Here are the shows with seats saved for Tribune readers.
Consider this the fine print: We’ve made every effort to ensure that showtimes and prices are correct, but last-minute changes can occur. Verify all relevant information when booking. If you call a box office before it opens and leave a message, do not assume that you have claimed the tickets.
On the Town made the reservations, but all sales arrangements and participation with this feature are up to the venues, and the Tribune is not affiliated with the theaters or the shows in any way. And in any case, the theaters are free to release any unclaimed Tribune tickets noon Saturday.
If none of these shows fits the bill for you, or if your seats already have been snatched up by another reader, take heart. Metromix.com has information about many other New Year’s Eve events — some free, some open to all.
Wicked
From critic Chris Jones’ review: Blond girl. Green girl. Tragically beautiful sister. Love interests. Goat. Wizard. This self-aware, grrrl-friendly pop musical is Chicago’s most prominent and profitable theatrical attraction, though it won’t be around forever. (***1/2) “Wicked” must close by the end of January. Here’s your chance.
* Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $100 each) for the 7:30 p.m. performance at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 W Randolph St. Call 312-751-5508 and leave a message with your name and phone number asking for the Tribune tickets to “Wicked.” A representative will contact you to arrange the credit card sale. You must buy all four.
2008 New Year’s Eve Gala at Navy Pier
The big party in the Grand Ballroom, put on by AEM Productions and WKSC-FM 103.5 (KISS FM) and RedEye. Expect DJs, booze and hors d’oeuvres, balloon drop, and this year’s headliner is Chicago band The White Tie Affair. Plus, as always, a view of the lakefront fireworks so close you’ll get ashes on your rental tux.
* Claim your seats: Choose between 10 available general admission tickets (at $150 each); or 4 available VIP tickets (at $250 each). At Navy Pier; call 312-337-4333. For more information, go to www.TheNYEGala.com.
The Dandy Warhols at Metro
At $55 a pop, the price isn’t exactly dandy, but it’s likely to be worth it. The Portland-based Warhols don’t play here all that often, and the band’s latest, “… Earth to the Dandy Warhols …,” features guests from both the Dire Straights and the Heartbreakers, so you never know who might turn up. Robert Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will be spinning a DJ set, as well. Dress to the nines: it’s encouraged tonight.
* Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $55 each) for the 9 p.m. show at Metro, 3730 N. Clark Ave. Call 773-549-0203 ext. 231 ask for the Tribune tickets.
America: All Better!
From critic Chris Jones’ review: The frightening, funny new revue on the Second City mainstage is called “America: All Better!” — but that doesn’t stop the cast from delivering a darkly comic show about these yin-and-yang times in Chicago. Targets of Matt Hovde’s stellar revue, which benefits from a terrific cast of unusually diverse styles and talents, include Rahm Emanuel, incoming presidential chief of staff but here described as a “really scary Precious Moments figurine.” (*** 1/2)
* Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $50 each) for the 10 p.m. performance at Second City, 1616 N. Wells St. Call the box office at 312-337-3992. Champagne toast at midnight.
Jersey Boys
From critic Chris Jones’ review: As the slick and thrilling Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” proudly declares from its industrially themed stage, the straight-from-the-‘hood boys in the Four Seasons forged an all-hit jukebox for working-class guys and their girlfriends. As the biographical story of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi and their rise from Newark to the top of the pop-music charts, this Chicago production delivers a smash-hit adult night out. (****)
* Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $95 each) for the 7:30 p.m. performance at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W Monroe St. Call 312-751-5508 and leave a message with your name and phone number asking for Tribune tickets to “Jersey Boys.” A representative will contact you to arrange the credit card sale. You must buy all four.
Jay Reatard, Miss Alex White & Francis, The Yolks at Empty Bottle
The Bottle puts its party in the garage (or something like that) for this triple-header night of raucous rawk. Hailing from Memphis, lo-fi garage rocker Reatard has been fronting bands since he was 15, while locals Miss Alex White and Francis grew up playing together, literally: they’re siblings. The Yolks open the show, with DJ Robert Q spinning tunes between sets. The only pause in the party comes at midnight, when folks are encouraged to raise their complimentary glass of champagne — or 40 oz. malt liquor — to toast 2009.
