North Central stages range of holiday music, theatre shows in December

North Central College presents a celebrated lineup of holiday performances during the Christmas season. Music ranges from jazz, brass and tunes from “Peanuts,” to vocal quartets, choirs and a full orchestra. Theatre performances feature the fanciful ballet “The Nutcracker” and a twist on the Dickens’ classic featuring Jacob Marley.

All the holiday December shows are staged in North Central College’s Naperville venues. For details visit northcentralcollege.edu/show; for tickets call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit tickets.noctrl.edu.

Here are highlights of those performances:

On Friday, Dec. 4, members of North Central College’s internationally acclaimed jazz faculty will perform their third annual Christmas Concert “A Jazz Christmas” at 8 p.m. in Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Faculty artists include vocalist Janice Borla, saxophonist Mitch Paliga, trumpeter Art Davis, trombonist Tim Coffman, vibraphonist Brad Stirtz, pianist Chris White, bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Jack Mouse. Tickets are $25/adults and $20/students and seniors.

On Sunday, Dec. 6, North Central College presents two performances featuring Canadian Brass, one of the most popular brass ensembles today. Performing for the last four decades and scoring on the Billboard chart, this brass ensemble performs at 2 and at 6 p.m. in the College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $50 and $40.

On Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 10-13, Organic Theater Company stages “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” a take on the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” but with a different point of view. Five shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-12 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 12-13 in North Central College’s theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Tickets are $30 and $20.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, North Central College presents five-time Grammy-nominated veteran composer and contemporary jazz pianist David Benoit. His family-friendly “Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown” performance with special guest Jane Monheit begins at 8 p.m. in the College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $55 and $40.

On Sunday, Dec. 13, DuPage Symphony Orchestra presents two performances of its “Holiday Concert” at 2 and 4 p.m. in North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center. Tickets range between $20.50 to $10.50. 

On Friday, Dec. 18, North Central College presents Canadian vocal quartet The Tenors on its “Under One Sky” tour. The multi-platinum, Juno Award-winning foursome performs at 8 p.m. in Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Tickets are $85, $75 and $65.

North Central College welcomes several more holiday shows to its venues. The Naperville Chorus presents its Christmas Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Wentz Concert Hall. DanceWest Ballet will stage four performances of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 11-13 in Pfeiffer Hall. Chicago a cappella performs “Holidays A Cappella” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, in Wentz Concert Hall. Chicago’s The Lakeside Singers present “Home for the Holidays” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, in Wentz Concert Hall.

For more information about these shows that are open to the public, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).