Spotlight: Buffalo Theatre Ensemble stages Jane Austen-inspired 'Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley'
'Christmas at Pemberley'
Mary Bennet, the bookish younger sister to Jane Austen's Lizzie Darcy, embarks upon a holiday romance in "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley," one of three dramedies by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon imagining how the Bennet sisters' lives unfolded after the events of "Pride and Prejudice." Buffalo Theatre Ensemble associate artistic director Amelia Barrett directs BTE's revival starring Whitney Dottery as Mary and Daniel Millhouse as Arthur de Bourgh.
Opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $44. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org or btechicago.com.
Winter fairy tale
Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences concludes its season with a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," about young Gerda's efforts to rescue best friend Kai after the Snow Queen whisks him away to her frozen palace. Joryhebel Ginorio plays Gerda and Jeremiah Alsop plays Kai.
Previews at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 17-19, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Nov. 25. $15.75. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.
Cinematic 'Carol'
"Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol" returns to Writers Theatre for a second year. Ingeniously conceived and beautifully performed, this adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale incorporates actors, puppeteers and musicians to tell the story of holiday skeptic Aunt Trudy (LaKecia Harris), who reluctantly continues her late husband's Christmas tradition of performing for his family a puppet show version of Dickens' story.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The show opens Nov. 25. $35-$90. (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org.
Second City sendup
If you want to see The Second City's "What the Elf?" at Copley Theatre, don't delay. Tickets for the holiday sketch comedy revue are going fast.
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, and through Dec. 23 at 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $42. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.
Yando's back
Larry Yando returns for his 16th season as Ebenezer Scrooge in Goodman Theatre's "A Christmas Carol," directed for the fourth time by Jessica Thebus. Austin Tichenor steps into the role of Scrooge for eight performances during the run, which includes touch-tour and audio-described performances, an ASL performance, open-captioned and Spanish-subtitled performances and a sensory-friendly performance.
Previews at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 18 and 25; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 21-22; and 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 26. $33-$159. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.
Betty Boop tuner
Jasmine Amy Rogers ("Mean Girls" national tour) stars as Betty Boop, the animated cartoon character popular during the 1930s, in "Boop, The Betty Boop Musical" by composer David Foster, lyricist Susan Birkenhead and a book by Bob Martin. Jerry Mitchell ("Kinky Boots," "Hairspray") helms the show about Betty, a famous actress who wishes for one day out of the spotlight.
Previews at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 21 and 28; Wednesdays, Nov. 22 and 29, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1; 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 at The CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. The show opens Dec. 6. $28-$106. broadwayinchicago.com.