Theater

Spotlight: Northlight Theatre spices up the season with suspense thriller ‘Gaslight’

Posted November 25, 2025 7:45 am

Barbara Vitello

Cheyenne Casebier plays Bella Manningham and Lawrence Grimm plays her husband, Jack, in Northlight Theatre’s revival of Steven Dietz’s “Gaslight,” based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton. Courtesy of Greg Inda

New version of a classic thriller

Northlight Theatre delivers a chilling alternative to holiday shows with “Gaslight,” Steven Dietz’s 2023 adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s 1939 psychological thriller about Bella, a young woman who appears to be losing her mind, and her husband Jack, who seems to have a hand in her descent into madness. Jessica Thebus directs Cheyenne Casebier as Bella Manningham and Lawrence Grimm as Jack Manningham.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29, and Tuesday, Dec. 2; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30; and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Thursday, Dec. 4. $36-$98. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org.

A holiday tale for everyone

Strawdog Theatre remounts its beloved holiday tale “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins,” Michael Dailey’s musical adaptation of Eric Kimmel’s award-winning book. In this adaptation, Hershel tells the story of her legendary grandfather, Hershel of Ostropol, and his attempts to outwit the goblins pestering the residents of a small town. Emi Fishman stars as Hershel.

Previews at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29-30, at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 6. $40 adults, $20 kids. Four or more tickets are $25 with the code FAMILY. strawdog.org.

Cindy-Lou Who (Veronica Garza) recalls her relationship with the Grinch in Theater Wit’s adults-only “Who’s Holiday!” Courtesy of Charles Osgood

She’s back … Cindy-Lou Who!

Chicago-area theater veteran and Itasca native Veronica Garza stars as Cindy-Lou Who in Theater Wit’s popular production “Who’s Holiday!” This marks the fifth time Garza has played 40-something Cindy-Lou, who recalls her long-term relationship with the Grinch in this heartfelt, adults-only comedy by Matthew Lombardo.

7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29, at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday through Dec. 28; also 9 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. $39-$65. (773) 975-8150 or theaterwit.org.

New version of an Oscar Wilde classic

Open Space Arts presents the Chicago premiere of “Dorian,” a dramatization by Phoebe Eclair-Powell and Owen Horsley of Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Set in the present-day club scene, the play addresses Wilde’s prosecution and conviction for “gross indecency” for his relationship with Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas in 1895.

7:30 p.m. Saturday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, and through Dec. 14 at 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. $25. openspacearts.org.

A holiday high school musical

After a scandal rocks Century High School, drama teacher Jacob Lunsford — with help from the ghost of Charles Dickens — is tasked with writing a holiday musical to restore its reputation in “Miracle at Century High School.” Written by Anthony Cusumano, the show is co-directed by Cusumano and Aidan Tappert.

7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, and 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com.

A year between friends

Best pals Frog and Toad bake cookies, fly kites and plant a garden in the family-friendly musical “A Year With Frog and Toad,” adapted from Arnold Lobel’s series of children’s books. The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago production is directed by Randy White.

11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, and through Dec. 21, at The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $37.50, $41.50 for adults; $26.50, $29.50 for kids. yptchi.org.

Phil Timberlake stars as Jacob Marley in Tom Mula’s solo show “Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol,” running through Dec. 21 at Lifeline Theatre. Courtesy of Jackie Jasperson

Jacob Marley has his say

“Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” is a solo show by Tom Mula that imagines Charles Dickens’ famous tale from the perspective of Ebenezer Scrooge’s dead partner, who tries to warn his friend to mend his miserly ways. Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Phil Timberlake stars in the Chicago theater’s remount.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29, at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The show opens Sunday, Nov. 30. $30-$55. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.

Joan Merlo, center, and Alexis Primus reprise their roles in Tuta Theatre’s production of Thornton Wilder’s “The Long Christmas Dinner.” They are seen here in the 2024 production, which featured Matt Miles. Courtesy of Josh Bernaski

A family revealed

Tuta Theatre remounts its 2024 production of “The Long Christmas Dinner,” Thornton Wilder’s drama chronicling the lives of the members of an American family during a series of Christmas dinners spanning 90 years. Tuta co-artistic director Jacqueline Stone helms the production.

Previews at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 1-2, at Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show opens Wednesday, Dec. 3. $20-$100. tutatheatre.org.

Broadway in Chicago presents the North American tour of “Six” at Chicago’s CIBC Theatre. Courtesy of Joan Marcus

On Broadway in Chicago stages

• The Tudor queens celebrate “her-story” in “Six,” the pop-rock-hip-hop musical in which Henry VIII’s wives reclaim their places in history apart from their husband. The show, which had its North American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, returns for a brief run.

7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 2-5 and 9-12; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7; and 1 p.m. Dec. 10 and 14, at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $64.60-$226.27. broadwayinchicago.com.

• After a lifetime spent at the North Pole, Buddy the Elf learns he’s not an elf after all and heads to New York City in search of his human birth father in “Elf the Musical,” inspired by the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell.

7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 2-5 and 9-12; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7; and 1 p.m. Dec. 10 and 14 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $55.35-$306.47. broadwayinchicago.com.