\u201cA Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Chicago\u2019s venerable Black Ensemble Theater has created a new, 90-minute revue designed to make your holidays rock and swing a little. Writer and director Daryl Brooks is in charge of the seasonal fun at this theater famed for the quality of its singing and musicianship. Expect soulful renditions of Christmas carols, gospel numbers, classic pop and, of course, plenty of Christmas music. BET is a notably friendly and welcoming place for all, ideal for this time of the year.<\/p>\n Dec. 6-14 at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St.; 773-769-4451 and www.blackensembletheater.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d<\/p>\n Forty-eight years of \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d!\u00a0 God bless us, every one. This year\u2019s edition of the perennial Goodman Theatre version has a new director (Malkia Stampley), a new music director (Gregory Hirte) and a new choreographer (Tor Campbell). But Christopher Donahue, who took over the role of Scrooge from Larry Yando, is back for another year.\u00a0 The Goodman says this crew has \u201crevisited much of the way that music and movement advance the storytelling.\u201d\u00a0 (I mean, there are only so many ways \u2026) You can also expect a reimagined Fezziwig party with a new Mrs. F (Christiana Clark) and some new tricks and music. I\u2019m told Stampley, a rising Chicago director, also is interested in \u201cputting at the beginning some of what Scrooge learns at the end of the play: the importance of taking care of each other, especially those new to our community.\u201d Who could disagree in Chicago right now?<\/p>\n Through Dec. 31 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; 312-443-3800 and www.goodmantheatre.org<\/a><\/p>\n Weirdly, many Chicago theaters go dark between Christmas and New Year, just when many families are together and looking to see a show. But if you are looking for a multi-generational good time, the Chicago Magic Lounge has programmed Walter King Jr., aka The Spellbinder, for the entire holiday week with multiple performances each night. I just saw The Spellbinder\u2019s blast of a show<\/a> a couple of weeks ago and it\u2019s a cool experience hosted by a veteran magic man who has forgotten more than some musicians ever learn. I\u2019ll bet he has some holiday tricks planned, too.<\/p>\n Select nights at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St.; 312-366-4500 and www.chicagomagiclounge.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHolidazed and Amused\u201d<\/p>\n Chicago\u2019s Second City has been around for decades so its cupboards are well stocked with seasonal comedy sketches designed to make fun of the rituals of the season (office parties, family dinners and other horrors). Also promised for escapees from the family bosom: music, improv and a grab bag of seasonal surprises. (The regular revues on the Mainstage and the e.t.c. Stage are also happening between Christmas and New Year, and various holiday kids shows are available too.)<\/p>\n Nov. 26 to Jan. 1, 2026, in the Second City\u2019s UP Comedy Club, 1608 N. Wells St. in Piper\u2019s Alley; 312-337-3992 and www.secondcity.com<\/a><\/p>\n I tend to go most years to American Blues Theater to see \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!,\u201d a show I\u2019ve been reviewing throughout its 24-year history. It\u2019s a delightful community-oriented experience, long directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside, that has become part of my holiday tradition. The cast generally doesn\u2019t change all that much and the staging even less so, which is kinda the point. This year\u2019s homegrown show features Justin Banks (as Harry), Audrey Billings (Mary Bailey), Manny Buckley (Joseph), Dara Cameron (Violet) and Ian Paul Custer (Clarence and Mr. Potter), with Michael Mahler on the keys and J.G. Smith on Foley effects. And, thank heavens, the terrific Brandon Dahlquist is back once again as George Bailey. Seasonal cocktails are poured at the bar; this year\u2019s production runs into the holiday week.<\/p>\n Nov. 21 to Dec. 28 at American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-654-3103 and www.americanbluestheater.