Spotlight: Second City's 'Nut-Cracking' revue skewers the holidays at Metropolis

Second City sendup

The Second City returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre with its "Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue" featuring new sketches skewering holiday traditions, office parties, family reunions and all things Christmas.

9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23; runs at various times Dec. 27-31 at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30-$60. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Man's best friend

The canine residents of The Barkley, a prestigious kennel and dog-training facility, share stories about themselves and their human companions in "Dogs," a new holiday musical by Mike Sigman and Jerry Sigman. The family-friendly show comes to the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa for a brief run.

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 and 28; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and 29; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23 and 30, at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20. (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com/entertainment.

'Into the Woods'

Several familiar Grimm Brothers characters embark on a journey "Into the Woods" that alters them in profound ways in the musical by Stephen Sondheim and writer James Lapine that examines what happens when happily ever after doesn't unfold as hoped. Music Theater Works revives the show under director Rudy Hogenmiller and conductor Roger L. Bingaman.

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, and Wednesday, Dec. 26, and various times Dec. 28-31 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $34-$96. (847) 920-5360 or musictheaterworks.com.