CHICAGO (WLS) — This December, Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building and the Studebaker Theater will once again come alive with the enchanting return of Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol, scheduled for a limited engagement from December 12 to 28.

Prepare to be captivated by a holiday production like no other, featuring a tapestry of handmade puppets, immersive soundscapes, and a mesmerizing live musical score. Each ticket not only promises a seat at the performance but also grants access to a unique post-show experience on the Studebaker stage. Attendees can immerse themselves in the magic with interactive puppetry demonstrations, engaging conversations with the cast, exclusive set tours, and festive photography opportunities.

Tickets for this enchanting performance are now available, starting at $45, with special pricing for students who can present a valid ID. Showtimes include Fridays on December 12, 19, and 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays on December 13, 20, and 27 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays on December 14, 21, and 28 at 2 p.m.; as well as performances on Wednesday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, December 24 at 3 p.m.

For further details and to secure your tickets, visit fineartsbuilding.com/christmascarol.

Within Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol, audiences meet Aunt Trudy, a self-proclaimed critic of holiday festivities, who finds herself unexpectedly tasked with continuing her late husband Joe’s tradition of spreading holiday joy. Alone in her Chicago home on Christmas Eve, she attempts to recreate his beloved Christmas Carol puppet show via Zoom, while the family remains miles away. As Trudy delves into the tale, the puppets begin to animate in extraordinary ways, transforming the family video call into a breathtaking and unique cinematic interpretation of Dickens’s timeless ghost story.

This beloved one-of-a-kind rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic story is co-produced by the Studebaker Theater and Manual Cinema.

“We are delighted to welcome Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol back to the Studebaker,” says Jacob Harvey, Managing Artistic Director of the Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater. “Manual Cinema’s uniquely imaginative adaptation has become the perfect holiday tradition for the Fine Arts Building, which has been Chicago’s cultural hub for 127 years. This Christmas Carol is a truly magical experience and we look forward to sharing it with audiences of all ages!”