We may have a long wait in store before Harry Connick, Jr. immortalizes Christmas songs like “Merry Christmas From a Blue State,” the Tom Waitsian “Dance Like a Monkey” or, especially, “Don’t Be Such an Asshole.” In the meantime, you’ll have to make your way to the Storefront Theater yourself. Expect, along the way, to exchange gifts with fellow audience members, to participate in a mass toast to the holiday season and, if you’re bold enough and properly seated, to flood the stage in the most inspired bout of audience dancing since John Lydon appeared on American Bandstand. Don’t expect, so much, to hear about Ghosts of Christmas Past or Present or To Come, though Molly Brennan, Adrian Danzig and Chad Southard will occasionally sport crutches and Cockney accents, and the occasionally muttered “Marley” can be heard. Most of all, unless your inner Scrooge is more highly developed than most, prepare to be thoroughly charmed and amused by 500 Clown’s infectious and anarchic take on Christmas. What rough spots do inevitably arise in this heavily improvisational show are compensated for by the stunning musical work of John Fournier and his band. For an hour and change, 500 Clown offers a vision of the utopia that holidays almost never really live up to. My only real complaint was that it all ended a little too soon. (John Beer)
“500 Clown (sings) Christmas Carol(s)” plays at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph, (312)742-8497, through January 7.
