As 2014 comes to a close and the holidays approach, the team at Heron PR is here to help you plan for the holiday season. From Christmas performances and Gingerbread House Competitions, to holiday gift ideas and special brunch and dinner packages, we have something for everyone this season.
Scrooge comes for his annual visit at Drury Lane Theatre!
The annual holiday tradition, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, will be presented from November 18 through December 23, 2014 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane. The timeless story is directed by Scott Calcagno (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Drury Lane Theatre, Legally Blonde at The Civic Theatre, Grease at The Long Lake Theatre, as well as the annual production of A Christmas Carol at Drury Lane Theatre). The hour-long Drury Lane production uses 14 of the most versatile Equity actors in Chicago to bring over 30 of the colorful Dickensian characters to life. Drury Lane Theatre also offers families the special opportunity to have breakfast or dinner with Santa Claus on select performance dates in the dining room with a festive buffet-style menu complete with seasonal favorites. For reservations, call 630.530.0111 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.drurylane.com.
Enjoy the Tony Award-Winning Iconic Love Story, CAMELOT
Join King Arthur, Queen Guenevere, Sir Lancelot, and Merlyn in CAMELOT, the thrilling story of love and intrigue, chivalry and betrayal. Drury Lane Theatre’s production shines new light on this majestic musical that will feature new orchestrations by Matt Aument and a unique scenic approach that blends medieval fantasy with the opulence of the 12th Century court life. CAMELOT opens November 6 and runs through January 4, 2015. For reservations, call 630.530.0111 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.drurylane.com.
Not your typical holiday show…
Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, puts a spin on the traditional holiday show with It’s a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut Cracking Christmas Story… Jews Welcome!. Directed by creative genius Brian Posen, the interactive show features original Christmas carols, dance numbers, spoken word, puppets and everything in between! Cookies and non-holiday-specific eggnog will be served. The perfect holiday show for the whole family, It’s a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut Cracking Christmas Story… Jews Welcome! runs from November 14 through December 28. Additionally, Stage 773 will serve as a drop-off site for the Greater Chicago Food Depository throughout the run of the production. For details and tickets, visit www.stage773.com.
Travel back in time to dazzling and exotic 19th Century Siam
The romantic and richly textured tale of East versus West, THE KING AND I, comes to The Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, from October 22 through January 4, 2015. Nick Bowling (Juno and The Normal Heart at Timeline Theatre) makes his Marriott Theatre directorial debut with a fresh take on this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, merging history and romance with today’s social and political issues. THE KING AND I follows the tumultuous relationship of the strong-willed British Governess Anna (Jeff Award-nominee Heidi Kettenring) and the larger than life King of Siam (Andrew Ramcharan Guilarte), as they try to find common ground between Siamese and British traditions. For tickets, call 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com
Take the kids to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!
Follow the yellow brick road to The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire, for the enchanting musical production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, running from November 7, 2014 through January 4, 2015. The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences favorite Rachel Rockwell will direct and choreograph, with musical direction by Ryan T. Nelson. Based on the classic 1939 MGM movie, this special one-hour presentation of THE WIZARD OF OZ features the classic songs “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” A Question & Answer session with the cast will follow every performance. For tickets, call 847.634.0200 or visit www.MarriottTheatre.com.
For a family-friendly Southern Christmas Tale
Theatre at the Center is pleased to present the regional debut of the musical adaptation of Truman Capote’s A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, November 13 through December 14, at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. Directed by William Pullinsi, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY is a labor of love for its Broadway veteran team, written by Duane Poole, with music by Larry Grossman and lyrics by Carol Hall. Based on Capote’s touching memoir of his own childhood, this wistful Southern Christmas tale is a tender portrait of a rare friendship across generations with a joyous score that will bring love and light to everyone’s hearts this holiday season. For tickets, visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.
