'Wonderful Life' adaptation at Hemmens
NC Stage Company and Immediate Theatre Project present "It's a Wonderful Life: Live From WVL Radio Theatre," a radio play adaptation of Frank Capra's classic 1946 film about an everyman who discovers no one is truly bereft who has friends.
Info: 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45, Symphony Way, Elgin. (847) 931-6007 or hemmens.org.
'Magi' times 2
Two DuPage County theater companies celebrate the season with alternate versions of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." Evergreen Theatre Ensemble re-imagines the story about love and self-sacrifice as a time-shifting tale with contemporary references and talking reindeer. Bird and Baby Theatre's traditional take retains the 1905 setting and features preshow caroling.
EverGreen's production runs Friday, Dec. 4, to Dec. 19, at the Naperville Women's Club, 14 S. Washington St., Naperville. (630) 544-9504 or evergreentheatreensemble.org. Bird and Baby's production runs Wednesday, Dec. 9, to Dec. 19, at Wheaton Academy High School, 900 Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago. (630) 876-2351 or birdandbabytheatre.com.
'Carol' retold
Actor/playwright Tom Mula examines Jacob Marley's afterlife and his attempts to redeem his former partner Scrooge in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol." Organic Theater Company brings this alternate take on Charles Dickens' tale to Naperville's North Central College for a brief run.
Info: Runs Thursday, Dec. 10, to Sunday, Dec. 13, at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show.