From Rudolph to comedy: 5 ideas for the weekend

Posted December 18, 2015 10:30 am

Daily Herald staff report

“Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer: The Musical” plays the Rosemont Theatre this weekend.

It's hard to escape the holidays this weekend, so why try? From a holiday variety show to “The Nutcracker,” here are five ideas for the weekend ahead. For others, go to dailyherald.com/entertainment.

Nose so bright

Journey to the Land of Misfit Toys, meet an elf who wants to be a dentist and see how an ostracized reindeer strives to be accepted when the tour of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical” plays the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com or rudolphthemusical.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.

Comedy in St. Charles

Russ Williamson, who moved to Chicago from New Jersey to begin his career as a stand-up comedian and wound up as an actor on NBC's “Chicago Fire,” headlines Zanies Comedy Club at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20, plus a two-item minimum (630) 524-0001 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.

Tchaikovsky classic

Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet teams up with the New Philharmonic for performances of "The Nutcracker" at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

The New Philharmonic teams up again with Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet for suburban performances of “The Nutcracker” at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $43; $32 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

Celebrate in Elgin

A holiday variety show, including music and dance performances from local Elgin groups like the Eastern Groove Studio, Urban Dance Concept, the Elgin Master Chorale and many others, takes center stage at the Elgin Celebrates The Holidays event at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. GreenRoom Improv, the current resident improv troupe at the center, serves as masters of ceremonies. $10; proceeds benefit performing arts groups in Elgin. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

Holiday crooner

Ron Hawking brings his Christmas Show to Austin's Fuel Room in Libertyville on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Singer Ron Hawking performs an intimate Christmas Show at Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. $35-$75. (847) 549-1972 or austinsaloon.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

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