Best bets: Elgin Symphony brings ‘Holiday Spectacular’ to Raue Center, Hemmens
ESO holiday spectaculars
The Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, welcomes conductor Chad Goodman and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the Elgin Master Chorale for its annual holiday spectacular. Tickets start at $63, $41.30 for RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12
The orchestra also performs at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, accompanied by the Elgin Master Chorale and the Integrity School of Dance. $20-$68. ElginSymphony.org. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
Naperville comedian gives hometown show
Returning to stand-up after a 20-year hiatus, comedian and Naperville native Chris Ryan examines his commuter marriage and parenting twins in “Nothing Means Anything: An Evening of Comedy With Chris Ryan” at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $25. northcentralcollege.edu or yourpalchris.com/tickets. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12
Comedy duo in concert
Twin comedians Randy and Jason Sklar (TV’s “United Stats of America,” “Mighty Med,” “Better Call Saul,” “Night Court”) headline The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $22-$40. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Broadway in Chicago celebrates the season
• Rick Schuler channels John Denver in Broadway in Chicago’s “Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas” at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. In addition to “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” Schuler performs Denver hits such as “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” among others. $50-$105. broadwayinchicago.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
• David Payne plays C.S. Lewis in “Christmas With C.S. Lewis,” a solo show in which the beloved British author regales American visitors with stories about the people and events that shaped his life and his writing. Performances take place at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. $80. broadwayinchicago.com. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 16-18; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21
More Yuletide music
• The ensemble Classical Blast combines traditional carols with music by Metallica, Pink Floyd, Moody Blues and other rockers during Raue Center for the Arts’ “Dark Side of the Yule” concert at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $39, $24.50 for RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
• Fourteen-year-old Naperville violin prodigy Katherine Schaunfenbuel joins Philippe Quint and the Magellan Chamber Orchestra for “A Holiday Special With Vivaldi and Bach” at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. The program includes Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor. $55, $35 for museum members. Chicagohistory.org. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16
• Broadway veteran and Chicago native Anthony Rapp (“Rent,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “If/Then”) returns home for a holiday cabaret at Lookingglass Theatre, 163 E. Pearson St., Chicago. Rapp shares stories and songs accompanied by Rick Bertone. Tickets start at $59.95. (312) 337-0665 or lookingglasstheatre.org. 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 17-19, and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20
• The Chris White Trio serves up holiday cheer and “Peanuts” jazz during a concert at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. The concert pays tribute to Vince Guaraldi, the force behind the “Peanuts” Christmas soundtrack. $29. gortoncenter.org. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18
Ruth Page ‘Nutcracker’
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts presents its annual production of “Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker” featuring original choreography by the pioneering dancer/choreographer and re-creates highlights from Page’s original full-length production, which was staged annually at the Arie Crown Theatre from 1965-1997. $15-$65 (depending on venue). RuthPage.org. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Northeastern Illinois University’s Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20 and 1 p.m. Dec. 21 at the College of Lake County, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Merry Pinkmas
The Museum of Ice Cream, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, celebrates “Pinkmas” with a larger-than-life snow globe; interactive exhibitions, including an art project titled “Tree Wishes”; a sprinkle pool; seasonal ice cream creations; and holiday cocktails. Timed, dated tickets to the “experium” start at $30 on weekends and $24 on weekdays. musuemoficecream.com/chicago. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 19