Home to Santa, Mrs. “Cookie” Claus, Twinkle, Sprinkle and Sparkle the elves and Clara, Santa’s cousin who is in charge of the Naughty and Nice List. And, Eleanor. A rag doll who has lived in this magical world for years but has just one wish – for a home and best friend of her own. Eleanor’s story comes alive in a delightfully whimsical musical with lots of heart.

2019 World Premiere

2020 Streaming Production

DENISE MCGOWAN TRACY
Executive Producer | Book & Lyrics | Managing Partner 

A native Chicagoan and recent Southwest Michigan transplant, Denise has been a recognized face and force in Chicago’s entertainment and events community—on-stage and behind the scenes—for more than 40 years. She began her career managing and booking the talent for the storied Byfield’s nightclub in The Ambassador East Hotel. Denise served as Director of Entertainment for Navy Pier for a decade producing all public programming for millions of visitors. As founder of DMT Entertainment & Events, her full-service entertainment production and event management company, she has produced events for clients including Driehaus Design Initiative, Landmarks Illinois, Lettuce Entertain You, The Better Government Association, The Sarah Siddons Society and The American Bar Association as well as for private clients. With “Eleanor” she began a new chapter in theater as playwright, producer, lyricist and managing director. She was the creator and co-host, with Beckie Menzie, of the popular, long-running impromptu musical showcase Monday Night Live at Petterino’s, which celebrated 12 years and their 500th show prior to the pandemic forced final bow. Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish – The Musical is based on the story originally published by Koehler Books in 2015.  The second edition was published in 2020.

Megan Bueschel 
Managing Partner

Megan Beushel began her marketing communications career with a major Chicago retailer gaining unparalleled experience in the consumer space, while also establishing herself as a respected publicist and promotions professional.  She has worked for notable Chicago companies including Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Tribune Company, Mario Tricoci and others, creating experiential programs and events that impact the bottom line. Focusing on non-profits, as well as entertainment and service industries through Bueschel Communications, Megan is widely known for her enthusiasm, creative problem solving and communications expertise in crafting just the right message to drive results. 

Matt Marsden
Managing Partner

Matt Marsden is President of Resolution Productions and has been part of the production teams for shows such as The Cher Show (Pre-Broadway), On Your Feet! (touring), and Once Upon a One More Time (Pre-Broadway), has worked at many Chicago companies and venues including the Royal George Theater and the Apollo Theater (among others) and for the likes of Hershey Felder and Million Dollar Quartet. Matt’s more recent work has included a wide array of entertainment from local festivals (Wicker Park Fest and Printer’s Row Lit Fest); fashion shows (Mario Tricoci’s Make Me a Model); exhibits (Hamilton the Exhibition); and just plain fun stuff like Goose Island Beer Company’s Battle of the Breweries Dodgeball tournament, The Elf on a Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey and the Christkindlmarket at Chicago’s Daley Plaza (and other locations). Thanks to all who make show biz fun, but especially my fantastic wife, Nettie.

Geoff Miller
Managing Partner

Geoff Miller began his career during the heyday of the 1990s Chicago theatre scene. Following wherever the work led him, his experience became broad and deep; touring, theatre, dance, opera, performance art, orchestras, rock & roll, fun walks, competitive racing from 5/10k to marathons, haunted houses, street fests and Fortune100 corporate events. In 2006 he founded Criterion Productions, a special event and live performance management and production company. Criterion has led & supported a wide range of projects: street fests, food fests, book fairs, art shows, theatrical productions, dance shows, fashion shows, races short and long, galas, beer tastings & fests, cultural celebrations and international outreach events. Criterion has developed long-term relationships with a number of Chicago’s top events; Wicker Park Fest, West Fest Chicago, Do-Division, the Christkindlmarket Chicago and its satellites, and many others.

Ed Tracy
Managing Partner

Ed Tracy is an award-winning broadcast veteran, author, editor, theatre critic, and host of “CONVERSATIONS,” a Chicago-based cultural podcast series of thoughtful and engaging discussions with authors, performing artists, and other arts-based leaders, along with theatrical reviews and features at PicksInSix®. Ed was the founding executive director, and later president and CEO, of the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago, which received the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Services and was recognized five times by the Webby Awards for outstanding programming, including “Pritzker Military Presents” and “Medal of Honor with Ed Tracy.” He is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association, the National Press Club, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), recipient of a Chicago Midwest Regional Emmy Award and author of Gorilla in the Room and Other Stories (Koehler Books 2021).