Child’s Play Touring Theatre brings Christmas show to North Central

Child’s Play Touring Theatre will present two performances of “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t” Saturday, Dec. 14, at North Central College.

The performances begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the college’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.

Tickets, $12 for adults and $6 for children younger than 12, are available through the North Central College Box Office at (630) 637-7469 or online at northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. An optional dessert reception is available between performances for an additional $4 per ticket.

Based entirely from stories written by children, this hourlong show provides a behind-the-scenes look at the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.

Throughout the show, audiences will be introduced to “Dinky the Dancing Reindeer,” who can’t decide whether she wants to become a dancer or a member of the sleigh team, almost causing Santa not to get off the ground.

In “How Santa Got Well,” an illness keeps Santa at home on Christmas Eve until a cure comes from the most unlikely of places.

“Santa and the Witch” features Santa falling under a sleeping spell by a witch whose heart has turned to ice. A special toy by the elves is needed to change her mind about Christmas before it’s too late.

This performance features a lot of audience participation including music, dancing and guest actors pulled from the crowd, providing fun for children and adults alike.

Child’s Play Touring Theatre is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that strives to guide, inspire and encourage children’s creativity.

All performances by Child’s Play actors are adapted from poems and stories written by children. Child’s Play has toured throughout the United States for more than three decades, reaching more than 4 million children, educators and adults through workshops, performances, after-school programs, residencies and summer camps. Noteworthy Child’s Play alumni include Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond and Adam McKay. Visit cptt.org to learn more.