Quick: how many classic holiday songs began life in Broadway shows and/or films? Quite a few, actually, although most became more well known as Yuletide songs in and of themselves: Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” still the most popular song of all time, began life in the 1942 film “Holiday Inn,” not the later 1950s remake called “White Christmas.” And despite the fact that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is now a happy holiday tune, Judy Garland introduced it as a heartbreaking ballad in “Meet Me in St. Louis” while Angela Lansbury introduced “We Need a Little Christmas” in “Mame” only to have Lucille Ball croak her way through it in the film version. And would you believe that Bob Hope actually introduced “Silver Bells” in the otherwise forgetful gangster comedy “The Lemon Drop Kid?” These types of tidbits and the songs themselves, of course, will be the centerpiece of this holiday-themed revue that includes cabaret artists Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Laura Freeman, Joel Kopishke, Jaii Beckley, Robert Whorton and a special appearance by Audrey Morris. (Dennis Polkow)
Sat/1pm & 3pm. Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall, 77 E. Randolph, (312)742-8496. Free.
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