Displaying items by tag: holiday show

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027. The Christmas Schooner is presented with book by John Reeger and music and lyrics by Julie Shannon. The Metropolis production is directed by Patrick Tierney, music directed by Kailey Rockwell and choreographed by Jenna Schoppe. Previews are Tuesday, Nov. 24, Wednesday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. (no preview on Thursday, Nov. 26), Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with additional performances Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The performance on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. will be closed-captioned, and the performance on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. will be ASL-interpreted. There will be no performances on Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25, Thursday, Dec. 31 or Friday, Jan 1. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.

It is Christmastime in Manistique, Michigan, in the late 1880s, and a German-American family is preparing their home for the holidays. They receive a fateful letter from a cousin in Chicago, who writes with longing about her desire for a Christmas tree to rekindle the beauty and magic of their childhood holiday traditions. As it turns out, there are more than enough trees to go around in Manistique, and one man is brave enough to captain the journey through the treacherous Lake Michigan waves. His voyages become a yearly tradition, despite his wife's misgivings – until a fateful voyage makes her realize the true importance of his mission. The Christmas Schooner is a heartfelt tale of compassion, bravery and the commitment to make the world a better place, based on the real-life stories of the sailors who brought magic to Chicago families all those years ago.

The cast of The Christmas Schooner includes Arlo Beckwith (Karl Stossel, age 9);

Bennet Angsurat (Karl Stossel, age 9); Daniel Houle (Gustav Stossel); Jared Hoover (Peter Stossel); Jenece Upton (Alma Stossel); Cameron McCabe (Karl Stossel, age 15/Young Man); Xander Mendez (Karl Stossel, age 15/Young Man); Korey White (Rudy/Man #1); Ian Rigg (Oskar/Man #2); David Blakeman (Steve/Man #3); Matt Frye (Hans/Officer Wells/Man #4); Laura Quiñones (Enid/Woman #1); Amelia Tam (Martha/Kate/Woman #2); Janelle Sanabria (Olive/Rose/Woman #3); Molly Hamada (Mary Claire Daugherty/Young Girl); Layla Grace Robinson (Mary Claire Daugherty/Young Girl); Annie Beaubien (Swing); Kameron Rojas-Schueneman (Swing) and Xander Ramirez (Swing).

The Christmas Schooner's creative team includes Patrick Tierney (director); Kailey Rockwell (music director); Jenna Schoppe (choreographer); Katie Pohlheber (stage manager); Emma Lipson (assistant stage manager); Caroline Mueller (SM/ASM swing); Angela Weber Miller (scenic designer); Dan Frank (lighting designer); Sarah Ramos (sound designer); Ryan Suarez (assistant sound designer); Rachel Sypniewski (costume designer); Kelli Lawrence (props designer); Amber Wuttke (intimacy coordinator); Trevor Turner (technical director); Renae Richmond (wig & hair designer); Brett Baleksi (scenic artist); Taylor Repak (youth supervisor); Eddy Finch (youth supervisor swing); Maya Reter (sound engineer); Elie Bufford (sound engineer swing); and Venus Petter (wardrobe supervisor).

ABOUT PATRICK TIERNEY, DIRECTOR

Patrick Tierney is a longtime Chicago theatre artist, born and raised on the city's southwest side. Previous directing credits include: Little Women (Roosevelt University), Oliver! A Staged Concert (Metropolis), Gypsy (Beverly Theatre Guild), The Sound of Music and Hello, Dolly! (Beverly Arts Center), The Music Man (Children's Theatre of Winnetka) and Eleanor's Very Merry Christmas Wish (Ghostlight Theatre). As an actor and proud member of Actors Equity, he has worked with the Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, Marriott Lincolnshire, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Metropolis and Chicago Kids Company, where he is currently directing several shows in their 26/27 season.

ABOUT KAILEY ROCKWELL, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Kailey Rockwell earned a bachelor of music from Columbia College Chicago and now works all over the Chicagoland area music directing, performing, arranging and teaching. Notable companies include: Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Music Theater Works, Goodman Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, North Carolina Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre and American Theatre Company. Rockwell is a proud member of AFM and MAESTRA.

