Local theater: Revival of 'Secret Garden'

‘Secret Garden'

A young girl discovers her late aunt's long-abandoned sanctuary, and in the process uncovers happiness for her and her grieving uncle in “The Secret Garden,” the musical inspired by Frances Hodgsen Burnett's novel, with music by Lucy Simon and book and lyrics by Marsha Norman. Stacey Falster, who recently helmed Paramount Theatre's “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” directs Light Opera Works' revival.

Opens Monday, Dec. 26, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $32-$95. (847) 920-5360 or lightopera works.com.

The ‘Family' returns

“The Addams Family,” the musical inspired by the quirky, macabre characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams, returns to the city where it debuted. Douglas Sills and Sara Gettelfinger star as Gomez and Morticia in a post-Christmas run of the musical by the “Jersey Boys” team of Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.

Runs Tuesday, Dec. 27, through Sunday, Jan. 1, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $37-$95. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

NYE early warning

Welcome in 2012 on a humorous note. Fox Valley Repertory hosts a special holiday performance of “The Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” that includes party favors and a champagne toast. Overnight party packages also are available.

9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $50. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org.

• KFAR Jewish Arts Center presents Sean Altman in his show “Jewmongous,” an irreverent, rock 'n' roll inspired show comprised of “unkosher comedy songs” about Altman's embrace of Judaism. Altman performs at 8 and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.com.

• Actor and musician Jim Post examines the life and work of one of America's most beloved writers in “Mark Twain and the Laughing River,” beginning a brief run at the Theatre at the Center on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Performances run through Saturday, Dec. 31, at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Ind. (219) 836-3255 or (800) 511-1552 or theatreatthe center.com.

• The Annoyance Theatre presents founder and artistic director Mick Napier in an improv Q&A in a show titled, “ ... And Other Burning Questions,” at 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago. (773) 561-4665 or theannoyance.com.

• Emerald City Theatre has extended its hit children's show, “Pinkalicious: The Musical,” about a young girl who catches “pinkitis” after eating too many pink cupcakes. Performances continue through the spring for director Ernie Nolan's production adapted from the children's books by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann. “Pinkalicious” is at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.

• Profiles Theatre has extended its world-premiere production of “Assisted Living,” Dierdre O'Connor's play about a 40-year-old single woman who begins a relationship with a younger, dimwitted man. Performances continue through Sunday, Jan. 15, at Profiles' second space, The Second Stage, 3408 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. (773) 549-1815 or profilestheatre.org.

• The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, announced its show skewering Mayor Rahm Emanuel that ran for four months earlier this year, returns for a remount on Saturday, Jan. 7. “(Expletive), I Love You, Bye: The Rahm Emanuel Story,” plays at 8 p.m. Saturdays through Feb. 25. (773) 561-4665 or theanoyance.com.

• Black Ensemble Theater has extended the run of “The Jackie Wilson Story,” an original bio-musical about the legendary soul crooner, through Feb. 19. Performances continue at BET's new home at 4440 N. Clark St., Chicago. (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org.

• Families have until Saturday, Dec. 31, to see the Chicago Children's Theatre production of “Good Night Moon The Musical,” about a bunny who refuses to go to sleep. Performances continue at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. CCT encourages theatergoers to donate a pair of new children's pajamas for a local child in need, when they attend a performance. For every pair of PJs collected during the “Good Night Moon” run, Scholastic Books will donate an equal number of early learning books to underprivileged children. (773) 871-3000 or chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

— Barbara Vitello