few of them below.
“Miracle on 34th Street” (from Chris Jones’ ** 1/2 review): As holiday shows go, the Porchlight Music Theatre production of “Miracle on 34th Street” is a long way from a Christmas spectacular. With a running time of only about 80 minutes, this is not so much a stage version of the beloved 1947 movie as a compilation of the most famous bits. You do not get to see Mr. Macy sashaying through the store to some distinctively original ditty. And this show was, without question, seriously under-rehearsed. So why, then, did I spend half of those 80 minutes with tears running down my cheeks? I don’t recall ever sitting in a theater and feeling my emotions get so much the better of what passes for my critical faculties. Much of this has to do with the power of Valentine Davies’ original story about a department store Santa who convinces everyone he’s the real thing. In many ways, “Miracle on 34th Street” is a lot like Charles Dickens’ similarly anti-greed yarn, except that the focus here is not transformation but the gentle prodding of us all. Very few of us behave like Scrooge. Yet we could all do with a little more faith. Through Jan. 3 at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; $40 at 773-327-5252
“Winter Pageant 2009” (from Nina Metz’s *** review): Inventive as all get-out, Redmoon’s “Winter Pageant 2009” brings to mind a Dr. Seuss drawing brought to life. The annual winter pageant has an uneven track record — past shows have been charming if not especially memorable. This year’s effort blows everything else out of the water. The theme roughly follows the cycle of seasons, although don’t go looking for anything approaching a narrative. Just a series of goofy scenes that feature Redmoon’s trademark large-scale contraptions and insane design work. For an hourlong show, that’s all you need. I was a sucker for the cloud brigade that pops out from the hood of a car bearing desserts, while an overgrown baby in cloud pajamas totters on his tiptoes before snatching away one of the delicacies: “Who’s got the cake? Me!” (Mark Messing’s funky-whirring music is perfect.) And in the show’s most overt riff on holiday stress, the group gathers around a wintry table for a feast, only to see the meal devolve into a food fight, which — this being Redmoon — quickly becomes a ticker tape parade that paves the way for spring. Through Dec. 27 at Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard St.; $15 at 312-850-8440
“The Christmas Schooner” (from Chris Jones’ *** review): As a musical tale of the 19th century Christmas ships that carried trees from Michigan to the old Clark Street dock, this show is to Chicago’s Christmas as the Rockettes are to New York’s. And when the hydraulic stage at Munster’s Theatre at the Center whirs into gear to form the hull of the Molly Doone — soon to be buffeted by the December lake — it’s clear this is not the same “Christmas Schooner” that occupied Bailiwick Repertory for so many years. Chuck Gessert’s much larger and more sophisticated production has fuller orchestrations and Broadway-caliber actors like Peter Kevoian. Through Dec. 20 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster; $36-$40 at 219-836-3255
“A Christmas Carol” (from Chris Jones’ *** review): The remarkable Larry Yando is back as the miserly financier Scrooge in an emotionally resonant piece of homegrown Chicago theater that never fails to touch one’s soul. Through Dec. 31 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; $25-$74 at 312-443-3800
“The Snow Queen” (from Chris Jones’ ** review): Each year at the Victory Gardens, “The Snow Queen” comes close to transfixing us with its haunting, frozen story. Michael Barrow Smith’s beautiful folk/roots music and whimsical lyrics are undeniably beautiful and touching. But the show still hasn’t figured out how to tell the simple story of a pair of young friends torn asunder by the Snow Queen but repaired by a girl’s willingness to put herself at risk for the boy she loves. Through Dec. 27 by Victory Gardens at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; $20-$48 at 773-871-3000
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