ML - Michigan Avenue

2014 - Issue 8 - December/January

Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!

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photography by Johnny Knight (american blues theater); cheryl mann (nutcracker) 1. A Touching TrAdiTion Travel back in time via a 1940s-style radio broad- cast of Frank Capra's yuletide classic with American Blues Theater's It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, performed by a cast of eight. November 21–December 28. Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-404-7336; americanbluestheater.com 2. SeASonAl SerieS Step Up Production's HoliDaze roundup returns for its second year of six original one-act productions, including company member Joshua Rollins's Perfect Space, a Christmas Day piece that centers on Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. November 21– December 21. Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., 312-316-8355; stepupproductions.org 3. FAmily FAre With sketches like Santa and Taco Bell, Barrel of Monkeys' That's Weird, Grandma: The Holiday Special shows the holidays through the eyes of babes with a rotating collection of short works written by Chicago Public Schools students, making it ideal for kids and adults alike. December 8–January 5. The Neo-Futurists Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., 312-409-1954; barrelofmonkeys.org 4. The Beloved BAlleT Performed by the Chicago Philharmonic, Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker comes to life in Joffrey Ballet's holiday tradition. December 5–28. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., 312-386-8905; joffrey.org/nutcracker 5. holidAy hijinkS Goodman Theatre joins forces with The Second City for Twist Your Dickens, or Scrooge You!, a pop cul- ture crossover (written by The Colbert Report alumni Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort) that mixes the major players of A Christmas Carol with characters from the Peanuts comic strip, the Island of Misft Toys, and Little Orphan Annie. December 5–28. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., 312-443-3800; goodmantheatre.org/twist a Holiday Handful five festive shows worth catching this season. by meg mathis i cannot wait to see the big debut. What inspired you to write a musical? One year I thought to take my kids to see a show that spun my head when I was little: the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. My then-10-year-old son, Shane, said, "Dad, that show made me hate Christmas." I was like, "Whoa, have these times changed!" The new generation is looking for something a little newer, and that started to get me thinking about Rock & Roll Christmas Tale. With your metal background, how did you go about writing for a Broadway audience? Look at me onstage in the heyday with Twisted. I always say, "What about me in makeup and costumes didn't scream musical theater?" [Sings] Hello, Frisco! [Laughs] I was a headbanger, but I'm also a choir geek. I was in drama club, I sang Jesus Christ Superstar in high school, and I did Broadway with Rock of Ages, so I've always had an appreciation for entertaining people on a total level. do you have a favorite christmas carol? My favorite Christmas song? I didn't realize until somebody pointed it out that I ripped off the first six notes of "We're Not Gonna Take It" from "O Come, All Ye Faithful," which I sang for 19 years in the church choir. I owe a lot to that song. [Laughs] dee, i can't believe you didn't say "Silent night," our beautiful duet! My second favorite song? "Silent Night!" let's talk about "Silent night." Yeah, let's talk about the one that got away. Giuliana auditioned for Rock & Roll Christmas Tale, and we were ready for her to stink. Readers, Giuliana killed it vocally, visually, dramatically—and then she's not available to do the part! She's the biggest tease in the world. Giuliana Rancic, I'm putting it out there. i'm going to be there for christmas—don't think i'm not going to try to sneak up [and] ambush the stage. i'm sure "Silent night" will be a big download this holiday season because we did a fun rock version—[with] proceeds from digital download sales [supporting] my charity, Fab-u- Wish. As much of an honor as it was to work with you, it's great to be able to give back, so that's a personal thank you. I was more than pleased to do that and work with you. We've become friends, and I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with you. What do you love most about the Windy city? you know i'm a huge fan. I brought my wife, Suzette, to the city, and she said, "Wow, this is New York's prettier sister." I'm a New Yorker born and bred, but you've got to acknowledge when the prettier sister walks in—and she is prettier. [Laughs] Dee Snider's Rock & Roll Christmas Tale runs through January 4. Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., 800-775-2000; broadwayinchicago.com. For more from Dee and Giuliana, visit michiganavemag.com. ma 1 3 4 60  michiganavemag.com CulTuRE Hottest Ticket

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