There are many wonderful ways to celebrate the holidays — from revisiting Jane Austen characters to hearing Christmas music of 17th century Mexico. Here are 10 great things to do this holiday season in the central and north suburbs.
1. “Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley”: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays (Nov. 29 and Dec. 20 only), 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. (Dec. 23 only) and 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 p.m. (except Nov. 26) and 8 p.m. (except Dec. 24) Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Nov. 27 only) Sundays, Nov. 25-Dec. 24 at Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $30-$89. 847-673-6300; northlight.org/events/georgiana-kitty-christmas-at-pemberly.
The third and final installment of the “Pemberley” trilogy by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, is based on two characters from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Pianist Georgiana Darcy is fearful of romance. Optimist Kitty Bennet is her sister and best friend. The two of them are ready for adventure when a secret correspondent arrives.
2. A Mexican Christmas: 8 p.m. Dec. 9 by The Newberry Consort at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $25, $10 students, free for ages under 16. 847-607-1418; newberryconsort.org/christmas.
Audiences will be transported back to 17th century Mexico City at Christmastime during this concert which marks a return of an annual tradition. A choir of women’s voices will sing the music of cloistered nuns and musicians from EnsAmble Ad-Hoc, which specializes in early Latin American and Spanish music, will recreate the joyful folk music of praise and celebration that was performed by street musicians.
3. “Duke It Out! Nutcracker”: 2 p.m. Dec. 10 by Music Institute of Chicago at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $10 in person and livestream. 847-448-8326; musicinst.org/nutcracker22.
A unique version of the “Nutcracker” tale combines the classical music of Tchaikovsky with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s jazz sounds. Dance Chicago curates the family-friendly hourlong performance featuring members of Axiom Brass and Music Institute Ensemble in Residence Quintet Attacca. The concert will be preceded by an interactive musical instrument petting zoo at 1 p.m.
4. Hanukkah a cappella: 4 p.m. Dec. 11, Chicago a cappella at Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Ave., Wilmette; week of Dec. 19 on demand. Tickets: $35-$45. 773-281-7820; chicagoacappella.org.
Works by eight living composers — from prayers to playful holiday favorites — will explore the deeper meaning of the holiday. The goal of the concert is to showcase the creativity of American Jewish musical traditions.
5. “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”: 1 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays (no shows Dec. 24, 25, or 29), Dec. 14-Jan. 1, 2023, by Music Theater Works at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $39-$84. 847-673-6300; musictheaterworks.com.
A song-and-dance duo help save a failing Vermont Inn owned by their former Army commander in this new adaptation of the heartwarming classic film. It features such Berlin favorites as “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep is the Ocean,” and the title tune.
6. “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Dec. 15-17 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at Mudlark Theater, 1417 Hinman Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $17. 847-448-0708; mudlarktheater.org/tickets-1.
Twelve-year-old Marie’s family wants her to grow up but she doesn’t want to stop living in her imaginary world of toys in this play by Christina Lepri based on the E.T.A. Hoffman short story that inspired Tchaikovsky’s ballet.
7. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”: 1 p.m. Dec. 17 by Northbrook Theatre Youth Company at 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook. Tickets: $14. 847-291-2367; nbparks.org/events/northbrook-community-theatre-presents-the-best-christmas-pageant-ever.
Putting on a church Christmas pageant turns out to be a real struggle for a couple when they cast a family of awfully clever or maybe just plain awful kids in the show. Mayhem ensues in this Christmas classic.
8. Tributosaurus Christmas Spectacular: 8 p.m. Dec. 17, SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $35. 847-492-8860; eventbrite.com and search for Tributosaurus.
A performing group that has been dedicated to honoring music and performers for 20 years will celebrate the holidays with seasonal tunes from such megastars as Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and many others.
9. Holiday Exhibition: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Oakton Ice Arena, 2800 W. Oakton St., Park Ridge. Tickets: free. 847-692-3359; prparks.org/Events/List/holiday-exhibition.
Students in Oakton Ice Arena’s Learn-to-Skate and Competitive Edge programs will skate to holiday-themed music while wearing colorful holiday costumes.
10. ‘Tis the Season: An Afternoon of Holiday Songs: 3 p.m. Dec. 18, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Tickets: $25. 847-677-7761; skokietheatre.org/pascale-trouillot.html.
Singer and actress Pascale M. Trouillot shares some of her favorite holiday songs. The concert will feature an acoustic quartet. Audience members will be encouraged to sing along to their favorites.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.