THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – ALL SET – BRING ON CHRISTMAS!

All set in Chicago – bring on Christmas!  Well, most of us are set.  But for those who aren’t and need to do their holiday shopping this last weekend before Christmas – good luck!!  The rest of us will kick back and enjoy some holiday entertainment!!!

For families looking for a fun outing that captures the spirit of the season, then Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play is just the ticket.  It’s the story of an overworked Macy’s Department Store public relations executive and the young daughter she raises to be “too realistic” to believe in Santa Claus.  However, this story is delivered as an old-time radio play complete with onstage sound effects by The Artistic Home (1376 W Grand Ave) on the Near West Side this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.!

Another family-friendly outing is The Annoyance Christmas Pageant this Saturday (7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (3:00 p.m.) at The Annoyance Theatre (851 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  This annual Christmas Pageant features a retelling of two classic holiday stories:  A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!  The all-new cast gives these classic holiday T.V. specials a hilarious spin appropriate for little ones’ eyes and ears!!

Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition returns for another magical season to the Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn St.) in The Loop with A Christmas Carol starring Larry Yando as Scrooge!  Performances are Saturday (2:00 p.m./8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (6:30 p.m.).  It’s an iconic tale of a greedy businessman Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present, and future, helping him…. well, if you want to know what happens, go make lasting holiday memories with family & friends at A Christmas Carol!

Waltzing Mechanics is thrilled to be back “decking the halls” of The Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Ave.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this Saturday (3:00 p.m./8:00 p.m.) with their special holiday edition of EL Stories: Holiday Train.  Featuring true stories of CTA experiences and Yuletide cheer, EL Stories is a tradition celebrating one of the Chicago Transit Authority’s most beloved institutions!  Not only will you have a great time at this critically acclaimed hit but it’s sure to spread some holiday cheer!!

Laugh along with The Second City (1616 N. Wells St.) in the Old Town neighborhood as comedy’s best and brightest roast the chestnuts out of all the things we lovingly loathe about the holiday season in The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Sweater!  Performances are Saturday (4:00 p.m./8:00 p.m./11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (4:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.).  It’s enough merriment and music to get you jolly for the holiday season!!

For mature elves only, the Santaland Diaries is brimming with the wicked humor of Sedaris this Saturday (4:00 p.m./8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.) at the Goodman Theatre’s Owen Theater (170 N. Dearborn St.) in The Loop.  An actor, who is strapped for cash at holiday time, takes a job as “Crumpet the Elf” at Macy’s Santaland with his hilarious observations that are more naughty than nice!!

And finally, for those of you who are on Santa’s Naughty List this year, join Bub City (435 N. Clark St.) in the River North neighborhood this Saturday (9:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.) for its annual Bad Santa Christmas Party!  Besides $5 Old Fashioned drinks, spiked cider, and boozy hot cocoa, there will be live music, giveaways, and photos with Santa himself!

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL – READY OR NOT!!