Light Opera Works to present 'Pirates of Penzance'
An apprentice pirate falls in love with a major-general's daughter in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, "The Pirates of Penzance," the latest production from Light Opera Works. Making his LOW debut in the role of the young apprentice Frederic is Matthew Giebel. Alicia Berneche plays his beloved Mabel, and Michael Cavalieri plays the pirate king.
Opens Saturday, Dec. 26, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. (847) 869-6300 or lightoperaworks.com.
Griffin and Osetek unite
Directors Gary Griffin and William Osetek team up to help Drury Lane Oak Brook Theatre's revival of "Funny Girl," the Jule Styne/Bob Merrill musical inspired by the life of Ziegfeld Follies star Fannie Brice. The show marks the return of associate producer Griffin to the West suburban theater where Osetek serves as artistic director. Sara Sheperd from Broadway's "Cry-Baby, The Musical" and Paul Anthony Stewart ("Fiddler on the Roof") star as Fanny and her gambler husband Nick Arnstein.
Begins previews Thursday, Dec. 31, at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The show opens Jan. 7. (630) 530-0111 or drurylaneoakbrook.com.
NYE at Noble Fool
Noble Fool ushers in 2010 with the return of "Defending the Caveman," Rob Becker's comic take on the gender gap. The New Year's Eve performance includes party favors and champagne toast for $50 per person.
Runs Thursday, Dec. 31, to Jan. 3 at the Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342 or noblefool.org.
What's new
• The clowns who make up Aga-Boom bring their family-friendly, slapstick and circus arts-inspired show to Centre East at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The clowns perform from Saturday, Dec. 26, to Monday, Dec. 28. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.
• WGN radio personality Steve Cochran hosts his annual "New Year's Eve Show for People Who Can't Stay Awake Until Midnight" beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Comedians Tim Clue, Patty Vasquez and John Da Cosse and crooner Ron Hawking join Cochran for the all-ages show. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.
• Jeff Award-winning actress E. Faye Butler ("Caroline, or Change," "Ella") and her trio perform classic American songs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec., 31, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.
• National Pastime Theater ushers in 2010 with the adults-only "Play of Life," which features a masked ball, music, open bar, food and performance pieces by The Living Canvas. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at 4139 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $100 per person, $175 per couple. A portion of the proceeds goes to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For more information, see newyearsmasquerade.com.
• Cast members from Theo Ubique's production of "Man of La Mancha" perform as part of the theater's New Year's Eve celebration on Thursday, Dec. 31, at No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The event includes a cabaret show, open bar, snacks, midnight toast and party favors. (773) 347-1109 or theoubique.org.