ABOUT JENNA SCHOPPE, CHOREOGRAPHER

Jenna Schoppe returns to Metropolis after choreographing 9 to 5. Her other Chicago-area choreography credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Godspell and Once Upon A Mattress (Theo Ubique), Nunsense, Call Me Madam and Do Re Mi (Porchlight Music Theatre), Spongebob the Musical (Kokandy Productions), Mamma Mia and Kinky Boots (Highland Park Players) and Yank! A World War Two Love Story (Pride Films and Plays). In 2025, Schoppe made her directorial debut with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Clinton Area Showboat in Clinton, IA. She is currently on staff at Roosevelt University as an adjunct professor of dance.

ABOUT METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural hub that enriches the community through inspiring live performances, creative arts education and impactful partnerships. It fosters artistic excellence, cultivates multi-generational connections and offers inclusive experiences that engage and uplift all community members. Located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, Metropolis is not just a theatre, it is the cultural pulse of the area, surrounded by premier shopping, dining and nightlife. Metropolis offers a dynamic year-round season of professional theatre, comedy, concerts and cabaret performances along with engaging arts education for ages 3 to 85 years old. Serving more than 65,000 patrons annually from across Chicagoland and beyond, Metropolis plays a pivotal role in the community. It provides arts education programs that support thousands of aspiring young artists, as well as community engagement initiatives like the Third Act Players (musical theatre for thespians over 50), Crescendo Chorus (for singers over 55), Flourish in the Footlights (for young artists with disabilities) and Clearbrook on Cue (for artists with disabilities). Metropolis is proud to partner with local organizations such as Endeavor Health, Arlington Heights Senior Center and Clearbrook. Scholarships are available for students at the School of the Performing Arts to ensure access to the arts for all.

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027. The Christmas Schooner is presented with book by John Reeger and music and lyrics by Julie Shannon. The Metropolis production is directed by Patrick Tierney, music directed by Kailey Rockwell and choreographed by Jenna Schoppe. Previews are Tuesday, Nov. 24, Wednesday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. (no preview on Thursday, Nov. 26) and Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with additional performances Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The performance on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. will be closed-captioned, and the performance on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. will be ASL interpreted. There will be no performances on Thursday, Dec. 24, Friday, Dec. 25, Thursday, Dec. 31 or Friday, Jan 1. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to present its annual live production of "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker" featuring original choreography by the legendary Ruth Page and directed by the artistic team:Victor Alexander, Birute Barodicaite, Dori Rothschild, Chrissy Lacny, John Atterberry and Renardo Johnson.

Chicago's longest-running "Nutcracker" has delighted tens of thousands of fans and begins this season with a special one-hour version of the celebrated production, "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite," at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 and 5 p.m.  The acclaimed full-length version comes to Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts, 1 University Pkwy., Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. The ballet returns to Northeastern Illinois University's Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 and 5 p.m. The final weekend of performances is at the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St. in Grayslake, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $17 to $59 (depending on venue), are on sale beginning October 1 at RuthPage.org.

Originally presented at the Arie Crown Theatre from 1965 until 1997, this production is Chicago's longest-running Nutcracker tradition, recreating highlights from Ruth Page's beloved original full-length staging. It features exquisite dancing, world-renowned guest artists, stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets. International and local guest artists are featured alongside the talented dancers of the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program and students from Ruth Page School of Dance.   

About Ruth Page Center for the Arts

Having already established herself as an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and arts patron, Ruth Page created a performing arts center where artistic expression could thrive. The Ruth Page Center, led by Executive Director Sara Schumann, is widely recognized as an integral part of the global dance community not only for its history through founder, Ruth Page, but also for the essential programs vital to the cultural landscape of Chicago. For more information about Ruth Page Center for the Arts and its programs visit RuthPage.org.

 About the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program

Established by Artistic Director Victor Alexander, the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program serves as a bridge between studio training and a professional dance career. Dancers train and rehearse daily throughout the school year focusing on refining ballet and contemporary techniques in an international environment of performers, educators and mentors. This program is designed for students between the ages of 17-25 who have completed high school and are preparing for a professional career. Dancers are guided and mentored by Alexander, alongside Associate Director Dolores Long and Artistic Associate Maray Gutierrez. They are joined in performances by notable guest artists and choreographers, expanding the sphere of their professional work.

