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Spotlight: Jeff winner in concert at Lincolnshire’s Marriott Theatre

‘Songs From the Bench’

Kaitlyn Davis, who last month received a Joseph Jefferson award for her performance as Carole King in Marriott Theatre’s “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” returns for an evening showcasing pianists-turned-Broadway-icons in her show “Songs From the Bench: Kaitlyn Davis in Concert.” Featured composers include King, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson and Jason Robert Brown among others. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $75. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Fairy tale tuner for kids

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences concludes its season with an hourlong version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” starring Jaeda LaVonne, in her Marriott debut, as the titular character. Each performance is followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast. Previews at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 15-17 and 20-22, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Nov. 23. $15.75. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Neil Diamond bio-musical

“A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical” stops briefly at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre as part of its North American tour. The bio-tuner tells the story of the Brooklyn-born singer/songwriter who started out writing songs at New York City’s legendary Brill Building and went on to become the Grammy Award winner and rock ’n’ roll Hall of Famer responsible for hits such as “Sweet Caroline,” “I am … I Said,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” “America,” and “Cracklin’ Rosie” among others. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 15 and 22; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 16 and 23; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Thursday, Nov. 21; 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20; and 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $66.50-$320. broadwayinchicago.

Melody Rowland and Beck Hokanson play young lovers in Citadel Theatre's revival of the 1930s-style musical “Dames at Sea.” Courtesy of Ralph Durham

Nothing like a dame

When a group of theater artists rehearsing a new Broadway show learn their theater is going to be demolished, they transfer the production to a ship in “Dames at Sea,” by composer Jim Wise and writer/lyricist George Haimsohn. The show parodies 1930s Busby Berkeley-style musicals in which a chorus girl steps into the lead role and becomes a star. Citadel Theatre’s revival stars Melody Rowland as ingenue Ruby and Beck Hokanson as Dick, the sailor and aspiring songwriter who catches her eye. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 20-21 and through Dec. 15, at the West Campus building of the Lake Forest School District, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, $45. (847) 735-8554, ext. 1, or citadeltheatre.org.

Christopher Donahue plays Ebenezer Scrooge in Goodman Theatre's annual production of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol.” Courtesy of Goodman Theatre

Goodman’s ‘Carol’

For the first time in 16 years, Goodman Theatre welcomes a new Ebenezer Scrooge. Christopher Donahue plays the famous miser in the theater’s 47th annual production of Charles Dickens’ classic, which features Ava Rose Doty as Tiny Tim and Anthony Irons as Tim’s father, Bob Cratchit. Crafting the play is like weaving a quilt, said director Jessica Thebus in a prepared statement. “The fabric is strong, and the pattern is familiar, but details can be added to keep it fresh and new. With actors bringing their own stories and experiences to the quilt in unpredictable ways,” she said. Previews at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 and 23; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17; 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 19-21; and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 24. $25-$149. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Richard Marsh stars in Broadway in Chicago's production of “Yippee Ki Yay (the parody celebration of “Die Hard”)” at the Broadway Playhouse. Courtesy of Rod Penn

‘Die Hard’ redux

Thirty-six years after the film premiered, Broadway in Chicago presents Richard Marsh’s “Die Hard”-inspired comedy “Yippee Ki Yay (the parody celebration of “Die Hard”).” Performed in rhyme, the show recounts John McClane’s efforts to rescue hostages held in a Los Angeles skyscraper while also telling the story of a lifelong “Die Hard” fan. Marsh stars in the limited four-week run at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 19-21, and Nov. 26; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 and through Dec. 15 at 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. $36.50-$81.50. broadwayinchicago.com.

Holiday hilarity

The Second City returns to Aurora’s Copley Theatre to skewer all things Christmas in its holiday send-up “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Sweater.” The show includes seasonal songs, skits and improv. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21; 8 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23; and 3 p.m. Nov. 24 and through Dec. 23 at 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $43. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

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