Theater events: Paramount rings in holidays with 'Christmas Story'

'Christmas Story'

A young boy growing up in a small Indiana town during the 1940s has his heart set on one thing: a Red Ryder BB gun. And he'll do almost anything to get it in "A Christmas Story - The Musical." Paramount Theatre rings in the holidays with the stage adaptation of writer Jean Shepherd's memoirs on which Bob Clark's beloved 1983 film was based. Michael Harp stars as Ralphie, and Danni Smith and Michael Accardo play his parents in director Nick Bowling's production. Previews begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Nov. 29. $41-$56. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

Holiday 'Plaid'

Steel Beam Theatre celebrates the season with the holiday-inspired doo-wop revue "Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings." The premise has the quartet returning from heaven at the behest of Rosemary Clooney, who asks them to help add "a little harmony to a discordant world." Kevin Wiczer of Elgin directs and choreographs the show, which features Terry Christianson of St. Charles; Tony Calzaretta of Schaumburg; David Pfenninger of Lombard; and Jonathan Stombres of Chicago. Opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.

'Caveman' returns

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre welcomes the return of "Defending the Caveman," Rob Becker's 1991 one-man sendup of the battle between the sexes. The show is part of the Metropolis Comedy series, which also includes the upcoming Second City revue "Holidazed." 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and 7 p. m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $35, $40. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Other theater events

• Performances continue for Stage 773's third annual holiday mash-up "It's a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut Cracking Christmas Story ... Jews Welcome!" Brian Posen helms this family-friendly show featuring traditional and original carols, dance, sketch comedy and puppets. It runs through Dec. 27 at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 327-5252 or stage773.com.

• American Blues Theater, the company that introduced to Chicago the 1940s, radio play-inspired "It's a Wonderful Life," presents its 14th annual "It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago." The 90-minute show incorporates Foley effects and original music to tell the tale of everyman George Bailey who discovers the source of true wealth in this adaptation of Frank Capra's beloved film. Previews begin Friday, Nov. 20, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Zach Kenney and Amanda Tanquay star as George and Mary Bailey in the show, which opens Wednesday, Nov. 25. Ticket sales from the Nov. 20-22 shows benefit the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research. (773) 404-7336 or americanbluestheater.com.

• Step Up Productions presents "Holidaze," its annual showcase of seasonal one-acts, beginning previews Friday, Nov. 20, and opening Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The plays include: "Temperance vs. Tolerance," Mia McCullough's comedy about a newly sober woman who asks her family to celebrate Thanksgiving sans alcohol; MT Cozzola's "Christmas Eve Eve," about a new employee overwhelmed by her colleague's Christmas spirit; and Jake Carr's "Your Better Half" about two young women backpacking through Europe who become acquainted with an eccentric British couple during a Christmas morning train ride. Also included in the showcase is Steven Peterson's "Someplace Warm" about a couple's seasonal arguments; "this is that moment" Joshua Rollins' play about two women examining their relationship on Christmas Eve; and "Later in the Strange" Steven Simoncic's play about a family experiencing their first Christmas after a loss. (773) 935-6875 or stepupproductions.org.

• The preview is Friday, Nov. 20, for Quest Theatre Ensemble's revival of the Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent musical version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The production, directed by artistic director Andrew Park, opens Saturday, Nov. 21, at The Blue Theater, 1609 W. Gregory Ave., Chicago. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and reservations are recommended. (312) 458-0895 or questensemble.org.

• Mitchell Fain suits up again as Crumpet the Elf in Theater Wit's remount of "The Santaland Diaries" adapted by Joe Mantello from David Sedaris' book chronicling his experiences as a Macy's elf. Performances begin Friday, Nov. 20, at 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. (773) 975-8150 or theaterwit.org.

• "Mr. Horne's (expletive) Neighborhood," an adult take on the PBS children's program, which in this incarnation is populated by corrupt garbagemen and disinterested city officials, opens Friday, Nov. 20, at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. "It's Christmas (expletive)!" a satirical take on family reunions, opens Saturday, Nov. 24. Mike Marunowski's new solo show, "Playing the Victim," examining victims of circumstances, society and themselves, begins previews Monday, Nov. 23, and opens Nov. 30. The political comedy "Hill N' Bill: A Billary Broadway Musical Karaoke Spectacular" about the former first couple gearing up for Hillary Clinton's presidential run, runs Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23-24. The experimental play "Two Dead Women," about cousins from Maine who travel to Chicago for the 1893 world's fair and become victims of serial killer H.H. Holmes, runs one night on Tuesday, Nov. 24. It's followed by the new musical comedy "Buzz Records," about an indie band that gets involved with a cultlike label, opening Tuesday, Nov. 24. Continuing at the theater is "Nervous Breakdown," a combination of improvised standup comedy and improv that runs Tuesdays through Dec. 29. (773) 697-9693 or theannoyance.com. Additionally, the Annoyance announced that its Chicago and New York theaters will provide content for IFC, an online comedy site at ifc.com/comedy-crib.

• The League of Chicago Theatres hosts a free performance at noon Friday, Nov. 20, at the Water Works Building, 163 E. Pearson ave., Chicago. It includes excerpts from The Waltzing Mechanics' "El Stories: Holiday Train" and Windy City Playhouses "Chapter Two." See chicagoplays.com.

