The holidays are a great time to enjoy special theater performances that only come around once a year. Treat your family to a live theater production that will create amazing memories as well as lots of fun! Better yet, these performances are very family friendly!
Children’s Holiday Theatre in Lake County
The Nutcracker
Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences
10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire | 847-6334-0200
November 11-December 30
Tickets: $17.23
A new musical of this classic tale comes to life for children of all ages when Marie receives a beautiful nutcracker for Christmas from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. When the Nutcracker comes to life, it’s a magical journey to reach the Sugar Plum fairy before the wicked Mouse King. A special one-hour presentation for kids of all ages, featuring Tchaikovsky’s beautiful dance music!
A Wolf at the Door
Three Brothers Theater
115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan | (224) 419-4325
November/December
Wander through the enchanted forest with that wicked wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, Peter and the Wolf, and the Three Little Pigs. He’ll coax, cajole, and charm to get just a little, tasty morsel of food. But never fear! The other characters in the forest have some tricks of their own up their sleeves.
It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play
The Kirk Players
Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein | 847-521-6192
November 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., November 19 and 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 Adults, $10 Children (includes a meal)
Enjoy a captivating, live 1940’s radio broadcast that tells the story of an idealistic George Bailey as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve in this beloved holiday classic.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest | (847) 735-8554
November 18 - December 18th.
Tickets: Tickets are $35 Thursdays and Fridays and matinees, and $38 Saturdays and Sundays. Discounts are available for seniors, and students.
To me, it is not Christmas time until you see the movie A Christmas Story, however this year you can see the musical. A Christmas Story, The Musical is a brilliant take on the classic holiday movie. The play is about Ralphie’s hilariously desperate quest for a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200 shot range model air rifle. All of your favorite highlights are here – the Old Man’s leg lamp, the tongue-on-a-flagpole, the bunny suit, and all of Ralphie’s extravagant daydreams all set to a musical production. The whole family will enjoy this Tony nominated best musical.
A Christmas Carol
P, M & L Theatre
877 Main St., Antioch | (847) 395-3433
Friday Dec 2, 2016 - Sunday Dec 18, 2016
Tickets: $10, $13 and $15.
A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old miser, who receives visits from his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, and who becomes a kinder, gentler, transformed man because of the encounters.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Libertyville Covenant Church
Libertyville Covenant Church, 250 S. St. Mary’s Rd., Libertyville
December 11
Tickets: Free
Come see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! at Libertyville Covenant Church on December 11th at 5:00 p.m. This is a free event we are hosting for the community. This play is a wonderful story full of laughter and heart and fun for the entire family. Childcare will be provided at no cost for infants and toddlers.
Worth the Trip
If you are willing to head outside of the area here are a few other great shows happening this season:
Cinderella
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights | 847-577-2121
November 10-12
Tickets: Adults $14, Children $10.
The prince is giving a ball and every girl in the kingdom is hoping to be the one he chooses for a bride, including Cinderella. Mistreated by her step-mother and step-sisters, Cinderella spends her days in the corner dreaming and wishing for a different life. A visit from Cinderella’s Godmother teaches her that if you wish hard enough even foolish dreams come true. Recommended for children in grades K-8.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Emerald City Theatre, Apollo Theatre
2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago | 773-529-2690
November 11 - January 8 (mostly weekends)
Tickets: Prices vary according to seat location.
‘Tis the season to celebrate everyone’s favorite Peanuts pals as they dig past the commercialized gimmicks of presents and decorations to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Through a pageant and a spindly tree, Charlie Brown and friends bring the holiday spirit back to life for families once again! “And for Charlie Brown, it was truly the merriest Christmas ever.”
A Christmas Carol
Spotlight Youth Theater
Alverno College/Pitman Theatre
3431 S. 43rd St., Milwaukee, WI | (847)516-2298
December 1-4
See website for ticket prices.
An old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, is visited by three spirits who attempt to show him that there is more to life than his love of money. A tour of Scrooge’s past, present and future has him witnessing London Christmas celebrations of all shapes and sizes. Written by Alan Menken (Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid) and Lynn Ahrens (Seussical), the classic Dickens tale gets Broadway-style treatment with sweeping melodies and emotional lyrics. This magical Christmas tale will leave you filled with the true spirit of Christmas and shouting “God Bless us, every one!”
Elf the Musical, Jr.
Spotlight Youth Theater
Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main Street (entrance on Wilson), Batavia | (847)516-2298
December 8-11th
Adults $12, children $10
Elf the musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and his step-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf. After all “the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
What is your favorite holiday theater production?
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