Chicago - Official Visitors Guide - (Page 15) Theatre Broadway is flourishing in Chicago with all-star shows raising curtains around the city. A “spellbinding” smash set in the Land of Oz, Wicked (pg. 16) continues at the Ford Center for Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre. Audiences can’t get enough of the melodic comedy Altar Boyz (pg. 16) at Drury Lane Water Tower Place. Catch the TonyAward-winning musical Jersey Boys (pg. 18) at LaSalle Bank Theatre and celebrate the amazing story of The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. Opening on Halloween, Cadillac Palace Theatre presents The Phantom of the Opera (pg. 20) through Jan. 5. Come see why the award-winning Broadway musical and tragic love story continues to captivate viewers worldwide. A Christmas Carol (pg. 20) marks its 30th anniversary as a cherished Chicago tradition at Goodman Theatre, while the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago performs the Nutcracker (pg. 22) at Roosevelt University’s Auditorium Theatre. Sporting Events Sports fans rejoice — autumn in the city means Chicago’s favorite coolweather teams are back and ready to score. The 2007 NFC-Champion Chicago Bears (pg. 18) hit Soldier Field in September backed by their die-hard fan base. The Chicago Bulls (pg. 18) stomp the court in their quest for an NBA championship. Sharing the United Center with the Bulls, the Chicago Blackhawks (pg. 18) bring ferocious slap shots and teamwork to the ice. On Dec. 28–30, Mayor Daley’s Annual Holiday Sports Festival (pg. 22) offers tournaments and interactive zones, including wall climbing, football, golf and skateboarding. Arts and Culture The Chicago cultural scene stays hot through the winter and well into the New Year. Hilarious comedy, thought-provoking art installations and moving performances are just the beginning. Second City explodes with cackles on Mondays when The Best of The Second City (pg. 16) showcases scenes and songs from alumni such as Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Tina Fey and Steve Carell. The Field Museum’s Maps: Finding Our Place in the World (pg. 20) features an unprecedented exhibition of maps from around the globe. Sixteen Jewish contemporary American artists tell their stories in The New Authentics: Artists of the Post-Jewish Generation at the Spertus Museum (pg. 20). The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Chicago Children’s Choir present Welcome Yule (pg. 22) Dec. 14–23. The Chicago Theatre’s Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy combines soaring aerialists, contortionists and balancers from around the world in an all-new performance Dec. 26–31. Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in January. Exhibitions/Events Rock out, explore black holes and bask in the lights and city spirit this holiday season. The Museum of Contemporary Art presents Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967 (pg. 18) for an intimate look at the marriage of visual arts and rock-and-roll culture. Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity (pg. 18) at Adler Planetarium takes visitors to the inside of a massive black hole. The Art Institute of Chicago’s exhibition Jasper Johns: Gray (pg. 20) explores the rich statements made in gray through 100 paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. Haunted houses and theatrical performances spook visitors at the Haunted Village – Chicagoween (pg. 18) at Daley Plaza Oct.12–31 and Navy Fear – Halloween at Navy Pier (pg. 18) brings screams to the lakeside. Chicago holiday spirit comes to life Nov. 16–Jan. 6 with the Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light tradition at the Museum of Science and Industry. Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual ZooLights (pg. 22) brings more than one million holiday lights, a spectacular water laser show and live ice carving to the zoo. The magic continues on Michigan Avenue beginning Nov. 17 with the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (pg. 20), Chicago’s official kick-off to the holiday season. Daley Center Plaza becomes Christkindlmarket Nov. 22, a four-week open-air market modeled after the famous Nuremberg Christmas market dating back to 1545. pg For a personalized tour contact the Chicago Greeter Program: 312-744-8000, www.chicagogreeter.com ¶ 15 18 18 http://www.chicagogreeter.com
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