• Oracle Productions and Black Cinema House present a free screening of Karen Thorsen's 1989 documentary film "James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket" at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at 7200 S. Kimbark, Chicago. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and reservations are recommended. See publicaccesstheatre.org.

• Marriott Theatre's Theatre for Young Audiences series continues with "Seussical" opening Saturday, Nov. 21, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show is comprised of excerpts from such beloved tales as "Horton Hears a Who;" "The Cat in the Hat" and "Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories" among others. Michael Aaron Lindner plays Horton and George Keating plays The Cat in director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell's production. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

• Performances begin Saturday, Nov. 21, for ShawChicago's revival of Noel Coward's "Private Lives," about a divorced couple who rekindle their romance while on honeymoons with their new respective spouses. Performances run through Dec. 14 at the Ruth Page Center, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. (312) 587-7390 or shawchicago.org.

• Cameron Ford, a musical director at Second City and iO Theater, performs his adults-only comedy at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Gorilla Tango, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. 9773) 598-4549 or gorillatango.com.

• The Elgin Fringe Festival hosts "Brunch and Beers with Boyle," part of an ongoing showcase of popular festival performers. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin, for the brunch. Solo performer David Boyle performs "Beers with Boyle" at 2:30 p.m. $10. See elginfringefestival.com.

• Emerald City Theatre hosts The Snoopy Snow Ball, its annual gala and fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. The event includes a performance of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" along with brunch and crafts for kids. See emeraldcitytheatre.com.

• Horatio Sanz, Kevin Dorff and T.J. Jagodowski are among The Second City alumni returning for "The Second City That Never Sleeps" a marathon improv show that begins at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, and runs through 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Piper's Alley, 210 W. North Ave., Chicago. Proceeds benefit Onward Neighborhood House, which provides social services to Old Town families in need. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

• David Arquette ("Scream," "Never Been Kissed") stars as the titular character in "Sherlock Holmes" in the Broadway in Chicago, Starvox Entertainment and June Entertainment production adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories by Greg Kramer. James Maslow plays Dr. Watson and Renne Olstead plays Lady Irene St. John in the production, which runs Tuesday, Nov. 24, through Nov. 29, at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com or sherlockholmesonstage.com.

• Previews begin Wednesday, Nov. 25, for Remy Bumppo Theatre's revival of Noel Coward's "Fallen Angels," beginning previews Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. This "champagne comedy" is about two bored housewives who decide to reignite an old flame with a former boyfriend who once romanced them both. Shannon Cochran directs ensemble members Annabel Armour, Emjoy Gavino and Eliza Stoughton. The show opens Nov. 30. (773) 404-7336 or remybumppo.org.

• The Red Theater and Oracle co-production of "R + J: The Vineyard" - an adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" in English in spoken and American Sign Language - has been extended. Performances continue through Dec. 21 at 3809 N. Broadway St., Chicago. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and reservations are recommended. See redtheater.org.

• "Bad Jews," Joshua Harmon's comedy about twenty-something Jewish cousins dealing with faith and identity, has been extended again. Performances run though Dec. 27 at the Royal George cabaret studio, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. (312) 988-9000 or badjewschicago.com.

• Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland Ave., Chicago, has extended its production of "The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls," about a young woman sent home to her native Russia who enters a world of witches, bears and evil stepmothers. The show runs through Dec. 5. (773) 384-0494 or trapdoortheatre.com.

• Provision Theater Company partners with the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago for a winter coat drive during the run of the company's Theatre for Young Audiences production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!" Audience members can drop off gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves to the theater, at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, through Dec. 20. (312) 455-0066 or provisiontheater.org.

• Remy Bumppo Theatre artistic director and First Folio Theatre associate Nicky Sandys reprises his role as Henry Higgins in Light Opera Works' "My Fair Lady," which opens the company's 2016 season. The Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe musical runs June 4-12, 2016, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. That's followed by "Mame" (Aug. 20-28, 2016, also at Cahn), and "Let Me Entertain You" (Oct. 7-16, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston), a revue of music by Jule Styne ("Gypsy," "Funny Girl"). The season concludes with Johann Strauss' opera "Die Fledermaus" (Dec. 26, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017, at Cahn Auditorium). Season subscriptions are available. (847) 920-5360 or lightoperaworks.com.

• Dead Writers Theatre Collective announced its 2016 season - titled "Mad About the Boy" - will begin July 1, 2016, with Oscar Wilde's comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest," followed by the musical revue "Oh, Coward!" (Aug. 26-Sept. 18, 2016). The season concludes with "The Heiress" (Aug. 29-Oct. 23, 2016), Ruth and Augustus Goetz's adaptation of Henry James' "Washington Square." Performances take place at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Season tickets start at $90. The company is also launching their Director's Club for $240, which includes a season subscription as well as admission to special events and salons. (773) 935-6875 or deadwriters.net.

• Definition Theatre Company announced its 2016 season - dubbed "Season of Inheritance" - begins Jan. 8 with the world premiere of "Byhalia, Mississippi," a co-production with The New Colony, written by New Colony co-artistic director Evan Linder. The play is about an expectant white couple who have an African-American baby, the result of the wife's affair. It will be staged in Chicago and at theaters around the county during the first week in January. The rest of the season will be announced later. In addition, Definition Theatre welcomed new members Owais Ahmed, Carley Cornelius, Martasia Jones, Kiki Layne, Sean Paris and Christopher Sheard. See definitiontheatre.org.