Spotlight: Seasonal fare on suburban stages includes ‘Wonderful Life,’ ‘Christmas Carol,’ Second City sketches
‘Wonderful Life’ radio style
Improv Playhouse Theatre presents its annual 1940s radio version of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” adapted from Frank Capra’s classic film about an ordinary man who learns he’s had an extraordinary impact on his friends and family. Stephen Pickering plays George Bailey and Egon Schein plays Clarence, the angel who helps George see his life’s value. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 and 20; 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Advance tickets $7.50-$20; at the door $10-$22.50. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.
Handbag remounts holiday fav
Hell in a Handbag Productions remounts artistic director David Cerda’s “Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer (An Unauthorized Musical Parody)” as its season-opening production. A send-up of the 1967 animated TV special, Cerda’s version centers on the titular reindeer, who has a fondness for red hose and heels. Anthony Whitaker directs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, at the Hoover Leppen Theatre, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The show opens Sunday, Dec. 15. $29-$60. handbagproductions.org.
Manual Cinema’s ‘Christmas Carol’
Holiday-averse Aunt Trudy agrees to perform her late husband’s puppet version of “A Christmas Carol” over a Zoom call in the artfully crafted, wholly original “Manual Cinema’s A Christmas Carol.” The production uses overhead projectors, shadow puppets, original music and actor/puppeteers to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, as narrated by the recently widowed Aunt Trudy. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at The Studebaker Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. $45-$65. fineartsbuilding.com/christmascarol.
‘Hershel’ returns
Strawdog Theatre Company remounts its family favorite “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” for the seventh year. Adapted from Erik Kimmel’s children’s book, the play with music is about a troupe of actors who share the story of how Hershel of Ostropol outwitted the goblins haunting the old synagogue. 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, and through Jan. 5, 2025, at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court Glencoe. $35 adults, $20 ages 12 and younger. strawdog.org.
Seasonal send-up at the Metropolis
The Second City returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre with its seasonal sketch comedy satire “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Sweater.” 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $40, $50 New Year’s Eve. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
‘Les Mis’ returns
“Les Miserables,” the musical adapted from Victor Hugo’s 19th century novel, plays the Cadillac Palace Theatre as part of its national tour. The musical centers on French peasant Jean Valjean, who’s imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed a hungry child. Valjean breaks his parole and is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, through Thursday, Dec. 19; 7:20 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22 and through Jan. 5, 2025, at 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $66.50-$321.50. broadwayinchicago.com.
Redtwist inaugurates Twisted Playfest
Redtwist theatre inaugurates new play incubator Twisted Playfest with “The Totality of All Things” by Eric Gernand. Directed by Enrico Spada, the play is about high school teacher Judith Benson, who oversees the school newspaper until an anti-gay hate crime calls into question everything she believes about journalism and truth itself. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, and through Jan. 19, at 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. $35. redtwisttheatre.org.