Theater events: Improv Playhouse remounts 'It's a Wonderful Life'

Posted December 13, 2016 5:00 am

'Wonderful Life'

Improv Playhouse remounts its radio adaptation of "It's a Wonderful Life," Frank Capra's 1946 holiday classic about everyman George Bailey who glimpses how his community would have fared had he never been born. David Brian Stuart directs and stars as George. Egon Schein, of Libertyville, plays Clarence the angel, who takes George under his wing, and Mr. Potter, the greedy developer who wants to pull the rug out from under him. 4:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $20. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Quest Ensemble incorporates large-scale puppets to tell the story of Jesus Christ's birth in its production of "Blue Nativity," now in its 15th year. Courtesy of Quest Ensemble

'Blue Nativity'

Quest Theatre Ensemble commences its annual mini-tour of its "Blue Nativity" show in Schaumburg on Friday. Conceived and written by artistic director Andrew Park, Quest's retelling of the birth of Christ features large puppets and is accompanied by live music to serve, Park says, as a "reminder that a simple light can rise from complicated darkness." 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Christ Community Mennonite Church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Free, but donations are accepted. Subsequent performances take place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, and Jan. 1 at Chicago churches. (312) 458-0895 or questensemble.org.

LOL holiday show

Laugh Out Loud ensemble members riff comedic on holiday traditions including gift exchanges and family reunions as part of the comedy club's "Yet Another Holiday Show." Early performances of the improv show are family-friendly. Late shows are for adults only. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17, and Dec. 23 and 30 at 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $20 adults, $12 kids. (847) 240-0386 or laughoutloudtheater.com.

Other theater events

• The Ruffians remount their acclaimed holiday show "Burning Bluebeard" for three performances Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18, at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Inspired by the 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire, "Burning Bluebeard" tells the story of six clowns who attempt to complete the Christmas pantomime that was interrupted by a massive fire that claimed more than 600 lives. Performances are sold out, but theatergoers can put their names on a waitlist one hour before curtain to have a shot at unclaimed seats. See goruffians.org.

• Theatre-Hikes hosts On The Rocks, a comedy improv fundraiser beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $10, $15 for a couple. See theatre-hikes.org.

• 2nd Story, a storytelling collective, tells tales at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Steppenwolf Theatre's 1700 Theatre as part of the theater's LookOut performance series. Composer/arranger Jaret Landon hosts a holiday concert featuring cast members from Steppenwolf's production of "The Christians" at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Both performances take place at 1700 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

• The Joyce Foundation, whose Joyce Awards support artists of color in Great Lakes cities, recently awarded The Free Street Theater $50,000 for the company's commission of "Meet Juan(Ito) Doe," a new play by Ricardo Gamboa. The foundation also awarded $50,000 to The Old Town School of Folk Music for the commission of a new work titled "Quantum Music/Englewood" by saxophonist/composer Ernest Dawkins and percussionist/sitar player Rahul Sharma.

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.