Madrigal Magic, and More Events in the Southland

New Lenox

Madrigal Magic continues to touch Southland audiences at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 through 4 at Lincoln-Way West, 21701 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox.

The Renaissance style celebrations feature musicians, troubadours and actors, all dressed in period costumes that add an extra touch of mid-first millennium realism to the annual galas.

"Come join in the festivities as more than 30 performers take the stage to present music from the Renaissance along with some of your favorite holiday songs," said Tom Venutolo, the school's choral director.

"This year we are honored to have the Madrigal Ladies as well as new instrumentalists including a harpist and flute trio," he added.

The evening includes a full dinner catered by Enrico's Italian Restaurant of Frankfort.

Tickets are $28 at (815) 717-3507.

New Lenox

If you've missed out on the earlier Lincoln-Way Madrigal galas, you're not out in the snow yet.

Lincoln-Way Central, 1801 E. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, is where it all began.

Faculty and students at the first district high school presented the debut Madrigal Dinner 41 years ago, thus creating a holiday tradition area residents continue to anticipate as Christmastime nears.

Today all four high schools in Lincoln-Way District 210 carry on the acclaimed Madrigal tradition.

Lincoln-Way Central's Madrigals are at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 through 11 and at press time, a limited number of tickets were still available at $28 each, (815) 462-2300.

Tinley Park

Hold on for a potpourri of holiday sounds as the Jazz and Community Band, under the direction of Barbara Abarro, presents the Annual Holiday Concert.

An eclectic performance of traditional tunes, contemporary holiday classics and jazz favorites begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 in the sparkling, all-new , 16801 80th Ave., Tinley Park.

As one of the earliest 2010 holiday season gifts to the community, admission is free.

More information about the concert and the community band is at (708) 342-4200.

Orland Park

Under the direction of village entertainment guru Frann Carnivele-Sidlow, the Orland Park Theatre Troupe will stage A Candle in the Window, the story of a most unusual Christmas miracle.

The production, which runs Dec. 10 through 12 at Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Ave., revolves around a group of weary travelers stranded in a train station shortly before Christmas.

To pass the time, the adults talk about themselves and share some of their personal struggles, Carnivele-Sidlow said. Meanwhile, a group of youngsters rehearse the nativity scene for their church pageant after which the tired adults hunker down for a little nap.

"When they awake, however their lives will never be the same," Carnivele-Sidlow said.

Tickets for what promises to be a captivating show are $13, $11 for seniors and students, $9 for children 12 and younger, (708) 403-7275 and www.orland-park.il.us.

Frankfort

Lincoln-Way High Schools launched the 2010 Madrigal Dinner series last weekend, and the acclaimed holiday festivals continue into the new month.

Lincoln-Way North, 19900 S. Harlem Ave., Frankfort, celebrates the Madrigal series in the Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 through 4 and at an 11:30 a.m. matinee on Dec. 4 also.

Actors, singers, troubadours and instrumentalists as well as the Madrigal Brass and members of the Lincoln-Way North Guitar Studio perform for all three galas. In addition to the Madrigal program, each event includes a full meal catered by Ambrosino's Italian Food in Frankfort .

Tickets are $28; reservations and additional information are at (815) 534-3065.

Frankfort

More music fills the air as the , under the direction of legendary Lincoln-Way conductor Charles R. Stark, presents Sing We Now of Christmas at 3 p.m., Dec. 4 at Lincoln-Way East Fine Arts Center, 210 Colorado Ave., Frankfort.

A brass choir, harpist Emily Fears and the Lincoln-Way Central Guitar Ensemble will join the chorale for an afternoon of glorious holiday music.

Tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and students at (815) 462-2307 and at the door.

Frankfort

About once a month, Jenny's Steak House in Frankfort transforms into a dinner theater for the night as diners enjoy a special performance by a local theater group or other artists in a venue close to home  – with free parking.

At 3 p.m. Dec. 5, Jenny's presents Love Letters, a two-person love story in which the characters, a man and a woman, review their 50-year romance, with all its trials and special times, via the letters they have exchanged throughout the decades.

"You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll think," said Jean Braun, one of the restaurant's managing partners.

And you will eat! The $35 tickets include a three-course dinner as well as the show. The restaurant is at 20 Kansas St. and reservations are required, (815) 464-2685.

Frankfort

Madrigal Magic reaches the Lincoln-Way East High School Campus, 210 Colorado Ave., Frankfort, for a total of five dinner performances, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 through 11 followed by an 11:30 a.m. matinee Dec. 12.

The Renaissance era Madrigal Dinner galas feature costumed actors, troubadours, musicians and perhaps a court jester, as well as a complete dinner catered by Enrico's Italian Dining, Frankfort.

Tickets for this set of dinners are $28 at (815) 464-4000 and anyone interested in attending should act quickly as the district Madrigal events usually sell out.

Oak Lawn

More music heralds the season as the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of David L. Crane, presents its annual Christmas concert, Seasons Greetings at St. Linus Church, at 4 p.m. Dec. 5.

This year the community orchestra joins the St. Linus Music Ministry and Oak Lawn Park District Voices of the Valley for holiday favorites, including Arcangelo Corelli's Christmas Concerto.

The entire audience is encouraged to join the musicians and choruses for Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, which concludes musical celebration.

St. Linus Church is located at 10300 S. Lawler Ave., Oak Lawn. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors, $5 for students, free for children 11 and younger, (708) 802-0686 and at the door.