Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: Play from local writer stands out during season of holiday events
By Julian J. Frazin
You may have noticed an interesting phenomenon lately in the book business, especially in the publication of illustrated books for children.
An increasing number of entertainers and celebrities have become writers, including the likes of Madonna, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and Julie Andrews. Include in this mix John Travolta.
So it should come as no surprise that Chicago’s Denise McGowan Tracy, the former entertainment director for Navy Pier and founder of DMT Entertainment, would write one too.
McGowan Tracy — the host of the musical showcase “Monday Night Live at Petterino’s,” which she co-created with pianist Beckie Menzie – wrote “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish.” She also produced it as a musical, just in time to join the growing number of staged Christmas musicals this season.
Adding to the traditional “A Christmas Carol” at Goodman Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at the Auditorium, now there is “Mrs. Claus — A Holiday Musical” at the Beverly Arts Center, “The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party” at Chicago Children’s Theatre, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Broadway Playhouse, “The Land of Forgotten Toys” at Greenhouse Theater Center and, for those celebrating the festival of lights, Strawdog Theatre’s “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.”
Like that proverbial little engine that “thinks it can,” “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish” also at the intimate Greenhouse Theatre Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., is playing through Dec. 29. It’s a delightful story with eight wonderful songs that does it all for those little people in your life — as well as for those of us who are still children at heart.
With the book by McGowan Tracy, who also co-wrote the lyrics and music with Kathleen Butler-Duplessis, the direction and choreography by Zachary L. Gray and with musical direction and arrangements by David Fiorello, this joyful little gem of a show has been beautifully produced with brilliant holiday sets by Kehoe Designs and imaginative, brightly colored costumes by Tatjana Radisic.
This sweet and engaging tale is about Eleanor (Samantha Bonzi), a rag doll who lives at the North Pole with Santa (David Turrentine) and Mrs. Claus (Erin Parker) where she is loved and cared for by all of Santa’s elves and helpers.
It has a professional and experienced cast portraying Twinkle (Lindsey Jane Bullen), Sprinkle (Scott Ryder/John Marshall Jr.), Sparkle (Kim Green), Clara (Emily Rohm), Shimmer (Cara Chumbley) and Glimmer (Claire LaTourette).
They all join in the opening number where it’s “Christmas all year.” The elves get a showcase number where they demonstrate their special skill in packaging the toys and gifts for good boys and girls.
Mrs. Claus, also known as “Cookie” for her baking skills, explains how, even if a cookie had no icing or chocolate chips it would still taste delicious — singing a song that applies to cookies and people as well.
There also is a woman in Chicago who wrote to Santa when she was a child, but then, realizing that she was too old for childish things, wrote again, canceling her request. The musical continues with Santa and company preparing for their Christmas mission, only to find out, like the rest of us, that they’re running out of time.
But since this is a Christmas story, you know everything is going to turn out just fine and the cast joins in a closing number and a surprise for all the kids in the audience.
There are of course many other entertaining holiday family programs in Chicago, not the least of which is the free Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo, which is celebrating its 25th annual production with 2.5 million lights.
It features many outstanding displays, transforming the space into twinkling winter wonderland. Visit lpzoo.org for hours and special nights.
Final verdict: Four gavels for “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish” and all the other fine family holiday programs.
Julian J. Frazin, a retired Cook County circuit judge, has written several musical theater works, two illustrated children’s books and music lyrics.
©2019 by Law Bulletin Media. Reprinted with permission.