Dennis Polkow

If you’re looking for an inexpensive and family-friendly, temporary tropical-holiday getaway, spend a couple of hours this week at the Chicago Theatre with "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy." Not to be confused with the Cirque du soleil moniker, Cirque Dreams is a separate franchise of elaborate touring shows that mixes the European circus or cirque tradition with Broadway-style musical entertainment. This particular incarnation, which is having its Chicago premiere for a special one-week-only set of shows, uses a lush, tropical environment as the backdrop for an enchanted forest full of an international array of graceful aerialists, spine-bending contortionists, vine-swinging characters, strongmen and balancers that together with stage designs, special effects, choreography, puppeteering and "Lion King"-like costumes all set to an original musical score.

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy runs at the Chicago Theatre, 175 North State, (312)263-1138, through December 30. (2007-12-26)

Also by Dennis Polkow

Music to Knowell
Although The Decemberists released their "Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas)" (Capital) only as a Christmas single, there are still artists releasing full holiday albums as well as classic reissues. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute stocking stuffer or an opportunity to savor the sounds of the season amidst the holiday chaos, this year’s selective releases of holiday music has something for every taste
(2007-12-18)

Playing Around
"If you think you’ve seen ‘Oklahoma!’, you really haven’t," proudly declares Light Opera Works’ general manager and co-founder Bridget McDonough. "Unless, that is, you’ve seen it with the full Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations"
(2007-12-18)

Bombs Away
If opera is the domain of the director, there is no director more legendary and eccentric than Sellars, who not only revolutionized the genre with his bold, modern interpretations of the classics, but also by commissioning iconic new works as well that often touch deep social nerves
(2007-12-11)

Tip of the Week
How ironic that the Goodman Theatre is playing host to Congo Square Theatre’s "Black Nativity" just down the hall from its "A Christmas Carol," a cash-cow shopworn spectacle still in search of a heart after three decades. While the throngs are heading to watch Marley, Scrooge and the like go through the motions yet again, a much smaller crowd is gathering to experience a show so full of emotion and sensitivity that it literally wears its heart on its sleeve
(2007-12-11)

Music Before Motion
(2007-11-19)

Tip of the Week
(2007-11-19)

Shadow of Herself
(2007-11-13)

Dutch Treat
(2007-10-30)

Tomb, Sweet Tomb
(2007-10-23)

Tip of the Week
(2007-10-16)

Maestro Mason
(2007-10-09)

Tip of the Week
(2007-10-02)

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