Theater

Spotlight: Northlight premieres ‘Little Women’ adaptation

Posted November 26, 2024 8:31 am

Yourtana Sulaiman, left, Tyler Meredith, Demetra Dee and Janyce Caraballo play the March sisters in Northlight Theatre's rolling premiere of Lauren Gunderson's adaptation of “Little Women.” Courtesy of Jeffrey L. Kurysz

Northlight premiere

Northlight Theatre is the first of four U.S. theaters participating in the rolling premiere of “Little Women,” adapted by playwright Lauren Gunderson from Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel about four sisters growing up in New England during the Civil War. Associate artistic director Georgette Verdin directs Tyler Meredith, Janyce Caraballo, Demetra Dee and Yourtana Sulaiman, who play the March sisters. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, and Tuesday, Dec. 3; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1; and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Dec. 5. $39-$91. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

Jacob Marley’s story

Jacob Marley shares his side of Ebenezer Scrooge’s story in Lifeline Theatre’s revival of Tom Mula’s “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” a retelling of “A Christmas Carol” in which Marley redeems himself by setting Scrooge on his path of redemption. Ensemble member Phil Timberlake plays Marley and 18 other characters in the solo show. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 6. $25-$45. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

American Blues Theater's 23rd annual production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” features Dara Cameron, left, Brandon Dahlquist, Audrey Billings and Michael Mahler (at the piano). Courtesy of Michael Brosilow

Heartwarming ‘Wonderful Life’ returns

Brandon Dahlquist reprises his role as George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live From Chicago!,” American Blues Theater’s 1940s radio-play retelling of the classic Frank Capra film about a small-town everyman who is everything to his community. Executive artistic director Gwendolyn Whiteside directs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. $30-$75. (773) 654-3103 or americanbluestheater.com.

Itasca native Veronica Garza plays a 40-something Cindy-Lou Who, whose relationship with The Grinch she recalls in Theater Wit’s adults-only production of “Who's Holiday!” Courtesy of Charles Osgood

Cindy-Lou Who tells all

A middle-aged Cindy-Lou Who recalls her lifelong relationship with The Grinch, who she met one Christmas Eve, in “Who’s Holiday,” Theater Wit’s adults-only sequel to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Itasca native Veronica Garza reprises her role in the solo show by playwright Matthew Lombardo. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, Monday, Dec. 2 and Thursday, Dec. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, and through Dec. 29 at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $15-$45. (773) 975-8150 or theaterwit.org.

Happy holidaze, Second City-style

• The Second City performs “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Sweater,” an interactive holiday revue that skewers office parties, family gatherings and holiday films, at the McAninch Arts Center. 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $31-$49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

• The Second City hosts a holiday show for kids titled “Rudolph Runs Wild.” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, and through Dec. 28 at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $29. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

• “Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire” is The Second City’s adults-only interactive revue lampooning holiday traditions in songs, sketches and improv. 5 and 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1; 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 5, and through Dec. 31 at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $39. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

Life after Romeo

“and Juliet,” the jukebox tuner that riffs on the life the teen might have experienced had she not stabbed herself upon finding Romeo dead, stops in Chicago briefly as part of its national tour. Written by David West Read, the musical features songs made popular by Pink, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and the Backstreet Boys, among others. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 3-5; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and through Dec. 15 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $66.50-$295.50. broadwayinchicago.com.

Blake Montgomery reprises his Joseph Jefferson Award-winning performance in the solo show “Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again” at The Den Theatre. Courtesy of Blake Montgomery

Live, in-person it’s Charles Dickens

Reprising his Joseph Jefferson Award-winning performance, director/adapter/performer Blake Montgomery channels Charles Dickens in Clownshow’s production of “Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again.” Suitable for ages 15 and older, the solo show imagines a 171-year-old Dickens performing his beloved holiday tale. Previews at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5-7, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 8. $16, $32. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.

Half-price tix

The League of Chicago Theatres offer half-price tickets for select holiday and nonholiday shows from Thursday, Dec. 5, through Dec. 15. Participating theaters include Drury Lane, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Citadel, Northlight, Goodman, Kokandy, PrideArts, Ballet Chicago and Broadway in Chicago, among others. See hottix.org for available tickets.

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