Everywhere you look it seems love is causing chaos. From the new bachelor Prime Minister who falls in love 30 seconds after entering Downing Street to a loser sandwich delivery guy who doesn’t have hope with the girls in the UK so heads for Wisconsin; from a jilted writer who escapes the south of France to nurse his broken heart to an aging rock star trying to make a comeback at any price; from a bride having problems with her husband’s best man to a married woman having trouble with her husband; from a schoolboy with a crush on the prettiest girl in the school to his architect step-father with a crush on Claudia Schiffer.

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Love Actually In Concert

Roosevelt University

When you hear Judy Garland singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, you might find yourself tapping your heels together three times as you think to yourself, “there’s no place like Orchestra Hall.” “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” with Dorothy and revel in Herbert Stothart’s beautiful score performed live by the CSO as MGM’s Technicolor classic plays on the big screen.

The Wizard of Oz in Concert

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Rachmaninov’s majestic First Symphony churns with youthful romantic fervor and ethereal mystery — perfect for a December outing. Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, inspired by Norway’s national folk hero, includes the instantly familiar dream-like fantasy of “The Hall of the Mountain King.” Johannes Moser brings his “remarkably visceral and vivid playing” (Gramophone) to Lutosławski’s wild and enchanting Cello Concerto.

Grieg & Rachmaninov

A cat, dog and mouse all turn down the Little Red Hen’s requests for help planting wheat, grinding flour and baking bread — and are disappointed when the hen eats the delicious bread all by herself. Featuring delightful musical portraits of animals, this classic children’s tale explores the importance of working together as a community.

School Concert: Once Upon a Symphony: The Little Red Hen

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

Spanning candlelit chant to buoyant gospel music, Chanticleer’s annual holiday programs have been a treasured part of the season for decades. For one night only at Symphony Center, the men’s vocal ensemble offers luminous arrangements of carols and other festive classics.

A Chanticleer Christmas

Embark on a seafaring journey as Tchaikovsky summons Shakespeare’s magical island and storm-tossed seas in The Tempest. Korngold evokes the swashbuckling sailors of the 1940 Hollywood epic The Sea Hawk, and Britten portrays the coastal village of his opera Peter Grimes. The voyage concludes as Konstantin Krimmel presents Mahler’s song cycle about a traveling journeyman.

The Tempest & The Sea Hawk

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season, relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing John Debney’s wonderful score.

Elf in Concert

The world’s most celebrated orchestral brass section takes center stage in this annual December extravaganza. Experience traditional brass works and arrangements packed with virtuosity, warmth and splendor.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass

Gather with friends and loved ones at Symphony Center — decked with boughs of holly — for a program of familiar carols and festive holiday songs. With glorious arrangements conducted by Alastair Willis, the program is sure to inspire holiday cheer for all.

Merry, Merry Chicago!

Brimming with wry wit and affectionate warmth, Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto was a gift for his teenage son. Here, it’s a showcase for the brilliant Lahav Shani, who conducts from the keyboard. Beethoven’s powerful Egmont Overture captures the brave struggle for freedom and justice, while Brahms’ stormy and heroic First Symphony is the culmination of years of labor by the composer.

Shani, Shostakovich & Brahms

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is set to captivate audiences at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater with its world premiere of "Pericles." This much-anticipated event marks the RSC's triumphant return to Chicago for the first time in 30 years, heralding a new era of collaboration between the two esteemed institutions. Directed by Tamara Harvey, in her inaugural season as co-artistic director alongside Daniel Evans, this production promises a fresh and profound take on William Shakespeare's tale of adventure, love, and miracles.

"Pericles" tells the story of Prince Pericles, whose life is upended by danger, leading him on an extraordinary journey across the seas. Through storms, shipwrecks, and unexpected trials, Pericles encounters love, loss, and the possibility of miracles. This production, direct from its run at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, showcases the RSC's commitment to bringing Shakespeare's works to life with new vigor and relevance.

The event is scheduled to run from October 20 to December 8, 2024, at the Courtyard Theater, located at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. This engagement is particularly special as it represents the 100th international production by CST, further cementing its reputation for presenting world-class artistic performances.

Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans, the RSC's co-artistic directors, express their excitement about this partnership, reflecting on the historical ties between the RSC and Chicago that date back to 1913. They emphasize their shared commitment to fostering international collaboration and presenting theater that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Tickets for "Pericles" will go on sale later this summer, offering theater enthusiasts the opportunity to witness this landmark production. Additional information about the event, including run time, parking, and dining options, will be available to ensure a memorable and enriching experience for all attendees.

Pericles

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Two lost souls meet at a crossroads, in the dead of night, deep in the Mississippi of it all.  With a yearning guitar between them, they tell secrets and conjure a sound once forgotten—a tune pitched with Leroy’s longing and the sweet purr of Lucy’s desires. In this sultry world premiere, a play with music from Ngozi Anyanwu, the Delta Blues fills the air, the future lies just down the road, and we are everywhere and nowhere all at once.

Leroy And Lucy

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Experience the enchanting sounds of the season with the Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts presented by Music of the Baroque. Under the baton of esteemed conductor Andrew Megill, this series promises an unforgettable journey through time, from the medieval age to the present. The Music of the Baroque Chorus and Brass Ensemble will fill some of Chicago’s most beautiful spaces with ethereal chant, majestic brass works, and some of the finest choral music ever composed. The repertoire includes music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and much more, ensuring a rich tapestry of sounds that encapsulate the spirit of the holidays.

