Christmas would not be complete without The Nutcracker. The Joffrey Ballet’s production choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon tells a magical story of love and family and the 1893 World’s Fair. Or, try the House Theater of Chicago’s alternative: an inspiring, ballet-free rendition.
“Merry, Merry Chicago!” 12/14-12/23, dates and times vary; see website, and Handel Messiah 12/19-12/23, times vary; see website, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan, 312-294-3000, cso.org, $41-$155.
A Klingon Christmas Carol Through 12/16: Thu-Fri 8 PM, Sat-Sun 3 and 8 PM; no performances Sat 12/1, 3 PM, Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, 773-387-9237, edgeoforion.com, $22.
It’s Christmas, Goddamnit! Through 12/28: Fri 8 PM, the Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 773-697-9693, theannoyance.com, $20, $18 students.
Christmas Mubarak 11/30-12/11: Fri 8 PM, Sat-Sun 2 PM, Mon-Tue 7:30 PM, Silk Road Rising, 77 W. Washington, 312-857-1234, silkroadrising.org, $38, $21.50 students.
Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical Through 12/23: dates and times vary; see website, Theater at the Center, 1040 Ridge Rd., Munster, Indiana, 219-836-3255, theateratthecenter.com, $42-$46, $20 students. v
