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Every year hundreds of theatres across America perform "A Christmas Carol," "It's A Wonderful Life," and "The Nutcracker."

The barrage of traditional Christmas faire may make some people hesitant to venture out into the theatres this December. Just up I-57, the city of Chicago puts on some of the most incredibly offbeat offerings that could make your holidays brighter, or, in some cases, darker.

Judy's Scary Little Christmas

Straw Dog Theatre

3829 N. Broadway, Chicago

Now through Jan. 7

Thurs, Fri, Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m.

Reservations: (312) 409-4357

Back in the 1950s, big celebrities used to host holiday specials where they welcomed the TV audience into their homes to share the holiday spirit. Chicago's Hell in a Handbag Productions presents a production that deals with what could happen when one of these innocent little specials goes oddly awry. In its Chicago premiere, this musical is set in 1959, when Judy Garland, (Jennifer Connelly, not the Hollywood Jennifer Connelly but just as hot), 20 years past her prime as Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz," brings together a bunch of celebrities including Bing Crosby (Derek Czaplewski), Liberace (Brannen Daugherty) and Joan Crawford (David Cerda) for her comeback special.

"Things take a twisted turn when a mysterious guest crashes the party ... taking one and all on a mystical journey beyond legends and legacies," says the Hell in a Handbag Web site. Who is the mystery guest? "I'm sworn to secrecy," Connelly "There'll be a few surprises."

She did say however that her favorite musical number in the show is entitled, "Mauna Loa Hula Holiday," and sung by Ethel Merman (Trista Smith), if that gives any indication of the many places and dimensions this show will go. Connelly also said this show isn't a passive, "sit back and watch" audience experience.

"It's something you get involved in," Connelly said. "You're a part of the show. The audience is a member of the cast." "Judy's Scary Little Christmas," written by James Webber and David Church of Los Angeles, had its world premiere at the Victory Theatre in Burbank, Calif. in Nov. 2002.

SantaLand Diaries

Theatre Building

1225 W. Belmont, Chicago

Now through Dec. 31

Thurs, 7:45 p.m.; Fri & Sat 7:15 and 9 p.m.; Sun 3:30 and 7 p.m.

Reservations: 773-327-5252

Famed essayist David Sedaris' tale about working as an elf in a Macy's Santa Land comes to the stage with Theatre Wit's one-man show. For the second year in a row, Theatre Wit brings to life Sedaris' humorous tales of colicky children and obnoxious parents peppered with fantasies of schmoozing with stars from the soap opera, "One Life to Live." Director Jeremy Wechsler said it's sort of an examination of the sketchy side of Christmas. "It's really about the tension of the holiday season, and the things we're told to expect, like Santa by the fire," Wechsler said. "Some people find it frustrating, some people find it demoralizing." Wechsler said the script studies the pros and cons of the holiday. "Do the good parts of Christmas outweigh the bad parts of Christmas," Wechsler asks. "I myself think they do - just barely." He said there are no scenes, just an actor telling the story. But he said it's more than some guy on a stage reading a book. Joe Foust plays Sedaris, the only character in the show. Wechsler calls Foust one of Chicago's "five funniest performers" and said Foust doesn't try to imitate Sedaris in any way. He calls Foust a "dangerous, edgy clown." "Joe transforms it so we can hear it again," he said. "There's a lot about this performance that even people desperately familiar with Sedaris can take away. You will hear it differently because of Joe's personality and what he brings to the stage. So even if you're a serious aficionado of David Sedaris, you should see it." Wechsler said there's actually some material in the play that was left out of the book.

It's A Fabulous Life

Bailiwick Repertory Theatre

1229 W Belmont Avenue, Chicago

Now through Dec. 31

Wed & Thurs at 8 p.m; Fri 9:15 p.m; Sat at 6 p.m.

Reservations: 773.883.1090

This musical answers the question everyone's been asking since "It's a Wonderful Life" first came to movie theatre exactly 60 years ago - What if George Bailey had been a gay, struggling actor? "It's a Fabulous Life" focuses on Joe (Adam McNulty), a gay thespian who works in a local theatre troupe, The Lavender Players. While rehearsing for their latest musical, "Randolph the Rainbow Reindeer," pressure from family, the boyfriend, and politics prompts Joe to wish he'd been born straight. The cast features 10 men and one woman (Nikki Greenlee), who becomes Joe's straight love interest once the angel grants Joe's wish, turning him into a straight man who loves watching baseball, wearing khakis and reading Sports Illustrated. Director Matthew Gunnels said McNulty does a superb job of playing Joe both straight and gay, but playing neither stereotypically. Gunnels said he is also awed with the versatility of the music.

"What impressed me is the music in show and how strong and varied it was," he said.

"It goes anywhere from pop, to a couple power ballads." There's silly, campy music, a big dance number that sounds like a Ricky Martin song, and a parody of "Dream the Impossible Dream," Gunnels said. "If you don't like one song just stick around, there'll be something else," Gunnels' personal favorite is called "Hell of a Time in Heaven." "It's a big gospel number," he said. "And the way it's used in show is very clever. They do this big gospel number, then ask the hero if the number was 'fabulous.' When he says 'no' then they know he's actually (become) straight." Despite the casual atmosphere of the show, Gunnels hopes it sends a message to the audience. "I hope that they take a second to reflect on what the show means and go 'Wow, that show was really moving for such a silly show,'" he said.

Santa Abductions

The Neo-Futurarium

5153 N Ashland Ave., Chicago

Now through Dec 23.

Thurs - Sat at 8 p.m.

Reservations: 773-275-5255

"This play contains adult situations, profanity, and it questions the existence of certain quasi-religious icon," says a warning to parents on the Neofuturists' Web site. The Neofuturists' first-ever holiday show, "Santa Abductions" follows the life of Fred, a child who feels so betrayed his mother lied to him, and St. Nick might not real, that he goes on a kidnapping spree as an adult. This merry tale of revenge has everything, from evil puppet elves to musical numbers, on Fred's quest to create the ultimate Santa.

The show was written by Sean Benjamin, member of the Neofuturists since 1996 and seasoned writer and improviser with such plays to his credit as "National Geographic Presents: Tribe of the Present Tense," and "The X-Chromosomes: The Truth Is Out There."

Please call ahead for all shows, as some may or may not be playing on Dec. 24, 31, or Jan 1. Some may have extra performances the week of Dec. 19-24