Best Bets: Joffrey's 'Nutcracker' returns, Alice Cooper heads to Genesee

Posted November 28, 2019 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

The Joffrey Ballet's version of "The Nutcracker," inspired by Chicago's influential 1893 Columbian Exposition, returns to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Courtesy of Cheryl Mann, Joffrey Ballet

Columbian Expo Christmas

The Joffrey Ballet returns to present Christopher Wheeldon's 2016 version of "The Nutcracker," which was re-centered around Chicago's iconic 1893 Columbian Exposition. The Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet starts this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $35-$179. (312) 341-2310 or joffrey.org. 29 performances from Saturday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 29

A Cirque holiday

See a new holiday stage circus spectacular with "'Twas the Night Before ..." by Cirque du Soleil, which starts this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $30-$133.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 17 performances from Friday, Nov. 29, to Sunday, Dec. 8

Interactive comedy

Find out the wackiest myths and most outrageous facts about the season with a special suburban performance of "Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night" by Vicki Quade, a co-creator of the smash hit "Late Nite Catechism." The interactive comedy is tonight at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29

Taylor talks

Fans of comedian Taylor Williamson from his 2013 run on "America's Got Talent" won't want to miss seeing him in a series of standup sets this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Pop gathering

Meet with comics vendors, "Land of the Lost" stars and more at the Chicago Pop Culture Convention this weekend at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $12; free admission for kids ages 12 and under. (715) 526-9769 or chicagopopculturecon.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Cooper in concert

Hear song hits such as "School's Out," "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and more when Alice Cooper brings the "Ol' Black Eyes is Back" tour on Saturday to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $60-$770. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30

Tribute time

Get a big dose of holiday music performed in classic rock style with the touring tribute show "A Million Dollar Christmas: Presley, Perkins, Lewis & Cash" on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $45-$65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Fox 'Nutcracker'

Professional dancers perform alongside students and families from local dance studios for "The Fox Valley Nutcracker." Fox Valley Ballet presents its version of the classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet this weekend at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $25-$42; $20-$42 kids ages 10 and under. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

The Joffrey Ballet's version of "The Nutcracker," inspired by Chicago's influential 1893 Columbian Exposition, returns to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University from Saturday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 29. Courtesy of Cheryl Mann, Joffrey Ballet

Alice Cooper brings his "Ol' Black Eyes is Back" tour to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Associated Press, 2019

Comedian Taylor Williamson of "America's Got Talent" fame is set to perform at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg. Courtesy of NBC

Vicki Quade brings her interactive holiday show "Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night" to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Courtesy of Vicki Quade

Article Comments

Article Categories
Entertainment Music Performing Arts

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.