Spotlight: Drury Lane, Strawdog, Goodman and Second City theaters shift into holiday mode

Glad tidings

Drury Lane Theatre celebrates the season with its revival of "Holiday Inn," the Irving Berlin tuner adapted from the 1942 film about a crooner named Jim Hardy, who retires from show business and opens a Connecticut inn open only on holidays. All's well until his former partner, Ted Hanover, shows up threatening Jim's inn and his romance with comely schoolteacher Linda. Matt Crowle directs and choreographs.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, through Dec. 1 at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The show opens Dec. 2. $59-$74, with dinner-theater packages available. COVID-19 precautions: Patrons must wear masks. (630) 530-0111 or drurylanetheatre.com.

'Frozen' tour

The national tour of "Frozen" comes to Chicago. Adapted from the hit Disney film, the musical is about princess sisters Elsa and Anna, whose close bond is severed when Elsa inadvertently injures Anna with her magic. Years later, afraid of her own power, Queen Elsa flees the kingdom pursued by Anna who tries to persuade her to return to the kingdom. Caroline Bowman plays Elsa and Caroline Innerbichler plays Anna in the Broadway in Chicago production.

Friday, Nov. 19, through Jan. 22 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $29.50-$154.50. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time or an antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. No one younger than 2 will be admitted according to COVID-19 protocol. Masks are mandatory. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

'Hershel' returns

Strawdog Theatre Company remounts its family favorite play-with-music "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins," adapted from Eric Kimmel's book about young Hershel of Ostropol who outsmarts the goblins haunting the local synagogue and preventing the members from celebrating Hanukkah. The production features music and lyrics by Jacob Combs and puppets by Caitlin McLeod and Foiles.

1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. Performances are at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 12. Free. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours prior to entry) or negative antigen test (taken no more than 6 hours before entry). Masks are mandatory for everyone 2 and older. See strawdog.org.

Goodman's 'Carol'

Larry Yando returns for his 14th season as Ebenezer Scrooge in Goodman Theatre's 44th annual "A Christmas Carol." The in-person production follows last year's audio streamed version made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic. Allen Gilmore will play Scrooge for nine performances during the run of the show, which is directed by Jessica Thebus, who co-adapted and directed last year's audio version. This year also marks the debut of Gayatri Gadhvi as Tiny Tim.

Previews at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, through Nov. 27 at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 28. $25-$121. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination for everyone 12 and older; a recent negative COVID-19 test for everyone younger than 12. Masks are mandatory. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org/carol.

Sober comedy

Radio personality Harry Teinowitz "takes sobriety seriously" in his play "When Harry Met Rehab." Co-written with former ESPN personality Spike Manton, the semi-autobiographical comedy is loosely based on the experiences of Teinowitz and the folks who helped him get sober. The production stars TV favorites Dan Butler ("Frasier," "Roseanne") and Emmy Award-winner Melissa Gilbert ("Little House on the Prairie").

Previews at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, through Dec. 4 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 5. $42-$85. COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test and masks mandatory. (773) 404-7336 or whenharrymetrehab.com.

In other news

Check with venues regarding COVID-19 precautions.

• Black Ensemble Theater presents the next in its ongoing cabaret series "Ladies Living and Loving Life," starring Rhonda Preston and Arzula Gardner as sisters who own separate nightclubs on Chicago's North and South Side. Over the course of the show, Preston and Gardner introduce audiences to their respective neighborhoods through jazz, rock and pop standards. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago. $45. Seating is limited and masks are mandatory. (773) 769-4451 or blackensemble.org.

• Chicago Children's Theatre presents its seasonal show "The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party" from Saturday, Nov. 20, through Dec. 24, at 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. The puppet show consists of four Potter tales featuring some of the author's favorite characters. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masks mandatory for everyone 12 and older. (312) 374-8835 or chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

• Comedy returns to the Venus Cabaret Theater in the Mercury Theater at 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, on Sunday, Nov. 21. Abi Sanchez, Victoria Vincent, Tyler Fowler and Casey Larwood perform at 7:30 p.m. Actor/comedian Scott Duff hosts. See mercurytheaterchicago.com.

• The Second City touring company performs "The Second City's Best of the Holidays" beginning Monday, Nov. 22. The show runs Monday through Wednesday at the UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago, and 3 p.m. Saturday on the main stage at 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

• Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, hosts "A Comedy Jam with Lance Richards" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. Appearing with Richards is comedian Steven Haas and emcee Tim Benker. $30. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masks mandatory. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

• Teatro Vista announced its new season, dubbed "Futurology" in recognition of its commitment to producing live and virtual productions that push boundaries and encompass a variety of artistic disciplines. The season begins in winter 2022 with the animated work "Detective Q," to be viewed on the company's YouTube and social media pages. That's followed in spring 2022 by the in-person production of "Somewhere Over the Border," Brian Quijada's play inspired by his mother's journey from her native El Salvador to the United States. Next up in summer 2022 is "La Vuelta," Isaac Gomez's digital exploration of how a person's existence has ripple effects among other people. The season concludes in fall 2022 with "The Fifth World," a serial audio play by ensemble member Gabriel Ruiz. Rooted in Aztec myths and set during a pandemic, it's about a man producing a true crime story about a missing child. Performance dates and location to be determined. See teatrovista.org.

- Barbara Vitello