Theater events: Goodman makes 'Christmas Carol' new again

Scott helms ‘Carol'

Director Steve Scott, helming Goodman Theatre's “A Christmas Carol” for the first time in 19 years, promises new special effects, music and choreography to make the show “happier, scarier, funnier and more celebratory than ever.” Larry Yando returns for his fourth turn at Ebenezer Scrooge.

Previews begin Friday, Nov. 18, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 27. $25-$92. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Steel's ‘Scrooge'

Steel Beam Theatre celebrates the season with “Scrooge the Musical,” adapted from the 1970 film musical based on Charles Dickens' tale. Crystal Lake's Steve Connell stars with Jason Jewell and Mikey Taylor of South Elgin alternating as Tiny Tim.

Opens Saturday, Nov. 19, at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.

Return engagement

The Hypocrites remount their acclaimed, irreverent 80-minute production of Gilbert and Sullivan's “Pirates of Penzance” emphasizing comic acting over operatic singing. Sean Graney directs the show featuring pared-down arrangements from Kevin O'Donnell.

Previews begin Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 27. $28. (773) 989-7352 or the-hypocrites.com.

Collider 2012

Fox Valley Repertory seeks new play submissions for its second Collider New Play Festival taking place in July in St. Charles. Three playwrights will collaborate with scientists from Fermilab to create a new work — rooted in science as well as art — that helps us understand the universe and our place in it. Submissions are due by Jan. 1. For guidelines and submission forms, see foxvalleyrep.org/collider.

• Black Ensemble Theater celebrates its new home at 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago with a remount of its acclaimed, 2000 show “The Jackie Wilson Story.” Artistic director Jackie Taylor wrote and directs the bio-musical about R&B singer Wilson (“Your Love Keeps Lifting Me High and Higher,” “Baby Workout”), who died in 1984 at age 49 after spending his nine years in a coma following a heart attack. The company celebrates the grand opening of its new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Arts Center all weekend with several parties as well as an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Previews begin Friday, Nov. 18. “The Jackie Wilson Story” opens Sunday, Nov. 20. (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org.

• Light Opera Works and Midwest New Musicals present a concert reading of the in-progress musical “Table Turns,” comprised of five short works about modern life and love. The performance is at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at LOW's second stage at 1420 Maple St., Evanston. (847) 920-5360.

• Previews begin Monday, Nov. 21, for Teatro Luna's “Crossed (How Going South Flipped Our Script).” A new play about immigration created by the ensemble, “Crossed” grew out of last year's collaboration with Bailiwick Chicago. In it, seven performers recount their experiences as immigrants. Miranda Gonzalez directs the play, which is performed in English with Spanish and several other languages sprinkled throughout. “Crossed” opens Monday, Nov. 28, at the Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. See teatroluna.org for tickets.

• The Tony Award-winning “Memphis” comes to Chicago for a brief run as part of its national tour. Performances begin Tuesday, Nov. 22, of the musical, which centers around a DJ in the 1950s whose fascination with rock 'n' roll and a soulful R&B singer changes his life and sets off a cultural revolution. The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchiczgo.com.

• “Fiddler on the Roof” returns to Chicago for a weeklong run at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, Chicago. John Preece stars as Tevye in the touring production featuring Jerome Robbins' original Broadway direction. The show runs Tuesday, Nov. 22, to Sunday, Nov. 27. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• Remy Bumppo's season continues with Pierre de Marivaux's 18th century farce “Changes of Heart,” translated by Stephen Wadsworth and directed by new artistic director Timothy Douglas, who sets the comedy in 1960s Chicago. The play centers around a young girl in love with a neighborhood boy. Things get complicated when she catches the eye of the prince who tries to buy her love. Alana Arenas, Nicolas Gamboa and Steve Wojtas star as the members of the love triangle. Previews begin Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Monday, Nov. 28. (773) 404-7336 or remybumppop.org.

• “Love, Loss and What I Wore” welcomes actress Dawn Wells (“Gilligan's Island”) to the cast beginning Tuesday, Dec. 6. Additionally, producers have announced an extension for the comedy, based on Ilene Beckerman's book adapted by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron. Performances continue through Jan. 1, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Thanksgiving week tickets available for $39 through Ticketmaster.com. Use code “turkey” when ordering. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• Citadel Theatre hosts a canned food and clothing drive to coincide with its current production of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol.” Audience members who purchase a ticket for performances between Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Dec. 23, receive a $5 discount if they bring an item of warm clothing and/or two cans or boxes of nonperishable food. Donations will benefit the Holy Family Food Pantry of Waukegan. Performances continue through Friday, Dec. 30, at Citadel's West Campus Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. (847) 735-8554 or citadeltheatre.org.

• The Helen Coburn Meier and Tim Meier Charitable Foundation for the Arts has recognized First Folio and Remy Bumppo ensemble member and Jeff Award winner Nick Sandys for his artistic achievements as an actor/director and fight choreographer. The foundation recognizes Chicago area artists who in mid-career, continue to “push the envelope.” The 2011 award winners also include painter Wesley Kimler and composer/arranger/keyboardist Jeff Kowalkowski. Each winner receives a “no-strings” award totaling $33,333 ($25,000 plus 33 percent for income tax).

— Barbara Vitello