Theater

Spotlight: Buffalo Theatre’s ‘Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley’ and Goodman’s ‘Christmas Carol’ take the stage

Posted November 10, 2025 11:48 am

Olivia Finkelstein, left, plays Georgiana Darcy and Ksa Curry plays her best friend Kitty Bennet in Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's production of “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.” Courtesy of Joel Maisonet

Yuletide treat

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents the final installment of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s “Pride and Prejudice”-inspired holiday series “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.” The play centers on the friendship between William Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana and Elizabeth Bennet’s second youngest sister Kitty, who, on Boxing Day, embark on new careers and new relationships. Olivia Finkelstein plays Georgiana and Ksa Curry is Kitty in director Connie Canaday Howard’s production.

The preview is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The show opens Nov. 21. $45. atthemac.org.

More holiday favorites

Christopher Donahue, left, reprises the role of Ebenezer Scrooge opposite Lucky Stiff's Ghost of Christmas Past in Goodman Theatre's production of “A Christmas Carol.” Courtesy of Hugo Hentoff

• Christopher Donahue returns to Goodman Theatre for his second year portraying Charles Dickens’ famed miser Ebenezer Scrooge in the theater’s 48th production of “A Christmas Carol,” which marks 25-year “Christmas Carol” veteran Gregory Hirte’s transition to music director. Ella Boparai makes her Goodman debut as Tiny Tim in director Malkia Stampley’s production.

Previews at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 15 and 22; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16; 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19-20; and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 23. $34-$173. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

• Oil Lamp Theater concludes its 2025 season with “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” adapted by Joe Landry from Frank Capra’s classic film about George Bailey, a good man whose troubles prompt him to wish he had never been born. An angel named Clarence intervenes to help him see the profound effect he has on his family and community. Lauren Katz directs.

The preview is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. The show opens Nov. 21. $30, $55. oillamptheater.org.

Aurora's Copley Theatre welcomes The Second City touring company holiday send-up “The Second City’s Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire.” Courtesy of Timothy Schmidt

• The Second City brings “Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire” — its holiday send-up of holiday parties, family gatherings and Mariah Carey holiday songs on repeat — to Aurora’s Copley Theatre.

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20; 8 p.m. Nov. 21; 3 and 8 p.m. Nov. 22; and through Dec. 23 at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $50.24. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

David Cerda, left, Honey West, Robert Williams and Anna Rose Steinmeyer play reality TV stars in Handbag Productions' latest parody, “The Real Housewives of the North Pole.” Courtesy of Rick Augilar Studios

• Hell in a Handbag Productions premieres a new holiday parody “The Real Housewives of The North Pole” by artistic director David Cerda. After Santa and his North Pole buddies are indicted for fraud, it’s up to the women to save their families from financial ruin. Led by the newly sober Ruth Claus, Mrs. Samantha Frosty, Suzy Snowflake, Mrs. Gladys Dasher and Rudolph’s wife, Clarice, agree to Andy Cohen’s invitation to star in a reality show.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 20-22, and Nov. 28, and 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at 4335 N. Western Ave., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 29. $36.25-$56.25. handbagproductions.com.

Shakespeare comedies

• Marti Lyons, in collaboration with Court Theatre associate director Daira Rodriguez, adapts and directs the company’s revival of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Melisa Soledad Pereyra plays Katherina, the titular rebel who marries Petruchio (Jay Whittaker), a gold-digger who agrees to “tame” Kate so that lovesick Lucentio (Nate Santana) can marry her younger sister Bianca (Netta Walker). Citing the play’s timeliness, Lyons said in a prepared statement: “it is a piece that brims with contradictions that are urgent and resonant. This complex study of power continues to intrigue even as it provokes.”

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 14 and 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19-20, at 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 22. $42-$90. (773) 753-4472 or courttheatre.org.

• Independent Beatrice (Deborah Hay) and avowed bachelor Benedick (Mark Bedard) battle their mutual attraction for each other in William Shakespeare’s sparkling rom-com “Much Ado About Nothing.” Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production is directed by Selina Cadell, whose acclaimed 2024 production of Eddie Izzard’s “Hamlet” broke records at the Navy Pier theater.

7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 18-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Also 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 21. $49-$112. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

More ‘Beautiful Noise’

“A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical” returns to 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 his career at New York City’s legendary Brill Building and went on write such hits as “Sweet Caroline,” “I am … I Said,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” and others.

7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19; 1 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23 through Nov. 30 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $70-$190. broadwayinchicago.com.