Theater: 'Carol' re-imagined in Highland Park

'Carol' re-imagined

Northwestern University graduate Alexandra Shields stars as Scrooge in the Improv Playhouse and GreenStick Theater Company production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Adapter Shane Tarpley re-imagined the story in the 1940s, with Shields playing Scrooge as an androgynous character. Taylor Pasche directs. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at The Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $28.50. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Nothing like a dame

Angela Ingersoll, who earned raves for her performance as Judy Garland in Porchlight Music Theatre's "End of the Rainbow," brings her one-woman holiday show to the Elgin Community College Arts Center. In "The 12 Dames of Christmas," Ingersoll channels famous chanteuses including Julie Andrews, Edith Piaf and Marilyn Monroe performing such holiday favorites as "Santa Baby" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $30. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu.

Scary tales

Irish Theatre of Chicago begins its 2016-2017 season with a revival of Conor McPherson's ghost story "The Weir." Guest artist Brad Smith joins ensemble members Bradley Armacost, Jeff Christian, Dan Waller and Sarah Wellington in this drama set in an Irish pub where several regulars try to impress a young woman with tales of the supernatural. Siiri Scott directs. The preview is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 16. $12-$30. See irishtheatreofchicago.org.

Other theater events

• Theo Ubique presents "Honky Tonk Angels," a country music review by Ted Swindley, creator of "Always ... Patsy Cline." Colette Todd, Jacquelyne Jones and Leryn Turlington play singers trying to make it big in Nashville in this jukebox show featuring such country western classics as "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "Stand By Your Man." Previews begin Friday, Dec. 9, at the No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The show opens Monday, Dec. 12. (800) 595-4849 or theo-u.com.

• Fury Theatre immerses audience members in the world of Charles Dickens with "A Christmas Carol: An Evening of Dickensian Delights" adapted from Dickens' novel by Rachel Martindale and performed in a Tudor-style setting. Three actors play all the roles in this production, which runs Friday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec. 18, at Indian Boundary Park, 2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago. See furytheatre.org.

• Promethean Theatre Ensemble presents a gender-blind production of Moises Kaufman's "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde." The play recounts Wilde's libel and criminal trials spurred on by his homosexuality. In director Brian Pastor's revival, women take on roles typically played by men: Wilde; the young man with whom he had an affair and attorney Edward Carson. "At its core, this is a play about being one's self and about whether the government, society or anyone else has the right to tell us if that's OK," said Pastor in a prepared statement. The preview is Friday, Dec. 9, at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. The show opens Saturday, Dec. 10. See prometheantheatre.org.

• Previews begin Friday, Dec. 9, for The Second City's 105th main stage revue, "The Winner ... of Our Discontent," a post-election examination of the state of our nation from the left, right and wrong. The show opens Thursday, Dec. 15, at 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 664-4032 or secondcity.com/.

• Steppenwolf Theatre's 1700 Theatre, at 1700 N. Halsted St., Chicago, stages a mashup by playwright Ike Holter titled "Stay Lit." Part of the company's Look series, the short play combines songs, monologues and scenes to tell the story of a group of people, driven, on edge and spiraling out of control. The adults-only show runs at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org/lookout.

• TUTA Theatre Chicago hosts its fundraiser "Drinking With the Experts: A TUTA Party" from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at 4670 N. Manor Ave., Chicago. The evening includes cocktails and conversation with documentary filmmaker Daniel Billups, DNAinfo Chicago reporter Mina Bloom, musician Paul Karner, graphic novelist Pat Loboyko, neuroscientist Boleslaw Osinski and WBEZ reporter Patrick Smith among others. The suggested minimum donation is $35, payable at the door. See tutato.com.

• The Artistic Home re-imagines as a radio play "Miracle on 34th Street," the 1947 film about a man playing Santa for Macy's department store who claims to be the real Santa Claus. Kathy Scambiaterra directs the production, which runs Saturday, Dec. 10, through Sunday, Dec. 18, at 1376 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. See theartistichome.org.

