ART
`THE CHRISTMAS STORY’
A lecture at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Gallery 215 of the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; free; 312-443-3600.
`TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION: TREASURES FROM THE SPERTUS MUSEUM’
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Eighty seldom-seen objects from the museum collection; final week at the Spertus Museum, 618 S. Michigan Ave.; $5; 312-922-9012.
— Alan G. Artner
CLASSICAL
`DIE FLEDERMAUS’
Ring in the New Year with the effervescent and tuneful operetta by Johann Strauss Jr. The show closes Light Opera Works’ 2003 season in a new production directed by artistic director Lara Teeter and Michael Kotze, with Peter Lipari conducting; opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, running at 2 p.m. Dec. 28, 29, 30 and Jan. 4; also at 8 p.m. Dec. 31, Jan. 2 and 3. It runs through Jan. 4 in Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston; $26-$56; half-price for ages 21 and under, except on New Year’s Eve; 847-869-6300.
PROTEGE PHILHARMONIC
The high school-level youth orchestra under Joseph Glymph’s direction will perform a Christmas concert of classical and traditional favorites, also a carol sing-along. Guest artists will be the AMU Academic Choir from Poznan, Poland; at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.; $5-$12; 312-341-1521.
NEWBERRY CONSORT
Tired of the same old Christmas music? Chicago’s flagship early-music ensemble offers a refresher for jaded ears with its holiday concert of lesser-known but equally joyous music from Renaissance Italy and Germany. Newberry members Mary Springfels, David Douglass and David Schrader will perform works for violas, violins and wind instruments; at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.; $30-$40; 312-255-3700.
HANDEL’S `MESSIAH’
It’s the third annual performance of everyone’s favorite holiday oratorio by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the St. Charles Singers under Robert Hanson’s direction. Solo singers will be Patrice Michaels, Michelle Wright, James Doing and Andrew Funk. Hallelujah!; at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin; $12-$58; 847-888-4000.
MIDWEST YOUNG ARTISTS
One of the area’s most important youth orchestras will present a 10th-anniversary gala celebration that includes a dinner, silent art auction and concert. Music director Allan Dennis will lead a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony featuring a young chorus of 250 voices, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. at the Chicago Athletic Association, and the auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Grainger Ballroom of Symphony Center. Tickets and/or dinner reservations can be purchased at 847-926-9898.
— John von Rhein
JAZZ
HANK CRAWFORD
The soulful, veteran alto saxophonist fronts a band led by Chicago guitarist Henry Johnson; Friday through Dec. 31; $20-$40; 312-670-2473.
FREEMAN/PETERSEN
Tenor saxophone masters Von Freeman and Ed Petersen lock horns; 9 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $10; 773-878-5552.
— Howard Reich
MOVIES
`THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (LES INVASIONS BARBARES)’
The irrepressible Montreal academics from Denys Arcand’s 1986 “The Decline of the American Empire” return for another brilliantly witty ensemble comedy-drama. This time, jolly philanderer Remy (Remy Girard) is dying; his conservative businessman son (Stephane Rousseau) and old pals rally around him for a funny-sad-scary farewell. MPAA rating: R. In selected theaters.
ALAIN DELON RETROSPECTIVE
The legendary French actor-producer-director has a distinctive career as a specialist in noir, crime and intense psychological drama. Recommended: “Our Story” (“Notre Histoire”), with Delon and Nathalie Baye as two strangers on a train; at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., Monday; $9; Facets Multimedia, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.; 773-281-9075, 773-281-4114 or www.facets.org.
— Michael Wilmington
THEATER
`CAMELOT’
In Alan Jay Lerner’s unwieldy libretto, the Round Table always was loaded down with too much stuff, but people tend to forgive the show’s problems once Lancelot cranks up “If Ever I Would Leave You,” or Arthur and Queen Guenevere trade queries in “What Do the Simple Folk Do?” There’s strong and seasoned work from Ray Frewen, Cory Goodrich’s fervent queen, and Joe Van Slyke and David Lively as Merlin and Pellinore, respectively; through Jan. 4 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace; $22-$25, dinner theater packages start at $38.50; 630-530-0111.
