December brings entertainment for all ages to COD's MAC
For the holiday season, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage presents a selection of music, theater, comedy and family-friendly performances.
For anyone looking to give the gift of entertainment, the MAC is hosting a special Holiday Sales Event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The event will feature tours of the MAC, photo ops with Santa, and cookies and cocoa.
Everyone purchasing tickets at the event will receive 10 percent off and pay no handling fees.
"This year's holiday lineup has something for everyone," MAC Director Diana Martinez said. "It is a showcase of the best the MAC has to offer and its unique ability to appeal to a wide audience."
Holiday events coming to the MAC's Belushi Performance Hall include the following:
• The family-friendly Broadway-style production presented by Kenny Rogers, "The Toy Shoppe," starring Alan Thicke, who played Jason Seaver on "Growing Pains," begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.
• AlphaBet Soup Productions' musical play "A Christmas Carol in HogPatch Holler" is for kids of all ages at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
• Improv and sketch comedy, including The Second City Dysfunctional Holiday Revue, begins at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and "Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: The Two Man Group Tour" is at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
• Four performances of von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet's "The Nutcracker," with guest artists, rich costume and production design, and live orchestral music from the New Philharmonic, begin at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and at 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
• Three performances of New Philharmonic's "New Year's Eve with an International Twist" feature the professional musicians of the MAC's resident symphony at 2, 6 and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31.
For tickets or information on additional performances, including college music and theater, call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.
In addition to the holiday fun, the MAC is participating in a gift item collection for Metropolitan Family Services. Theatergoers are encouraged to donate a gift items through Friday, Dec. 18, in care bins in the MAC lobby. Needed items include winter clothing such as gloves, hats and scarves; toiletries; pajamas and lap blankets. For information, visit metrofamily.org.