Judy's Scary Little Christmas: Story by Weekly Buzz Magazine (Chicago Production)

Left of traditional
Chicago's strangest seasonal shows

Every year hundreds of theatres across America perform "A Christmas Carol," "It's A Wonderful Life," and "The Nutcracker."

The barrage of traditional Christmas faire may make some people hesitant to venture out into the theatres this December. Just up I-57, the city of Chicago puts on some of the most incredibly offbeat offerings that could make your holidays brighter, or, in some cases, darker.

Judy's Scary Little Christmas
Straw Dog Theatre
3829 N. Broadway, Chicago
Now through Jan. 7
Thurs, Fri, Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m.
Reservations: (312) 409-4357

Back in the 1950s, big celebrities used to host holiday specials where they welcomed the TV audience into their homes to share the holiday spirit. Chicago's Hell in a Handbag Productions presents a production that deals with what could happen when one of these innocent little specials goes oddly awry. In its Chicago premiere, this musical is set in 1959, when Judy Garland, (Jennifer Connelly, not the Hollywood Jennifer Connelly but just as hot), 20 years past her prime as Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz," brings together a bunch of celebrities including Bing Crosby (Derek Czaplewski), Liberace (Brannen Daugherty) and Joan Crawford (David Cerda) for her comeback special.

"Things take a twisted turn when a mysterious guest crashes the party ... taking one and all on a mystical journey beyond legends and legacies," says the Hell in a Handbag Web site. Who is the mystery guest? "I'm sworn to secrecy," Connelly "There'll be a few surprises."

She did say however that her favorite musical number in the show is entitled, "Mauna Loa Hula Holiday," and sung by Ethel Merman (Trista Smith), if that gives any indication of the many places and dimensions this show will go. Connelly also said this show isn't a passive, "sit back and watch" audience experience.

"It's something you get involved in," Connelly said. "You're a part of the show. The audience is a member of the cast." "Judy's Scary Little Christmas," written by James Webber and David Church of Los Angeles, had its world premiere at the Victory Theatre in Burbank, Calif. in Nov. 2002.