Spotlight: ‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical’ welcomes holidays
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch
Ideal for Who’s of every age, the family-friendly “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” runs 85 minutes to better accommodate young audience members. The show features such favorites as “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas.”
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, Thursday, Dec. 21, and Friday, Dec. 22, and Dec. 26-29; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 27; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 23 and 30; 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $31.50-$121.50. broadwayinchicago.com.
Second City stages ‘What the Elf?’
The Second City returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre with “What the Elf?” a seasonal sketch comedy revue that sends up everything from office parties to family gatherings to holiday films.
7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 18-20 and Dec. 26-31, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $35-$50. (847) 522-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Eleanor’s wish
Elizabeth Bushnell plays the titular ragdoll in Citadel Theatre’s “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish – The Musical,” adapted by Denise McGowan Tracy from her children’s book about a ragdoll living with Santa at the North Pole who wishes for a best friend and a home of her own. Performances take place during the day and early evening to accommodate families with young children.
6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 20-21; 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and 26-29; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 23, 30 and 31, at the Lake Forest School District West Campus building, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. $20. (847) 735-8554 or citadeltheatre.org.
‘Shrek’ on stage
Music Theater Works closes out 2023 with “Shrek: The Musical.” Adapted from the hit 2001 film about the ogre who teams up with Donkey and embarks on a magnificent quest to battle a dragon and rescue Princess Fiona, director Johanna McKenzie Miller’s revival stars Jordan DeBose as Shrek.
Previews at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, and 8 p.m. Dec. 22, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Dec. 23. $39-$106. (847) 673-6300 or musictheaterworks.com.
Merry Kitmas
On the Planet of the Cats on Kitmas Eve, two impatient kittens eager to open their Kitmas gifts early fiddle around with an ancient artifact and mistakenly vanish their mother in “Space Cat Holidays.” Created and written by John Enright, The Otherworld Theatre show is family-friendly. Additionally, a portion of the box office proceeds benefits Chicago’s Tree House Humane Society.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 7 at 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15. otherworldtheatre.org.