Take your family on a captivating journey into the human mind this December with Mind Over Munster
A perfect show for the entire family, Mind Over Munster is presented by Theatre at the Center, on Friday, December 19 at 8 pm, Saturday, December 20 at 4 and 8 pm, and Sunday, December 21 at 2:30 pm. The popular series of mesmerizing “Mind Games” created and performed by mentalist Marc Salem has been hailed as “A SUREFIRE ‘you-gottaseethis show’ SHOW” by Variety and, “Not to be missed” by ABC News. Salem uses his famous psychological techniques, quick wit, and a sharp eye to “break the lock” on the brain and raise fascinating questions on the human psyche. For more information or tickets, visit www.theatreatthecenter.com.
Fill up on a delicious Christmas Brunch and Dinner Buffets at Drury Lane Theatre
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, will offer a Children’s Theatre Breakfast Buffet with Santa Saturdays, November 22 through December 20 at 11 am. The special family-friendly breakfast buffet with Santa features scrambled eggs, pancakes and assorted fresh fruit. Paired with a festive performance of Drury Lane Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, the Breakfast Buffet with Santa is the perfect holiday festivities for the kids. Cost for the breakfast begins at $10 and free for children 2 and younger (Pricing does not include theatre ticket). For reservations, call 630.530.8300.
Can’t make it to Breakfast with Santa? Drury Lane will offer a Children’s Theatre Dinner Buffet with Santa on Wednesday, December 17 at 5 pm. Treat the whole family to a festive night at the theatre with a sumptuous dinner buffet before a special one-time evening performance of A Christmas Carol. The dinner menu includes roast turkey, macaroni and cheese, and an ice cream station. Don’t forget to say hi to Santa! Cost for the dinner begins at $15 and free for children 2 and under (Pricing does not include theatre ticket). For reservations, call 630.530.8300.
There’s nothing grander than indulging in Drury Lane’s Sunday Brunch with SantaSundays, December 7 through 22 at 10:30 am – 1 pm. Brunch with Santa is a great affair for a family celebration or an office party. The exquisite brunch buffet features a variety of carved meats, a seafood station, assorted sweets and a Bloody Mary Bar (at an additional charge). The children’s station features kid-friendly options and an appearance by Santa! Cost for Sunday Brunch begins at $10 and free for children 2 and under. For reservations, call 630.530.8300.
Drury Lane Theatre’s extravagant Christmas Brunch Buffet, offered December 25 from 10 am to 3 pm,features a variety of carved meats, a seafood station, assorted sweets, Champagne, Bellinis and Mimosas. A Bloody Mary Bar is available at an additional charge. The children’s station features child-friendly options. Enjoy the delectable Christmas Brunch Buffet surrounded by elegant festive décor including sky-high Christmas trees with twinkling lights and other subtle touches of merriment. Cost for the Christmas Brunch Buffet begins at $10 and free for children 2 and under. For reservations, call 630.530.8300.
Because you’ve never heard a “Hallelujah” Chorus like this one
Hailed as “Spirited!” by the Chicago Tribune, the Apollo Chorus’s rendition of Handel’s “Messiah” has been performed nearly every December since 1879—a track record unmatched by other city choral organizations. Few works today are as renowned or as beloved as Handel’s Messiah, and this annual performance has become a family holiday tradition for many Chicago families. As John von Rhein from the Chicago Tribune once said, ““The oldest musical organization in Chicago has much to sing “hallelujah” about.” Soloists include Elisabeth Marshall, J’nai Bridges, Samuel Levine, and David Govertsen. Handel’s “Messiah will be performed at the beautiful Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., on December 6, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. and at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Dr., on December 20, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.
For a family-friendly excursion to the Dells and visit from the world’s most beloved nanny
The Palace Theater, 564 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy South, a new, 800-seat, regional dinner theater in Wisconsin Dells, will kick off its first season with Disney’s MARY POPPINS, directed and choreographed by Multi Jeff Award-winner Marc Robin (co-directed by Walter Buddy Reeder), opening November 24 and running through January 3, 2015. Nationally known stand-up comedian and actor, Tom Dreesen, long time guest of The Tonight Show, and The David Letterman Show will serve as the emcee at the opening night performance. For more information, visit www.dellspalace.com.
Make new connections this Holiday Season!