Chicago's longest-running "Nutcracker" has delighted tens of thousands of fans and begins this season with a special one-hour version of the celebrated production, "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite," at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 and 5 p.m.  The acclaimed full-length version comes to Governors State University's The Center for the Performing Arts, 1 University Pkwy., Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. The ballet returns to Northeastern Illinois University's (NEIU) Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 and 5 p.m. The final weekend of performances is at the College of Lake County's (CLC) James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St. in Grayslake, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $5 to $59 (depending on venue), are on sale October 1 at RuthPage.org.

It’s a truth universally known that the holidays aren’t always a great time for everyone. Holiday traditions and expectations can often leave us feeling emotionally void or overwhelmed, particularly with how bleak 2023 has been for so many. But in every darkness there is joy to be sparked and light to be found, if one is willing to look for it. This holiday season I discovered a shining light in the The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show at Auditorium Theatre. 

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show is an internationally acclaimed holiday variety show returning to Chicago following the massive success of their previous holiday tours. Co-written, co-created, and starring global drag icons and RuPaul’s Drag Race stars BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon, fans braved the winter cold to witness a fabulous spectacle, whip-smart comedy, and creative song parodies embodying and cleverly critiquing holiday traditions. 

The holiday show harkens back to classic comedy variety shows that used to dominate television and stage. Jinkx and DeLa are an iconic and dynamic duo, with quick and witty banter and humor that is conflict free, a rarity in today’s comedic world. Even more impressive is that the show is entirely helmed by the queens themselves, with BenDeLaCreme in the producer and director’s chairs.  Too often, queer and drag stories are written and produced by people outside of the community. The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show and BenDeLaCreme Presents are reminders why authentic queer storytelling is not only necessary but should be widely celebrated. BenDeLaCreme says, “With all the hatred, darkness, and misinformation flying around our world today, it is an honor and a privilege to spend the holidays with tens of thousands of audience members each year, creating joyous community spaces where we can gather strength through laughter and celebration. Whether you consider it the most wonderful time of year or the most troubling, we’re here to tell you… you’re right! So let’s make it our own.” Monsoon adds, “It’s been a wild year, so let’s end it wildly. DeLa and I strive to entertain while we enlighten and enliven. The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show is not only a moment of respite, but also of community, at a time where we need our chosen family and community most of all. So add us to your holiday plans, or let us BE your holiday plans— either way, you’re welcome to join us.”

The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show is a shining light within the darkness, and truly a magnificent experience. The Auditorium Theatre audience were loyal followers of Jinkx and DeLa, many having seen their 2023 show in multiple cities on their tour, while others were back for their yearly tradition of seeing the iconic duo perform. In talking with Jinkx and DeLa, we learned this year’s holiday show changed the formula of the variety show, pairing the usual sweet vs. spicy duo as a united front, emphasizing the core message of togetherness and unity amidst an ever divisive and polarizing world. At the end of the show, the stars beseeched the audience to carry the joy, laughter, and love exuded and felt throughout the show out into the dark world; to spark that light within others and be the light so needed in the darkness. With everything that has happened in 2023, and the last few years,  Jinkx and DeLa have channeled their worry, frustration, and anxiety into a beautifully crafted show filled with lightness, and have created an enduring and worthwhile holiday tradition sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

Though the tour only visited Chicago for one night, this show is sure to become a staple in Chicagoland, only growing and getting better with time. One of the prevailing themes of this year’s variety show was that while our traditions anchor us to the holiday season, we can consistently look within ourselves and our communities to create new traditions or adapt and grow our old traditions. And most importantly, if we cannot find a light within the darkness, we ourselves can be the light for those around us. I cannot wait to add The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show a must-see holiday tradition and I’ll see you all there in 2024.

This year’s tour will run through December 30 across the US, UK, and Canada with the show that proves they’re still the reigning “queens of Christmas'' (Entertainment Weekly). Tickets are available at JinkxandDeLa.com.