A Night at the Museum, holiday theater, and more

Chance the Rapper’s youth empowerment charity organization, SocialWorks, hosts their annual A Night at the Museum event tonight at the Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.). It’s a family-focused evening that benefits unhoused people and organizations that serve them; guests are invited to support the effort by bringing new and/or gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and/or toys that SocialWorks will redistribute to area shelters. The event includes vendor booths, interactive museum activities, food, performers, giveaways, and music (including Reader staffer Shawnee Dez and her band playing at 6:45 PM!). The party happens from 6-10 PM; go to SocialWorks for more information and to purchase $15 advance tickets. (SCJ)

Evanston’s youth-oriented Mudlark Theater presents a non-balletic take on The Nutcracker by returning to E. T. A. Hoffmann’s original 1816 story. Adapted by Christina Lepri, the story follows 12-year-old Marie, whose family thinks it’s time for her to give up her imaginary world of toys. What they don’t know is that Toyland is real. The show, which was last produced at Mudlark in 2018, features a cast of mostly young actors. It runs tonight at 7 PM, Saturday 3 and 7 PM, and Sunday 3 PM at Mudlark (1417 Hinman, Evanston); tickets are $18, but the company also has a “pay it forward” ticketing system whereby patrons can access a ticket someone else has already paid for (or, in the spirit of the holiday, you can make a ticket available for someone else). Reservations and information at 847-448-0708 or mudlarktheater.org. (KR)

We may not have a white Christmas, but at least we’re getting Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, courtesy of Skokie’s Music Theater Works and opening tonight at 8 PM at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie). Based on the 1954 Bing Crosby film (though the title song was actually introduced in Crosby’s 1942 film, Holiday Inn), the 2009 stage musical features a book by David Ives and Paul Blake to go along with the Berlin score. The story of two WWII vets turned song-and-dance men trying to put on a show to save their commander’s Vermont Inn (with the help of a pair of beautiful singing sisters) could definitely use some updating; fortunately, the film’s cringe-inducing minstrel segment has been excised. Sasha Gerritson directs; it runs through Sun 1/1, and tickets are $39-$106, with half-price tickets available for those 25 and under. Call 847-673-6300 or visit musictheaterworks.com for information and reservations. (KR)

Tyler Anthony Smith won raves for his show Frankenstreisand earlier this year with Hell in a Handbag, and now he’s twisted together Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire and the story of the Nativity in The Kindness of Mangers for Sweetback Productions at the Den (1331 N. Milwaukee). Smith plays “The Not-So-Virgin Stella,” who, after sister Blanche is whisked off to the mental hospital from Stella and Stanley’s New Orleans apartment, turns around to find she’s been transported to Bethlehem—and she’s pregnant. Smith’s show, directed by Stephanie Shaw (who also did the honors for Frankenstreisand), traces Stella’s struggles with a hay allergy, talking animals, and a salty innkeeper named Cathy Moriarty. The show is recommended for 18+ due to what Sweetback Productions calls “VERY VERY MATURE CONTENT.” It runs tonight and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM; tickets are $21 at thedentheatre.com. (KR)

If you’re not in the mood to go out to a show, WTTW and Chicago Shakespeare Theater will bring the show to you! The Q Brothers Collective (GQ, JQ, Jackson Doran, and Postell Pringle) and Chicago Shakes teamed up for Christmas Carol: The Remix, a recording of a live performance of the Q Collective’s “ad-rap-tation” of the Charles Dickens classic, which Chicago Shakespeare last presented at Navy Pier in The Yard space in 2019 as Q Brothers Christmas Carol. It’s airing on Channel 11 and WTTW Prime at some odd times after tonight’s 9 PM showing; tomorrow at 10 AM, Sunday at 3:30 AM, and then 12:30 PM Christmas Eve and 9:30 AM on Christmas. But heck, that’s what DVRs are for, and if you’re looking for something other than the endless marathon of A Christmas Story to watch over the holiday, this might well fill the bill. See schedule.wttw.com for information. (KR)

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