Arts & (Home) Entertainment

Since being stuck inside, which shows have you been watching? Which movies? Have you read any good books lately? Any new music releases have you dancing in your living room? StreetWise vendors, readers and staff are sharing what is occupying their attention during this unprecedented time.

To be featured in a future edition, send your recommendations of what to do at home and why you love them to: Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

Holiday Laughs!

Christmas Bingo: It’s A Ho-Ho-Holy Night Streaming Comedy

"Christmas Bingo: It’s A Ho-Ho-Holy Night" will take you back to the bingo halls of Catholic church basements! Or, if you’re not of the RC variety (that’s Roman Catholic), you’ll still love this smash hit, streaming throughout the holiday season. Tickets are $20 at nuns4fun-entertainment.ticketleap.com. Performances will be aired through December 27, Wednesdays and Sundays starting at 2 p.m.; Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 6 p.m. Written by Vicki Quade, one of the creators of the hit comedy "Late Nite Catechism," "Christmas Bingo" brings together two of the best things about being Catholic: Christmas and bingo. The show features the character of Mrs. Mary Margaret O’Brien, a former nun and current bingo caller. Brush up on your Yuletide trivia and watch as audience members play for actual prizes in this uniquely interactive show. Laugh as the show tackles the wackiest myths and most outrageous facts about Christmas, including jolly old St. Nick’s origins and where candy canes come from.

New Traditions!

'The Steadfast Tin Soldier'

Gather the family together to experience Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company’s production of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier." Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story about a little tin soldier who never gives up, Chicago’s beloved holiday tradition will stream in your home through December 27! Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman’s production is a gorgeous spectacle of music and movement that the Chicago Tribune deems "4 stars, A treat for all ages! It’s transformational, truly. Barely more than an hour long, this major new work is one holiday experience you don’t want to miss.” $25 at lookingglasstheatre.org

Life is a Cabaret!

The Pursuit of Happiness: A BoHo Exploration of Freedom

A virtual cabaret streaming online. This collection of songs, stories, and artistic expression showcases the individual relationships that artists of color have with freedom. In developing this program, BoHo sought to give space to those individuals who are ordinarily not seen in their fullness in order to explore their personal perspectives on the BoHo Pillar of Freedom. Whether you have been given permission to be free or you fight for freedom every waking moment, everyone has a unique perspective on this subject. Watch for FREE at bohotheatre.com

Outdoor Art!

Walk Chalk Howard Street

As part of Roger’s Park Business Alliance’s “Live Love Shop Rogers Park,” 3D art by Nate Baranowski will be displayed at the storefront windows of the following 10 businesses (listed east to west): Athena Board Game Cafe, Lost Eras, Lady B Boutique, Sol Cafe, Curls and Company, Salerno’s on Tap, Howard Area Community Center, Good to Go Jamaican Cuisine, Hip Circle Empowerment Center and Badou Senegalese Cuisine. A walking tour map is available at howardstreetchicago.com. FREE.

Art on theMart!

'Nutcracker' on theMART

This year's holiday festivities will look much different, but one thing stays constant: Christopher Wheeldon's “The Nutcracker.” The Joffery Ballet is sharing a newly animated digital display of "The Nutcracker," running through December 30, as part of Chicago’s Art on theMART — the largest permanent digital art projection in the world. The display runs approximately 30 minutes, once at 7 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m., and can be viewed for free from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells and Franklin Streets. The program also includes projections of the Art Institute of Chicago's "Monet and Chicago" exhibition and "City Circle Heart," a new exhibition presented by Arts of Life.

FREE.

A Classic!

2020 It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!

George Bailey – the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty – has fallen on desperate times. Only a miracle can save him from despair. Filled with original music and classic holiday carols, this warm “holiday favorite makes the bell rings every time,” says the Chicago Tribune. For over 19 years, American Blues has treated audiences to a live retelling of the Frank Capra classic in a 1940s radio broadcast tradition, making "It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!" the second longest-running holiday play in Chicago! Wed 7 p.m.; Thurs 7 p.m.; Fri 7 p.m. (except Dec 25 & Jan 1) Saturdays 4 & 7 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m. through Jan. 2, 2021. Tickets start at $45 at americanbluestheater.com

Chicago Traditions!

CTA Holiday Train and Bus

The six-car holiday train is decorated with multi-colored lights and features a flat car in the middle that carries Santa and his reindeer. The train will run between approximately 2 and 9 p.m., see transitchicago.com. For 2020, trains will run "out of service," without passengers and photo ops with Santa, to allow social distancing. December 21: Yellow Line. The Holiday Bus exterior features Chicago's skyline one snowy evening with “Ralphie the Reindeer” leading the way, his nose aglow and Santa’s sleigh in tow. These buses will run in the afternoon on: December 22: #28 Stony Island; December 23: #29 State; December 24: #J14 Jeffery Jump. Normal CTA fares apply.

Exclusive Content!

A Sugar Plum of a Tradition: Ruth Page’s 'The Nutcracker' Past, Present & Future

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to share a new, behind the scenes view of the beloved holiday tradition and the longest-running “The Nutcracker” in Chicago’s history. This online documentary shares archival film footage, interviews with distinguished guest artists, and commentary from the creative forces that have brought this famous Holiday production to millions of people since 1965. Viewing is available through Thursday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $20 at ruthpage.org.

A New Take!

COD College Theater: “A Christmas Carol”

This family-friendly show shares the heartwarming classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, who learns that change is always possible and that the greatest joy is caring for those less fortunate. This production, directed by Amelia Barrett, is filmed and presented on Zoom. $16 for unlimited watching until Jan. 3, 2021 at atthemac.org/events/a-christmas-carol

-Compiled by Dave Hamilton