Risqué reindeer and campy burlesque: 10 holiday nights out for adults only
Holiday season has arrived, and Chicago theaters are bustling with Ebenezer Scrooges, Tiny Tims and Nutcrackers in every wholesome form and flavor.
But our list isn’t about mounting the classics or family-friendly revamps that feel like familiar gifts wrapped in new packages. Our list is naughty.
Sneak a peek at adult versions of iconic Christmas characters like the risqué reindeer in Hell in a Handbag’s "Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer" or the all-grown-up Cindy-Lou Who in "Who’s Holiday!" at Theater Wit. For the record, "Die Hard" is, in fact, a Christmas movie, and in Broadway in Chicago’s “Yippee Ki Yay,” John McClane tells his story of gunfights, hostages and battling terrorists in a L.A. skyscraper in true '80s action hero style. Fa la la.
If you’re looking for shows beyond traditional theater, the burlesque and cabaret scenes come alive this time of year. Jane Lynch ("Glee," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin") and Kate Flannery ("The Office") are throwing a "Swinging Little Christmas" at Steppenwolf with holiday showtunes and comedy. BenDeLaCreme ("RuPaul’s Drag Race") and Jinkx Monsoon (two-time winner of "RuPaul’s Drag Race") ring in the holidays with their acclaimed night of music and comedy in "The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show," while The Newport Theater puts a campy burlesque spin on traditional madrigal dinners with "The Naughty Little Madrigal."
Here’s our list of 10 adult shows you should see this holiday season.
Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer
Where: Presented by Hell in a Handbag Productions at The Hoover-Leppen Theatre
When: Through Jan. 5
Leave the kids at home for this parody of the classic red-nosed reindeer saving Christmas — this is the kinky version. Written by artistic director David Cerda, this musical holiday comedy features gay elves, a capitalist Santa and Rudolph in sexy red fishnets. Are you ready for some reindeer games?
If you go: 3656 N. Halsted St., tickets from $29
Yippee Ki Yay
Where: Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
When: Through Dec 15
For many Americans, "Die Hard" has become a Christmas tradition. The story of John McClane saving a group of people held hostage in an L.A. skyscraper by terrorist thugs unfolds on Christmas Eve. This theatrical adaptation is a one-person show written and performed by Richard Marsh, an award-winning playwright and soon-to-be TV writer (his play "Wingman" is being developed by CBS). Our hero retells the story of that fateful Christmas Eve, when he battled the bad guys, saved the girl and shot a bunch of guns.
If you go: 175 E. Chestnut St., tickets from $36.50
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
Where: Steppenwolf Theatre
When: Dec. 12–15
Music and comedy collide at Steppenwolf when five-time Emmy winner Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer in "The Office") take the stage with their stylings of holiday tunes and cheerful banter. Along with Tim Davis (who worked behind the scenes in "Glee") and the Tony Guerrero Quintet, Lynch and Flannery released a 2016 holiday album, "A Swingin’ Little Christmas," that reached the top 10 on Billboard's adult contemporary chart.
If you go: 1650 N. Halsted St., tickets from $79
Who’s Holiday!
Where: Theater Wit
When: Nov. 29–Dec. 29
You may remember Cindy-Lou Who as the little girl in the Dr. Seuss classic who helps melt the ice-cold heart of the Grinch with her sweet and innocent kindness. But now, she’s all grown up. In this one-person show, set in a trailer park, Cindy spins a tale of gossipy holiday wisdom laced with vodka, weed and profanity. Jeff Award–winning actress Veronica Garza plays the title role.
If you go: 1229 W. Belmont Ave., tickets from $39
Teatro ZinZanni
Where: Cambria Hotel
When: Ongoing residency
Teatro ZinZanni is a truly unique experience (I had the chance to go in Seattle). The performance fuses circus arts, dance, comedy, drag, cabaret and artistic cuisine into one magical night. During the holidays, the show incorporates festive music and seasonally themed cocktails. Guests are invited to dress up in their sparkliest holiday attire. (Warning: Audience members may be asked to dance!)
If you go: 32 W. Randolph St., tickets from $89
A Christmas Cabaret Thee Ricky Harris Way
Where: Venus Cabaret Theater
When: Dec. 7–8
Intimate seating, adult beverages and holiday classics: This is a perfect date night, courtesy of Chicago actor and musician Thee Ricky Harris. If you had a chance to see “Hot Wing King” at Writers Theater this summer, then you got a taste of Harris on the keyboard. His soulful voice will be on full display in this show, joined by local actor and musician Laura McKenzie on the piano.
If you go: 3745 N. Southport Ave., tickets from $35
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
Where: Auditorium Theatre
When: Dec. 8
The Queens of Christmas return. BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon both stepped into the national spotlight on "RuPaul’s Drag Race," with Monsoon a two-time winner and DeLa a fan favorite. Now this fabulous duo again takes the stage for a night of holiday-themed tunes and spicy comedy.
If you go: 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive., tickets from $39.50
Raks Inferno: A Holiday Circus Cabaret
Where: The Newport Theater
When: Dec. 13
This show has a little bit of everything you need for a grown-up night at a holiday show, including circus performers and belly dancers. In a cabaret billed as the place where “dangerous meets sexy,” with specialty-themed cocktails on hand, this performance aims to tantalize the audience and includes a meet-and-greet with performers after the show.
If you go: 956 W. Newport Ave., tickets from $39
Dom We Now Our Gay Apparel (21+)
Where: Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret
When: Dec. 13
Comedian and podcast host ("Fixing Famous People") Dominick Pupa brings back his one-person holiday show, where he cracks on the year that was. Audiences will relive 2024 through the unique stylings of the nightclub queen in a hit show that tours the country with catchy songs and provocative jokes.
If you go: 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., tickets from $34.61
The Naughty Little Madrigal (21+)
Where: The Newport Theater
When: Dec. 5–8
This show takes the traditional Christmas-season madrigal fest (or Renaissance dinner theater) and flips it on its head. Yes, the classic songs will be sung — and by a live choir, no less — but expect a risqué twist with burlesque, drag and naughty jokes. This show is for adults only and is a fun and spicy alternative to the family version typically found at your local school or church.
If you go: 956 W. Newport Ave., tickets from $25