Metropolis Spreads Holiday Cheer with a New (and Still Traditional) Christmas Carol and Dysfunctional Revue

There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s family classic A Christmas Carol, running November 27 – December 24, 2009. Metropolis is proud to present its annual holiday tale, one of the only professional adult productions in the region. This year’s production features 19 new actors and two returning standouts, redesigned special effects, new costumes and big, new musical dance numbers. It’s perfect for the whole family.

Metropolis freshens up its holiday production, of the traditional family tale written by Charles Dickens, with adaptation by Krista Scott and musical arrangements by George Maurer. Don’t miss Tiny Tim, the Cratchit family and everyone’s favorite old miser Scrooge in this fun, bright, musical retelling of the beloved holiday tale. It’s perfect for the whole family. Appropriate for all ages.

Director Brad Dunn works with an amazing cast, many of whom call the northwest suburbs home. Steve Lehtman of Buffalo Grove moves to the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge, having spent the past four years playing The Ghost of Bob Marley. The production also includes rising stars Michael DeMarco (Peter Cratchit) of Arlington Heights and Amy Rapp (Martha Cratchit/Past) of Schaumburg, and Alexander Denniston of Arlington Heights, Victoria Tchalakov of Kildeer and Emily Turner of Sleepy Hollow, all sharing the role of Tiny Tim. The cast also includes a children’s chorus comprised of over 45 young actors from the northwest suburbs.

"Christmas Carol at Metropolis has truly become a part of the holiday tradition for families in the Northwest suburbs," said Jarvis. "We're really excited about this year's production. We still have the wonderful music, the colorful period costumes, great special effects for the ghosts and it still snows on the audience at the end of the show, but we also have an almost all new cast and new (yet seasoned) director who bring a fresh perspective to the show. It's a great combination that will result in yet another fun, memorable outing for kids young and not so young."

Preview performances of A Christmas Carol are November 27 – November 28, 2009. Opening day is Sunday, November 29 at 4 P.M. The show runs through December 24, 2009. Specific dates and times listed below. Tickets are $28.50, 12 & under $15.50. Half price tickets are available at the Box Office the day of the performance to students presenting a valid student ID. A Christmas Carol is proudly sponsored by The Peoples’ Bank of Arlington Heights.

A Christmas Carol is directed by Brad Dunn, Music Director is Ken McMullen, and choreography is by Kristen Gurbach Jacobson. Designers are Bill Franz (Resident Sound Designer), Vicky Strei (Resident Costume Designer), Micky York (Resident Properties Designer), Joe Mohammed (Resident Lighting Designer) with Mike Wagner as assistant lighting designer. . Robin M. Hughes is the Artistic Director/Director of Production, Resident Technical Director is Mike Gehmlich, The Executive Director of Metropolis is Jim Jarvis.

Second City delivers big holiday laughs

The Second City returns to Metropolis with their famed, hilarious, Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue. A few pieces of classic, favorite material, lots of new scenes, all funny, and NOT seen downtown at Second City. Metropolis’ presentation of the The Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue has been a favorite holiday stop for adults looking to find the humor amidst the stress of the holidays. Irreverent, insightful and legendary, seeing The Second City at Metropolis means a great show at a great price, in a cool urban setting with free parking and great restaurants all around.

Let’s face it, no holiday is perfect. Now, The Second City takes the awkwardness of family get-togethers, kookiness of office parties and general madness of the holiday season and turns it all into laughs with their Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue. We can all relate to shopping woes, annoying carolers and burnt turkey dinners; and now we can enjoy The Second City’s hilarious take on the holidays. Contains adult language and content. Not recommended for children or young teens.

A preview performances of The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue is November 27, 2009 at 10 P.M. Opening night is November 28 at 7 P.M. The show runs through December 30, 2009. Specific dates and times listed below. Tickets are $29.50, Stage Tables $34.50. The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue is proudly sponsored by Fuego Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar.

There will also be New Year’s Eve performances of The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue at 6 & 10 P.M., including a champagne toast, party favors and, at the late show, a balloon drop. Tickets for the New Year’s Eve shows are $50, Stage Tables $60.

A Christmas Carol and The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue are part of Metropolis’ Holiday series. Holiday performances begin the week of Thanksgiving and continue through the end of the year, making the holidays some of the most exciting times at Metropolis. More Holiday performers include The Illinois Brass Band, The Lakeside Singers, Metropolis Youth Symphony’s Holiday Show and Corky Siegel & Megon McDonough.

The title sponsor for A Christmas Carol is The Peoples’ Bank of Arlington Heights. The title sponsor for The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue is Fuego Mexican Grill & Margaritas. In addition, Metropolis receives generous sponsorship from the Daily Herald, American Airlines, FastSigns of Arlington Heights, and Doubletree Hotel of Arlington Heights and Stella Artois.

Metropolis is located in the heart of Chicago’s northwest suburbs in downtown Arlington Heights at the intersection of Campbell and Vail Avenue (111 West Campbell Street). Street parking is available. Free parking is available in the public garage behind the theatre. For more information about Metropolis and a complete 2008/2009 performance schedule, go to MetropolisArts.com or call the Box Office at 847.577.2121.