Theater spotlight: 'Unforgettable' Evan Tyrone Martin channels Nat King Cole at Marriott
'Unforgettable' night
Singer/actor Evan Tyrone Martin ("Jesus Christ Superstar," "Dreamgirls," "The Little Mermaid," "Rent") channels beloved crooner Nat King Cole as part of the Artists Lounge Live concert series at Marriott Theatre. Martin's "An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas" features such favorites as "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable" as well as "The Christmas Song" and "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."
3 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $55 (20 percent discount for Marriott subscribers). (847) 634-0200 or artistsloungelive.com.
'A Dickens Carol'
Oak Park Festival Theatre remounts its production of "A Dickens Carol," which re-imagines the story of Ebenezer Scrooge from the perspective of his creator, Charles Dickens. Playwright Ned Crowley's account imagines Dickens in 1842 London, where his popularity was on the wane, his marriage was crumbling and his finances were dwindling. Kevin Theis stars and co-directs with Matt Gall.
Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and runs 8 p.m. Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 30. $15-$35. (708) 300-9396 or oakparkfestival.com.
'American Girl Live'
"American Girl Live," a new musical by Glenview native Sandy Rustin (book, lyrics) and Meg Zervoulis (music) based on the American Girl doll characters, kicks off its national tour at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. The action centers on young girls attending a summer sleepaway camp where each confronts a challenge that allows her to become the heroine of her own story.
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $37-$47. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.