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Theater spotlight: Second City debuts its 107th main stage revue

Second City debut

Talk alternative holiday fare, The Second City debuts its 107th main stage revue, whose title has yet to be announced, next week. The cast includes main stage ensemble members Ryan Asher, Tyler Davis, Jeffrey Murdoch and Nate Varrone along with "Gaslight District" cast member Emily Fightmaster and "She the People" cast member Kimberly Michelle Vaughn. Matt Hovde directs.

Previews continue at 8 and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2; and 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 4-5, at 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. Opens Thursday, Dec. 6. $31-$58. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com.

Stocking stuffer

This year, Goodman Theatre's alternative offering to its beloved "A Christmas Carol" is the stage adaptation of humorist David Sedaris' satirical "The Santaland Diaries" chronicling Sedaris' experiences as an elf at Macy's Santaland. Matt Crowle, a regular at Drury Lane, Paramount and Porchlight theaters, stars in the solo show directed by Steve Scott, former Goodman Theatre producer and a member of its artistic collective.

Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2; and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 4-5. Opens Thursday, Dec. 6, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $15-$45. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.

Holidays in Rosemont

Rosemont Theatre's holiday productions includes the debut of "The Hip-Hop Nutcracker," featuring Tchaikovsky's score paired with hip-hop choreography along with a DJ and electric violinist. Other family-friendly options include "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical" adapted from the cartoon special and "A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage" adapted from Charles M. Schulz's stories.

"The Hip-Hop Nutcracker" opens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. "Rudolph" is at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. "Charlie Brown Christmas" is at 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. Performances take place at 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemont.com/theatre.

courtesy of Jon Cole/photo illustration by Rachel BarishStrawdog Theatre Company ensemble member Anderson Lawfer appears in the company's premiere adaptation of "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins."

Hanukkah premiere

Strawdog Theatre premieres ensemble member Michael Dailey's adaptation of "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins," based on the children's book by Eric Kimmel about a traveler named Hershel of Ostropol who helps a town defeat various goblins over the eight days of Hanukkah. Emerald City Theatre artistic director Jacqueline Stone directs the production, which features Strawdog ensemble members Anderson Lawfer and Lombard native Nicole Bloomsmith.

Previews at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Opens at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at 1802 W. Berenice Ave., Chicago. $10-$25. $80 for a family of four. See strawdog.org.

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