Best bets: 'The Nutcracker,' Christmas concerts bring holiday cheer this weekend

Posted December 12, 2018 9:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

"The Nutcracker" by Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet and the New Philharmonic returns to College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of McAninch Arts Center

Tchaikovsky classic

Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet teams up once again with the New Philharmonic to perform "The Nutcracker." Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet plays this weekend at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $44; $34 youth. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Season's symphony

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's "Merry, Merry Chicago!" concerts return with conductor Michael Krajewski at the helm. Also featured are vocalist Storm Large of Pink Martini, narrator David Lively and the Young Naperville Singers this weekend and next at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $41-$154. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 and 21; 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and 22; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23

WGN TV newscaster Pat Tomasulo returns to perform at Zanies in Rosemont.

Standing anchorman

Pat Tomasulo, WGN-TV newscaster and host of "Man of the People," returns to perform standup this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item purchase. For ages 21 and older. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Clara's dream

The Berkshire Ballet Theatre returns with its version of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" this weekend at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $28-$30. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Michael McDonald brings his "Season of Peace: Holiday & Hits Tour" to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Saturday, Dec. 15. Associated Press, 2016

Hits & holidays

Michael McDonald mixes pop songs with carols in the concert "Season of Peace: Holiday & Hits" on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $44.50-$102.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Rocking carols

Classic Christmas hits and a selection of Fresh Aire compositions make up the "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis" concert on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39-$69; $15-$25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Dennis DeYoung brings "The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour" to North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville. Associated Press, 2012

Complete 'Illusion'

Hear rousing rock from the 1970s and '80s when Dennis DeYoung returns with "The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour" on Saturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $65-$85. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Merry Motown

The Masters of Soul Holiday Show features Christmas carols with a Motown sound on Sunday at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $35-$40; $34-$39 seniors; $15 youth. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

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