* Claim your seats: 10 tickets (at $25 each) for the 10 p.m. show at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Call 773-276-3600 and leave a message with your name and phone number asking for the Tribune tickets. Don’t panic if you don’t hear back right away: this rock & roll box office doesn’t open until 1 p.m.
Green Velvet, Justin Long, Santiago and Ori Kawa at Smart Bar
He’s been compared to everyone from Prince to David Bowie, but local crate-digging chameleon Green Velvet (a.k.a. Curtis Jones, a.k.a. Cajmere) is, if nothing else, his own musician. Most recently, his tunes have veered toward straight house music, although he still works in the occasional live track. We’re curious to see what he’ll bring to this party, following sets by house maestros Justin Long and Christ Santiago, with Bay Area transplant Ori Kawa warming things up.
* Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $30 each) for the 10 p.m. set at Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark Ave., downstairs. Call 773-549-0203 ext. 231 ask for the Tribune tickets.
The Seafarer
From critic Chris Jones’ review: Conor McPherson’s mythic, restless play about a booze-soaked Christmas Eve encounter with a mysterious, malevolent visitor is this author’s masterpiece — and, in my view, the best Irish play since the glory days of Samuel Beckett. “The Seafarer” arrives at Steppenwolf in a powerful new production from Randall Arney. Francis Guinan delivers an extraordinary central performance. Not to be missed. (*** 1/2)
* Claim your seats: There are 10 tickets (at $50 each) for the 7:30 p.m. performance in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Call the box office at 312-335-1650.
Million Dollar Quartet
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From critic Chris Jones’ review: Great balls of fire! Here’s a hit. This musical has the kind of jaw-dropping performances that lift your feet from the floor. It’s based on an actual night in 1956 when Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash showed up at Sam Phillips’ Sun Studios for a jam session. (*** 1/2)
* Claim your seats: There are 4 tickets available (at $75 each) for both the 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Call the box office at 773-935-6100.
Dirty Dancing
From critic Chris Jones’ review: Baby, you fans of the movie “Dirty Dancing” might recall, has a rich summer of ’63 in the Catskills. She learns to dance. She has a fight with her daddy. She loses her virginity. In James Powell’s touring production, Baby is portrayed by Amanda Leigh Cobb, and Johnny by dancer Josef Brown. It’s hurt by a lack of singing, but this “Dirty Dancing” goes to lengths unparalleled to show you in a theater what you first saw on the screen. If that’s what you want, roll on up. (**)
* Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $90 each) for the 7:30 p.m. performance at Cadillac Palace, 151 W Randolph St. Call 312-751-5508 and leave a message with your name and phone number asking for Tribune tickets to “Dirty Dancing.” A representative will contact you to arrange the credit card sale. You must buy all four.
Dublin Carol
From critic Chris Jones’ review: With “CSI” star William Petersen in the lead, this is a simple but moving play about an undertaker and lifelong drinker surveying the wreckage of his life. (***)
* Claim your seats: There are 6 tickets (at $50 each) for the 7:30 p.m. performance in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Call the box office at 312-335-1650.
Brother, Can You Spare Some Change?
From critic Chris Jones’ review: The presidency of Barack Obama is still a blank slate, but his comedic muses at the Second City e.t.c. are raising expectations. “Can he really turn Guantanamo into the next Six Flags?,” sings the cast of the new revue on Second City’s second stage. “Can he turn every gun into a gumdrop?” (***)
* Claim your seats: 10 tickets (at $50 each) for the 10 p.m. performance at Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St. Call the box office at 312-337-3992. Champagne toast at midnight.
Zanies
All three Zanies comedy clubs are getting into the act. You have your pick from comics John Roy, Kevin Hart and Jason Robinson.