• For its inaugural production, newcomer Red Crescendo Theatre Company revives "Godspell," the musical based on the life of Jesus Christ by composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and writer John Michael Tebelak. Red Crescendo performs 2012's updated version of the 1970 show. Performances run Saturday, Dec. 10, through Sunday, Dec. 18, at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 598-4549 or gorillatango theatre.com.

• "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular" pairs acrobats, aerialists and clowns with a live orchestra performing holiday songs. A performance of the show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. (847) 671-5400 or rosemont.com/theatre.

• The LIVINGroom solo performance series continues at Stage 773 with "The Grown-Ups' Table" during which solo artists recount tales of holidays with the family. The performance is at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 327-5252 or stage773.com.

• Christian magician and illusionist Luke Babylon brings his show - which pairs tricks with stories of salvation - to the Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, for two shows. Babylon performs "Luke Babylon: The Christian Magician" Sunday, Dec. 11 and 18. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.

• Everyman comedian Rocky LaPorte, a veteran of NBC's "Last Comic Standing," headlines the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Part of Metropolis' comedy series, "An Evening With Rocky LaPorte" takes place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

• Pride Films and Plays' holiday shows include SheFest, a showcase of female-identified storytellers, comedians, spoken-word artists, musicians and dancers, which runs Monday, Dec. 12. Transgender entertainer Honey West hosts the adults-only "Unwrapped: XXXmas Cabaret" on Saturday, Dec. 17. Performances take place at 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. (800) 737-0984 or pridefilmsandplays.com.

• Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" returns to Chicago as part of its latest national tour. Performances run from Wednesday, Dec. 14, through Jan. 8 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• Performances continue for Black Ensemble Theatre's 40th anniversary remount of its signature show, "The Other Cinderella," a "retelling of the familiar fairy tale with an Afro-centric twist." Jessica Seals and Mark J.P. Hood star as Cinderella and her Prince. Performances run through Jan. 8 at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 769-4451 or blackensemble.org.

• Steppenwolf Theatre has extended "The Fundamentals," Erika Sheffer's workplace drama about employees of a boutique hotel willing to sacrifice their integrity for professional advancement. Performances continue through Dec. 31 at 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

• Huggable Riot's final 2016 sketch revue "Claus and Effect" continues at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. The irreverent, adults-only, holiday-themed show runs Wednesdays through Jan. 4. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.

• Genesis Theatrical Productions' 2017 season begins May 18 with the Chicago-area premiere of Shirley Lauro's "The Radiant," about the life of pioneering scientist Marie Curie's struggle for acceptance. That's followed on Aug. 24 by "Sister Africa," Stephanie Liss' semi-autobiographical account of efforts to aid female victims of Congo's civil war. Both productions will take place at The Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Also on tap for 2017 is Savyon Liebrecht's "The Banality of Love," which examines the love affair between political theorist Hannah Arendt, a Jew, and philosopher Martin Heidegger, a Nazi-sympathizer. Dates and location to be announced. Details about the company's Halloween show, "The Little Witch of Wichita," and its Christmas show, "True Magic," will be announced later. See genesis theatricals.com.

• Two world premieres and a Midwest premiere make up Rivendell Theatre Ensemble's 2017 season, titled "The Mind/Body Connection" and comprised of stories told from the female perspective. The season opens in January with the premiere of Julie Jensen's "Winter," about a woman who takes matters into her own hands after her brilliant mind begins to dim. That's followed in April by the premiere of Lynn Rosen's "The Firebirds Take the Field," a tale inspired by a true story, about a neuroscientist who returns to her hometown to help diagnose a mysterious ailment afflicting 18 high school cheerleaders. The season concludes in September with the Midwest premiere of William Francis Hoffman's "Cal in Camo" about a new mother who has difficulty loving her baby and husband. Performances take place at 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. Season subscriptions range from $59 to $80. (773) 334-7728 or rivendelltheatre.org.

• The Joseph Jefferson Committee recently announced it will move its 44th annual non-equity Jeff Award ceremony recognizing excellence in nonunion Chicago theater to The Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The ceremony, which honors storefront productions staged from April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017, will be held June 5. See jeffawards.org.