Weekend picks: Start a 'Nutcracker' tradition

Posted December 24, 2011 5:00 am

By Laura Milbrath Stewart and Scott C. Morgan

Clara (Anastacia Holden) is given a Nutcracker by Dr. Drosselmeyer (Matthew Adamczyk) in the Joffrey Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker."

Nutcracker of the week

Time is running out to catch “The Nutcracker” this holiday season. Why not splurge on Chicago's biggest and most lavish production courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet, which presents the classic Tchaikovsky ballet at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$115. (800) 982-2787 or joffrey.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24

‘Symphony in Lights'

The annual “Symphony in Lights” holiday show features more than 250,000 brightly colored lights twinkling to the sounds of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Free. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com. Begins at 5 p.m. and runs every hour on the hour until 9 p.m. daily through Saturday, Dec. 31

Christmas at Timothy O'Toole's

After all of the Christmas cookies are eaten and the packages are unwrapped, head out to Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 5572 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee, on Sunday afternoon to watch the Chicago Bears take on the Green Bay Packers on television. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No cover charge. (847) 249-0800 or timothyotooles.com. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25

Un-kosher songs

Sean Altman, formerly of Rockapella, returns to Skokie to offer decidedly un-kosher comedy songs in his show “Jewmongous!” Sunday at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $18-$25. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com. 8 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25

A Christmas ‘wedding'

The group Wedding Banned performs hits from the 1980s to the present, as they headline a Christmas evening of rock 'n' roll at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. A “bride” and “groom” will be selected from the audience to take part in the show. Admission is $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25

Looking for the log

The Yule Log Hunt returns for its 34th year at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Visitors receive a list of clues to look for the 6-foot yule log. Once it's found, they return for a log-sawing celebration, a bonfire, caroling by the Frozen Robins singers and spiced cider. A self-guided “Yule Twig Hunt” for youngsters takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Children's Garden. Free with paid $8-$11 admission to the arboretum. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26

More than 250,000 lights twinkle during the Promenade Bolingbrooks annual Symphony in Lights show. Courtesy of the Promenade Bolingbrook

Sean Altman performs his un-kosher comedy show Jewmongous at the Skokie Theatre on Sunday.

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