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show\u201d<\/p>\n Fans of the 17 seasons (!) of \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race\u201d likely will be interested in this holiday show from two of its most illustrious alums, Jinkx Monsoon (recently of \u201cThe Pirates of Penzance\u201d and \u201cOh Mary!\u201d on Broadway) and fellow queen BenDeLaCreme. Both of these artists hail from Seattle and their holiday show, at the historic Chicago Theatre for one night only, is a well-established seasonal attraction that tours all over the country.<\/p>\n 7 p.m. Dec 7 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; msg.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The hilarious, much-loved star of NBC\u2019s\u00a0 \u201cSmash\u201d and, more recently, the hit Broadway musical \u201cDeath Becomes Her\u201d is bringing some glam seasonal jollies to Steppenwolf with her cabaret show, replete with live musicians. Expect Broadway music along with a program of seasonal fare and, of course, a big personality.<\/p>\n Dec 12-13 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; 312-335-1650 and www.steppenwolf.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cManual Cinema\u2019s Christmas Carol\u201d<\/p>\n These past few years, I\u2019ve been following this show all over the Chicago area, from the Chopin Theatre to Writers Theatre in Glencoe to its current berth at the beautiful Studebaker Theatre. It\u2019s an ideal choice if you have out-of-town visitors over the holidays, because it embodies much of what makes Chicago theatre so special: a homegrown sensibility, gorgeous visuals, hugely talented artists and a certain audacity. Manual Cinema, if you\u2019ve never had the pleasure, combines theater and film in its own unique way. The company tours the country for much of the year but likes to come home for the holidays. I\u2019m happy and grateful that they do.<\/p>\n Dec. 12-28 at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave.;\u00a0manualcinema.com<\/a><\/p>\n Hell in a Handbag\u2019s holiday show opens soon at The Clutch. Can\u2019t say I\u2019ve had the pleasure of this scary-sounding North Center venue, but Handbag maestro David Cerda now is older than Santa Claus and his crew has been camping up Christmas for longer than I can remember.\u00a0 The title of this year\u2019s show is pretty self-explanatory and if you have to ask, maybe this is not your bag. But if you are a Cerda and a Honey West fan, roll up for the laughs.<\/p>\n Nov. 20 to Jan. 4, 2026, by Hell in a Handbag Productions at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave., handbagproductions.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d<\/p>\n Somebody in Chicago is always doing Irving Berlin\u2019s \u201cWhite Christmas,\u201d and this year it\u2019s the turn of the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. The accomplished Chicago director Stephen Schellhardt is in charge in the western \u2018burbs; Evan C. Dolan plays Phil Davis, Jessie J. Potter will be Judy Haynes, Sophie Grimm plays Betty Haynes and Alex Syiek rounds out the cast as Bob Wallace. Given the Paramount\u2019s big mainstage budgets and famous love of spectacle, I feel secure saying it surely will snow in the theater.<\/p>\n![\"Bri](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/PTB-L-POTEMPA-COL-1128-01.jpg\")
Bri Sudia is the holly-covered Ghost of Christmas Present opposite Christopher Donahue in his first turn as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Goodman Theatre\u2019s “A Christmas Carol” in December 2024. (Liz Lauren)
\n\u201cDiary of a Black Illusionist\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/CTC-L-ENT-SPELLBINDER-03_a5e797.jpg\")
Chicago magician Walter King Jr., aka The Spellbinder, performs “Diary of a Black Illusionist” at the Magic Lounge. (Sarah Elizabeth Larson)
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life: Live From Chicago\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Megan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Megan-Hilty-3.-Photo-by-Anthony-Matula.jpg\")
Megan Hilty is doing a holiday cabaret-style show on Halsted Street with music direction by Matt Cusson. (Anthony Matula)
\n\u201cA Merry Little Christmas with Megan Hilty\u201d<\/p>\n![\""Manual](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_chi-manual-cinema-ca_2_1_E07EP62D_L280472210.jpg\")
\u201cManual Cinema\u2019s Christmas Carol\u201d is a mixed-media take on the Charles Dickens story. (Provided by Manual Cinema)
\n\u201cThe Real Housewives of the North Pole\u201d<\/p>\n