The concert series will grace various venues across Chicago, offering multiple opportunities to partake in this festive musical tradition:

- **Thursday, December 19, 2024, 7:30 PM** at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest
- **Friday, December 20, 2024, 7:30 PM** at St. Michael in Old Town, Chicago
- **Saturday, December 21, 2024, 2:00 PM** at Faith, Hope, & Charity Church, Winnetka
- **Sunday, December 22, 2024, 2:00 PM** at Alice Millar Chapel, Evanston
- **Friday, December 27, 2024, 5:00 PM** available On Demand

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring music that has celebrated the holiday season for centuries. Subscribe and save to ensure your place at these must-attend concerts, and let the Music of the Baroque Chorus & Brass Ensemble, led by Andrew Megill, fill your holidays with joy and splendor.

Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts

St Michael Catholic Church in Old Town

Alice Millar Chapel

Concordia University Chicago

Sts Faith, Hope, And Charity Catholic Church

### Event Description: The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet

**Event:** The Nutcracker  
**Choreography:** Christopher Wheeldon  
**Music:** Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky  
**Dates:** December 6-28, 2024  
**Location:** Lyric Opera House  
**Running Time:** 2 hours  

**Description:**
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Joffrey Ballet's enchanting production of "The Nutcracker," choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's 1893 World's Fair, this beloved version of the classic ballet brings to life a festive celebration on a magical Christmas Eve.

Join Marie and her mother, a sculptress working on the fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, as they partake in a joyous celebration with a surprise visit from the mysterious Great Impresario. The night unfolds with an epic battle between Toy Soldiers and The Rat King, leading Marie on a whirlwind journey with the Nutcracker Prince to the dreamlike fairgrounds of the World’s Columbian Exposition, featuring sprawling attractions from around the globe.

The production is set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and features a celebrated creative team, including:
- **Julian Crouch:** Tony Award-nominated set and costume designer
- **Brian Selznick:** Caldecott Medal Award-winning author
- **Basil Twist:** Obie and Drama Desk award-winning puppeteer
- **Natasha Katz:** Tony Award-winning lighting designer
- **Ben Pearcy:** Tony Award-winning projection designer

**Sponsors:**
- **Presenting Sponsor:** Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company
- **Commissioning Sponsors:** Margot and Josef Lakonishok, Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa

Celebrate the holiday season with this heartwarming and visually stunning production that redefines holiday magic in Chicago. Whether it's your first time or your 51st, "The Nutcracker" by the Joffrey Ballet promises to tug at your heartstrings and leave you in awe.

The Nutcracker

Lyric Opera House

Marvin has left his wife, Trina, for his male lover; Trina has married Marvin’s therapist; and their son, Jason, is grappling with his parents’ divorce and his looming Bar Mitzvah. Everyone’s world has been upended and now, they must explore what their new lives may hold. Featuring a sung-through score and set against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic, Falsettos is a humorous and heartbreaking web of ex-spouses, co-parents, new lovers, and the lesbians next door.

Falsettos

Court Theatre

As companies around the globe celebrate the centennial of Giacomo Puccini’s death in 2024,  COT  presents a unique concert that highlights how Puccini’s work impacted the evolution of opera and musical theater. This special event will feature beloved arias and ensembles from Puccini’s operas alongside a variety of scenes from operas and musicals by composers who were influenced by the great Italian composer, including Franz Lehár, Leoš Janacek, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Gian Carlo Menotti, Daniel Catán, Richard Rodgers, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Jonathan Larson.  Featured guest artists will be announced this summer.

Bohème & Beyond

DePaul University Welcome Center

Experience the powerful and poignant opera "Blue," co-produced by Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Glimmerglass Festival, and Washington National Opera. This compelling narrative delves into the life of a Black middle-class family in Harlem, whose aspirations for their teenage son are tragically disrupted when he is shot by a white police officer. The opera features the evocative music of Tony-winning composer Jeanine Tesori, paired with a deeply sensitive libretto by Tazewell Thompson. The production stars the formidable bass Kenneth Kellogg, who has garnered acclaim in previous performances of this work, alongside mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams and baritone Norman Garrett. Sung in English with projected English titles, "Blue" is a moving exploration of contemporary social issues, brought to life through a combination of powerful vocals and dramatic storytelling. The production also includes accessible features such as ASL interpretation, audio-described performances, and touch tours, ensuring an inclusive experience for all audience members.

Blue

Since its inception in 2018, the resident ensemble of the University of Chicago’s Center for Contemporary Composition has premiered 60 new musical works. Conductor Kiki Kilburn leads the Grossman Ensemble for the premiere of four more new works created as part of a nine-week collaboration with “trailblazing” (Los Angeles Times) Pulitzer Prize finalist and GRAMMY-nominated composer Andy Ahiko, UChicago's own PhD composer Benjamin Martin, multi-award-winning composer and sonic artist Nina C. Young, Shih-Hui Chen, known for her “deep musical intelligence” (Wire Magazine). Followed by an after-party with the artists.

Grossman Ensemble - World Premieres I

Logan Center

Justin Robinson Quartet - Tribute to Roy Hargrove

Jazz Showcase

Funny, irresistible and heart-warming, Love Actually is set in contemporary London in the weeks before Christmas and tells one story which weaves together a spectacular amount of love stories – sometimes romantic, sometimes sad, sometimes stupid – all funny in their own way.

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