* Claim your seats:
Zanies Chicago , 1548 N. Wells St., has Star Search champ John Roy. For the 8 p.m. show, 4 seats (at $30 each). And for the 10:30 p.m. show with party favors and champagne toast at midnight, 4 seats (at $40 each). Call the box office at 312-337-4027.
Zanies Vernon Hills , 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, has “Soul Plane” movie star Kevin Hart. For the 8 p.m. show, 4 seats (at $35 each). And for the 10:30 p.m. show with party favors and champagne toast at midnight, 4 seats (at $45 each). Call the box office at 847-549-6030.
Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort , 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, has Jason Robinson of “Full Throttle Comedy.” For the 8 p.m. show, 4 seats (at $30 each). And for the 10:30 p.m. show with party favors and champagne toast at midnight, 4 seats (at $40 each). Call the box office at 630-584-6342.
The Best of The Best of Black Ensemble Theater
A celebration of BET music, including songs from “I Am Who I Am (The Story of Teddy Pendergrass),” “Sounds So Good, Makes You Wanna Holler,” “Those Sensational Soulful ’60s,” “Don’t Make Me Over (In Tribute to Dionne Warwick)” and “At Last (A Tribute to Etta James).” The evening begins with a champagne and hors d’if $Capital ( return “?” ) else ( return “?” )uvre reception and ends with everyone on the stage.
* Claim your seats: There are 4 tickets (at $100 each) for the evening, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon St. Call the box office at 773-769-4451.
Don’t Dress for Dinner
From critic Chris Jones’ review: The good times are back at the Royal George — just as they’re collapsing everywhere else. I wouldn’t claim that the new production of the Marc Camoletti farce, starring Jeffrey Donovan and Patricia Kalember of TV fame, qualifies as an economic stimulus package. But this is a terrific show, cheerfully retro and un-P.C., a stimulus for the funny bone. (*** 1/2)
* Claim your seats: There are 4 tickets available (at $69.50 each) for both the 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. shows, with champagne toasts after the performances. At the Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St.; call the box office at 312-988-9000.
The Christmas Schooner
From critic Chris Jones’ review: In its final docking at the Bailiwick Arts Center, “Christmas Schooner” is our only major holiday show that’s set in Chicago. This lovely musical by John Reeger and Julie Shannon tells the story of the crew of one of the much-loved Christmas ships that once sailed down a wintry Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to immigrant Chicagoans. For the first time, Bailiwick’s show is accompanied by a terrific small orchestra. And the charming Chicago actress Laura McClain is the most solid vocal anchor in its history. Director Mary Beidler Gearen warmly surrounds the audience with the spirit of this extraordinarily moving show. (***)
* Claim your seats: A total of 10 tickets available for the 2:30 p.m. performance at the Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. This will be one of the last nights for Bailiwick on its mainstage. Call the box office at 773-883-1090.
The Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue
Ring in 2009 in Arlington Heights with an adults-only send-up of the silly season, by a Second City touring cast.
* Claim your seats: A total of 10 seats available at the 6 p.m. show, your choice of regular seats (at $50 each) or table seats (at $60 each). With a champagne toast after the show. Also 10 seats for the 10 p.m. show, your choice of $50 seats or $60 table seats. With a ballon drop, champagne toast and countdown with the cast. At the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; call the box office at 847-577-2121.
Blue Man Group
From critic Chris Jones’ review:
If you’d told me in 1997 that I’d be back 10 years later at a packed-to-the-gills Briar Street Theatre watching a weirdly expressive trio of cobalt dudes drumming and splattering, I’d have said you’d ingested too much blue paint. I saw the appeal, but didn’t think “Blue Man Group” would age well. Wrong.
* Claim your seats: At the 4 p.m. show, 6 tickets (at $64 each) for the main floor. At 7 p.m., 6 tickets (at $75 each) for the main floor, with champagne before the performance. And at 10 p.m., 6 tickets (at $75 each) for the main floor, with a countdown to midnight following. At the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St.; call the box office at 312-348-4000.