`CELEBRATION ON ICE’
It has ice. It has skaters. It has Circus Boy, who juggles and walks on ladders. It has impressionist Frank Pisani, as well as skating, dancing tributes to everything from “Chicago” to “Ghostbusters” to “God Bless the U.S.A.” It is the final show in the history of Drury Lane Evergreen Park; in January, this haven of architectural kitsch and various, cherished show business traditions — from star-driven dinner theater to musicals to variety shows such as this one — is razed to make way for a Wal-Mart; through Jan. 11 at Drury Lane Evergreen Park, 2500 W. 95th St.; $26, lunch or dinner and show, $46; 708-422-0404.
`JAMES JOYCE’S THE DEAD’
Set on a single evening, the show ushers the audience into the Morkan sisters’ annual yuletide party, full of song and regrets and family feeling. Director Charles Newell’s intimate revival is back again, and it’s as satisfying as it was last year. Topping a strong cast of singing actors, Deanna Dunagan returns to the role of ailing Aunt Julia; through Jan. 4 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Hyde Park; $26-$50; 773-753-4472.
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`THE MISANTHROPE’
Moliere’s 17th Century courtiers go Hollywood, via London, in Martin Crimp’s adaptation of the masterwork. We’re in a posh London hotel suite wherein an A-list Hollywood actress (Kati Brazda) drives her jealous, sour playwright-lover (Nick Sandys) to distraction with all her frippery and flirtations and hypocritical fawning. The update only occasionally feels like a straitjacket, thanks to a very stylish and confidently acted Next Theatre production directed by Jason Loewith; ends Sunday at Next Theatre Company, 927 Noyes St, Evanston; $12-$29; 847-475-1875.
— Michael Phillips
`ACCIDENTAL RAPTURE’
Eric Pfeffinger’s intelligent and thoroughly compelling new play about the complex relationship between secular humanists and conservative Christians is a revelation; through Dec. 21 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., $12-15; 773-506-4542.
`BROADWAY BOUND’
Neil Simon’s autobiographical play — faithfully, expansively and amusingly revived at Pegasus Players — is among the very best of the many great Simon comedies; through Sunday at Pegasus Players, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.; $10-25; 773-878-9761.
`A CHRISTMAS CAROL’
As has been the case for years, this show is dignified, moving, thoughtful, engrossing and alive. Under Kate Buckley’s straightforward and laudably clear-eyed direction, the piece has darkened so much further that comparing the 2003 edition with those fine but very different productions in the mid-1990s at the old Goodman is like comparing Edward Munch to Thomas Kinkade; through Saturday at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; $30-55; 312-443-3800.
`GREAT SOCIETY’
Set in 1964, the Chicago-themed comedy focuses on the smaller, paranoid cogs in the Richard J. Daley machine. It’s sharp, carefully researched and penned with panache by Barbara Wallace and Thomas R. Wolfe. It has plenty of good belly laughs; through Jan. 4 at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.; $16-$32. 773-327-5252.
`JOB OPPORTUNITY’
In Michael Fossberg’s noir-esque crime-caper show, the dramatic action takes place in the moving front seat of a 1985 Oldsmobile — literally. All seating for the audience, maximum of four, is in the car, which roams the city streets. The real fun is that one has no idea which street denizens are in the cast and who is simply roaming the streets. There’s a whiff of danger here, especially if you go for one of the late-night road trips; through Jan. 25; maximum audience size is four; car leaves from the Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport Ave.; $38.50-$44.40; 773-325-1700.
`OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS’
Joe DiPietro’s proudly retro play is a shamelessly sentimental piece of emotional realism about an initially ungrateful young fellow who comes to understand the worth of his quartet of New Jersey grandparents only when he decides to move to Seattle to pursue his selfish career. Michael Weber’s production cuts the treacle with performances from a splendid quartet of veteran Chicago actors unafraid to wrestle with the meanness and insularity of old age, as well as the wisdom it imparts; through Jan. 25 at the Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport Ave.; $38.50-44.50; 773-325-1700.
`PANTS ON FIRE’
This is an unusually fertile time for this lively, exuberant and very funny new comedy revue at the spunky Second City e.t.c., which, thanks to an especially talented current cast, continues to beat the pants off the more staid Second City mainstage. Director Joshua Funk and his youthful coterie see and debunk liars everywhere; open run at Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St.; $17-$19; 312-337-3992.
— Chris Jones