A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ELF, THE SNOW QUEEN and More Set for Chicago This Holiday Season

The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of festive plays and musicals, as well as dance and concert offerings this Holiday season. In support, the League of Chicago Theatres will once again create a comprehensive Holiday Theater Guide that will be available beginning in November at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area. An updated list of holiday shows with additional details about each production will be available throughout the season at www.chicagoplays.com.

The following is a selection of Holiday-themed work playing in Chicago this season.

Classic Chicago favorites include:

The Goodman Theatre presents the beloved Chicago tradition, Charles Dickens' classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL, November 16 - December 29, 2013.

Capra's holiday staple gets the 1940's radio treatment with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: The Radio Play, now in its twelth year at American Theatre Company, November 22 - December 29, 2013, and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Live in chicago! presented by American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, November 25 - December 29, 2013.

The House Theatre presents its fantastical version of THE NUTCRACKER at the Chopin Theatre, weaving dance, text, and songs to tell a story of magic and mystery, November 8 - December 29, 2013.

The Joffrey Ballet's classic THE NUTCRACKER returns to the Auditorium Theatre, December 6 - 28, 2013.

Holiday-themed musicals include:

Broadway in Chicago presents the beloved classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. Join Rudolph and his friends fleeing from the Abominable Snow Monster to save Christmas in this large-scale, spectacle-filled musical at the Broadway Playhouse! November 14 - December 29, 2013.

Mercury Theater brings back the classic Chicago musical THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, November 27 - December 29, 2013. Directed by L. Walter Stearns.

Join Buddy the Elf in his adventures to New York City in attempt to find his father and remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas. Broadway in Chicago presents this modern day Christmas classic, ELF THE MUSICAL, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. November 26 - December 15, 2013.

National Pastime Theater brings back the only rock and roll Hanukah musical in existence with HANNUKATZ, THE MUSICAL at the Preston Bradley Theater, November 29 - December 30, 2013.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Chicago hip-hop sensation the Q Brothers turn up the volume on Charles Dickens' classic story in A Q BROTHER'S CHRISTMAS CAROL, November 30-December 22, 2013.

Holiday comedies include:

David Sedaris' classic comedy SANTALAND DIARIES returns to Theater Wit for the 10th year, November 21 - December 29, 2013

'Tis the season for original comedic one-acts showcasing the crazy, zany, dysfunctional chaos the holidays tend to bring to us all in HOLIDAZE, presented by Step Up Productions at Anthenaeum Theatre. November 29 - December 22, 2013.

Piccolo Theatre's 13th annual Panto sheds new light on an old tale by Hans Christian Andersen in THE SNOW QUEEN, OR WHEN CHRISTMAS FREEZES OVER! By Jessica Puller, Music & lyrics by Rich Maisel, at the Evanston Arts Depot. November 8 - December 21, 2013.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to be producing a brand new holiday show, CHRISTMAS DEAREST by David Cerda. At Mary's Attic, November 29 - December 28, 2013.

MIRACLE ON WELLS STREET is The Second City's new holiday sketch comedy show, performed by The Second City Touring Company, featuring a mix of material pulled from The Second City archives, as well as original material, November 20- December 31, 2013 at UP Comedy Club.

Other notable works include:

Redmoon Theater's annual WINTER PAGEANT returns December 13 - 28, 2013.

Help Gerda find her beloved companion, Kai, who is snatched away by the wicked Snow Queen in Theatre of Western Springs' THE SNOW QUEEN. A play with music, books and lyrics by Adrian Mitchell from the story by Hans Christian Andersen. Composed by Richard Peaslee. December 06 - December 15, 2013.

Chicago a cappella presents HOLIDAYS A CAPPELLA with music direction by Anne Heider. Enjoy this ever-surprising mix of holiday music at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, December 01 - December 14, 2013.

The 21st Anniversary Production of HELLCAB portrays the story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious array of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago on Christmas Eve, at Profiles Theatre, November 8 - January 12, 2013.

Back by popular demand, Provision Theater presents A CHRISTMAS MEMORY and THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR. Based on the best selling books by Truman Capote, adapted by Timothy Gregory. November 20 - December 29, 2013.

Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to more than 200 Chicago area theaters, full price tickets to all Ticketmaster events including concerts and sports, and Play Money gift certificates. Hot Tix tickets are always half-price and may be purchased up to a week in advance of the performance. Hot Tix ticket centers are located in the Loop at 72 E. Randolph Street, at the Chicago Tourism Center and on North Michigan Ave. at the Waterworks Visitors Center located at 163 E. Pearson. Hot Tix are available for purchase online at HotTix.org.

Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago's theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2009-10 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.

For a comprehensive list of ChicaGo Productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com.

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