Local theater: Holidays with a 'Twist'
Twist-a-Carol
Elgin's Vex Theatre presents the third, all-new installment of its annual “Twist-a-Carol” holiday show. Titled “All About Eve” and inspired by the classic Joseph L. Mankiewicz film starring Bette Davis as an aging Broadway diva and Anne Baxter as the upstart who schemes to supplant her, the show centers on Christmas Eve who is in danger of being usurped by New Year's Eve.
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. $10. (847) 991-8081 or vextheatre.org.
Counter programming
Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company counters the holiday fare dominating city and suburban stages this month with a revival of Tennessee Williams' “The Glass Menagerie,” about a family unable to face reality, who take comfort instead in dreams and illusions. Ensemble member Hans Fleischmann directs the production, which features an original score by Daniel Knox.
Previews continue at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8, at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago. The show opens at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9. $25. (773) 871-0442 or maryarrchie.com.
Second City in Aurora
Second City returns to the Paramount Theatre once again with its adults-only “Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” skewering holiday traditions involving gifts, gatherings, relationships and even beloved seasonal characters. The show also includes some seasonal improvisation.
Opens Thursday, Dec. 13, and runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23, at the Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.