What’s your celebration style? Dance, music, theater or maybe an offbeat comedy?
However Lake County residents want to celebrate the holidays, there are plenty of options nearby this season.
“For the holidays, we’re reaching out to a community of all different ages and tastes,” said Jan Gibson, general manager of Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. “We are a regional theater, and that’s our goal. We have a month of a variety of holiday shows we think will draw a lot of people out to the theater. We’ve got cool jazz, classical, country, 60s rock and roll.”
One of Gibson’s favorites is the annual performance of the Nutcracker ballet by Dance Center Studio North of Libertyville.
“My heart is always with the Nutcracker,” she said. “We have professionals and children from the area dancing, and they are all so talented.”
She said she enjoys seeing families return each year to see the production as a tradition. “It’s just so festive,” she said.
Gibson said she’s also looking forward to the King of Christmas, which features Brandon Bennett as Elvis Presley and Alexis as Billie Holiday, singing ’60s era tunes including popular holiday songs.
“We had Brandon Bennett here before, and he was such fun,” she said. “What a charming guy. I walked across the stage during sound check and he sounded like Elvis. I really thought Elvis was on stage. During intermission, everybody got up out of their seats and wanted to meet him.”
This season, music and theater lovers also can listen to Celtic Christmas music at the James Lumber Center in Grayslake and see the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” at PM&L Theatre in Antioch. They can also bring their children and grandchildren to the Antioch train station for the annual traditional train rides with Santa to the North Pole.
Here are 10 events to help you enjoy this holiday season.
Antioch
*Journey to the North Pole: 11 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, Nov. 29- Dec. 23; Antioch Train Station, 305 Depot St., $22- $25; call 847-395-2160 or go to www.authenticantioch.com/2016/09/13/aboard-north-pole-express/
Children, their parents and grandparents can take a 3.5-mile roundtrip visit to the North Pole where they’ll meet Santa, have lunch, participate in crafts and listen to Santa read. All are encouraged to wear pajamas. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Antioch Park District, 807 Holbeck Drive.
*”A Christmas Carol”: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 2-17; 2:30 p.m., Sundays, Dec. 4-18; PM&L Theatre, 877 Main St. $13-$15; Call 847-305-3955 or go to www.pmltheatre.com/holiday-show.html
The PM&L Theatre presents its annual tradition, a performance based on Charles Dicken’s famous story, “A Christmas Carol,” adapted and directed by Rebecca Zellar.
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Grayslake
*Holiday Choral Concert: 4 p.m., Dec. 10, James Lumber Center, 19351 Washington; $3-$4; Call 847-543-2300 or go to www.jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
The CLC Singers, Choir of Lake County, Chamber Singers and Gospel Choir will celebrate the sounds of the season.
*Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas: 4 p.m. Dec. 18; James Lumber Center, 19351 Washington; $12-$35; Call 847-543-2300 or go to www.jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
Irish storyteller, musician and director Foley brings an old-fashioned Irish Christmas to the stage. It includes singing, dancing and storytelling.
Waukegan
*Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Party Ever: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1; Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.; $28-$49. Call 847-263-6300 or go to www.geneseetheatre.com
Spector, formerly of the Ronettes and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, will perform “Sleigh Ride,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Be My Baby” and other 1960s hits and holidays songs.
*”Santa vs. Krampus”: 7: 30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 2-17; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 4-18; Three Brothers Theatre, 115 N. Genesee St.; $15-$20; Call 224-419-4325 or go to www.3brostheatre.com.
In the play, “Santa vs. Krampus,” patterned after a 2015 horror movie, the fireplace elf rats get some naughty children in trouble, leading to a big surprise from Krampus, the evil counterpart to Santa Claus.
*LeAnn Rimes Today is Christmas Tour 2016: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2; Genesee Theater, 203 N. Genesee St.; $38-$58; Call 847-263-6300 or go to www.geneseetheatre.com
Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, Rimes will perform old favorites and holiday songs including. “Blue,” “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Today is Christmas.”
*”Magic of the Nutcracker”: 10 a.m. Dec. 9; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 10; Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.; $15-$36; Call 847-263-6300 or go to www.geneseetheatre.com
Dancenter North brings its annual “Magic of the Nutcracker” to the Genesee featuring more than 100 performers including internationally known artists and talented local ballet students.
*Christmas with the King: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17; Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesse St.; $35-$45; Call 847-263-6300 or go to www.geneseetheatre.com
Elvis tribute artist Brandon Bennett sings “Blue Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and other favorites. Alexis Roston, an award-winning Chicago singer, leads the show with a tribute to Billie Holiday with tunes including “God Bless the Child” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
*”Wizards of Winter: Tales Beneath a Northern Star”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16; Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.; $28-$49; Call 847-263-6300 or go to www.geneseetheatre.com
The rock-opera-like show with stage theatrics explores the true meaning of Christmas. The 12-member group includes former members of the Trans Siberian Orchestra and features original music from the group’s new album, “The Magic of Winter.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News Sun.
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