Selective Connections,a new social networking club for married and single professionals in their 40’s through 60’s, has recently launched. A resource for busy Chicagoans to discover the synergy created when they connect with others who share their interests, Selective Connections allows members to connect across eight interest areas: entertainment and adventure, foodie, business, relationship, health and fitness, travel, shopping, and volunteer. Background checks and video introductions are required of all members, giving them the tools they need to make safe, informed choices about their connections. Members can also access a registry of personal assistants available for hire, who can help streamline the competing demands for their time. Joining Selective Connections offers members opportunities to network online as well as in person by attending exciting events such as fitness and cooking classes, kayaking trips, winery tours, volunteer opportunities, and lakefront cruises, among many others. For more information or to join, please visit www.selectiveconnections.com.
The ultimate holiday gift ideas and stocking stuffers from the All Chocolate Kitchen
As the world’s real life Willy Wonka, Chef Alain Roby of the All Chocolate Kitchen has done it all – from making longtime friend Jenny McCarthy’s 6-tier wedding cake to winning three Guinness World Records,
Chef Roby has now launched his Exclusive Chocolate Aroma Line. Featuring 20 exotic flavors from his travels around the world, from Japan Green Tea to Bangkok Basil Coconut, each truffle has been individually hand-painted by Chef Roby himself. In addition to being tasty, beautiful and unique, the Exclusive Aroma Line is a healthy alternative to commercial products, as Chef Roby uses only the finest Grand Cru chocolate, which is 80% pure chocolate. ($2 to $27 before tax and may be purchased by the piece or in a variety of different sized boxes) ·
- For the obsessive chocolate lover: Known for always setting the bar high, Chef Roby has created the ultimate chocolate creation, the Big Bar, made entirely of Grand Cru Milk Chocolate. The Big Bar is available in both dark and milk chocolate and is 9 inches of the world’s finest chocolate, making it the perfect stocking stuffer. ($15)
- For the pastry chef in your life: After the major success of his first book, “Alain Roby’s American Classics, Casual and Elegant Desserts”, Roby has released a second edition featuring some of the most popular recipes from the original and unveiling new ones. The perfect holiday gift, this mouth-watering book is sure to please even amateur chefs with its simple yet unique recipes. Chef’s first edition was hailed as elevating “even a simple dessert into a work of art” and was chosen as an editor’s top ten pick on The Food Channel. ($39.95)
- For the collector: Full-blown Sugar Art – Another one of Chef Roby’s famous creations is his full-blown sugar art, starting at $39.50. Known for being able to make practically anything out of sugar, Chef Roby has previously made a huge blown sugar pumpkin, blown sugar snowman, little robins and nests, poinsettias, candy canes, penguins – you name it, Chef Roby can make it.
Embrace or escape the busy holiday season with special packages from Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center
Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center’sShop + Stay Package starts the busy day of shopping off right with a full American breakfast for two in Longitude 87. The package includes complimentary transportation to Oakbrook Center the hotel’s house car, and an Ultimate Shopping Excursions Discount Card to splurge on gifts. The Shop + Stay Package also alleviates the stress of lugging around heavy bags by offering same day delivery on all in-mall purchases directly to guests’ hotel rooms. This package will also grand guests a late check-out of 2 pm for those looking to wind down after an exhausting day. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.lemeridienoakbrook.com
A busy day of shopping, or avoiding said shopping, also requires rest and relaxation, which is why Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center will offer their special Spa Package. Guests will be treated to a 50 minute signature ESPA massage in the hotel’s lavish Spa Suites along with breakfast in Longitude 87. Idea for couples, friends and individuals seeking absolutely privacy, the Spa Suites feature a stone tiled rain shower with a 32” heated mosaic tile bed amidst 10 body sprayers, soaking tub and a large relaxation lounge. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.lemeridienoakbrook.com
Celebrate the holidays in style at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park:
The Magnificent Mile has long been regarded as one of the great Avenues of the world. Saks Fifth Avenue is the benchmark for luxury shopping and is synonymous with extraordinary customer service. If a shopping excursion is what you desire, there is no better destination than Michigan Avenue and no better place to stay than the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. The Holiday Shopping Package includes overnight accommodations, a $50 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card. Rates for the Holiday Shopping Package start from $332 USD per room, per night plus applicable taxes and gratuity. For reservations, call 312.565.6603.
