THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Getting in the Spirit for Arrival of the Holidays!

This is it Chicago — your last weekend before the holidays are here!  Let’s all get in the spirit and take some time to enjoy ourselves.  You can finish your holiday shopping on Monday!!

This holiday season, the Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St.) in The Loop will present (in the Owen Theatre) The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris.  Chicago favorite Matt Crowle makes his Goodman debut in a solo performance as the strapped-for-cash struggling actor who takes a job as “Crumpet the Elf” at Macy’s Santaland with his hilarious observations which are more naughty than nice!  This is a must see for those who prefer their eggnog spiked!!

Vicki Quade, creator of the smash hit Late Nite Catechism, invites you to get into the holiday spirit with her hilarious new show Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night at the Royal George Theater (1641 N. Halsted St.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Be sure to brush up on your Yuletide trivia as this is a uniquely interactive show where you’ll be playing for actual prizes!  Mrs. Mary Margaret O’Brien, the bingo caller and a former nun, will have you in stitches as she tackles the wackiest myths and most outrageous facts about Christmas, which include old St. Nick’s origins and where candy canes come from.  But she’ll also send disobedient bingo players (including you) to stand with their noses to the chalkboard!!

Laugh Out Loud Chicago (3851 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the North Center neighborhood will be hosting The Ha-Ha-Holiday Show this Saturday with two performances (7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.).  Watch Santa guess what the actors want for Christmas or sing along with an improvised carol about the worst presents you ever received.  It’s simple, you provide the inspiration and the actors provide the laughs to get you through the holidays or at least the end of the night!  BTW, the early show is family-friendly while the later show is anything goes!!

For 18 years, the American Blues Ensemble has treated Chicago audiences to a live 1940’s radio broadcast of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  The incredible cast recreates the entire town of Bedford Falls with Foley sound effects, an original score, and holiday carols.  Each actor tackles multiple roles, with the cast of eight creating the 30-plus characters who populate the fictional town.  And, after each performance, milk and cookies are served by the cast!  It’s the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago and not to be missed!!

Finally, this Saturday (4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.) take the Chicago Holiday Lights Tour which begins at O’Shaughnessy’s Pub and Grill (4557 N. Ravenswood Ave.) in the Ravenswood neighborhood.  You, your family and/or friends will board a deluxe motor coach with a variety of drinks and food for a 5-hour tour exploring all of Chicago’s Christmas and Holiday light displays.  Along the journey, there will be prize giveaways, free prizes, raffles, and nothing but fun and excitement!  In addition, this event is kid friendly!!

Hope You’re in the Holiday Spirit Now!  Best Wishes!!