Curtain Call — Deeply Rooted Dance, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and more Chicago theater Dec. 12-18

If you’re looking to take in some live theater in Chicago in the week ahead, we’ve got some highlights to consider:

PICK OF THE WEEK:

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater: The fall season for this always interesting dance company features revivals of two Deeply Rooted classics — Martial Roumain’s “Essence — A Portrait of Four Women” and Kevin Iega Jeff’s “Dedication” — plus other works from the repertoire including Gary Abbott’s “Parallel Lives,” Nicole Clarke-Springer’s “Forces” and Joshua L. Ishmon’s “When Men.” The company also performs “Gesem, East of the Nile,” a short preview of a new collaboration with Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Donald Lawrence, which will debut in full in the spring. Beginning with the fall performances, Clarke-Springer takes over as the company’s artistic director while Jeff moves into the role of creative director focusing on community relationships, the development of the South Side Dance Center and special projects beginning with the Lawrence partnership. Dec. 13-15. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th, $45; deeplyrooteddancetheater.org

More previews, openings:

Evan Hanover

“Burning Bluebeard”: Jay Torrence’s play inspired by the 1903 Iroquois Theatre Fire is told with music, clowning, tumbling, acrobatics and dance. Previews begin Dec. 13, opens Dec. 15; to Dec. 29. The Ruffians at Porchlight Music Theatre at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, $45; porchlightmusictheatre.org

“Dance Nation”: Clare Barron’s comedy about a pre-teen dance troupe navigating ambition, friendship and desire as they claw their way to nationals; directed by Lee Sunday Evans. Previews begin Dec. 12, opens Dec. 19; to Jan. 26. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, $20-$94; steppenwolf.org

Lowell Thomas

“Exit Disclaimer — Science & Fiction Ahead”: The Seldoms present a dance theater work that surveys the divisive national argument about climate change. Dec. 12-15. Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, $35; steppenwolf.org

“The Nutcracker”: Ballet Chicago’s staging of the holiday classic. Dec. 13-22 at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, $18-$50; athenaeumtheatre.org

“The Nutcracker”: Presented by Hyde Park School of Dance, more than 175 dancers perform in this version of the classic that features ballet, modern dance and hip-hop. Dec. 13-15 at Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57th, $10-$40; hydeparkdance.org

“The Nutcracker”: Salt Creek Ballet’s full-scale production of the holiday classic. Dec. 14-15 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn, $34, $44; atthemac.org. Dec. 21-22 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $21.50-$44.50; northshorecenter.org

Matthew Murphy

“The Phantom of the Opera”: Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical. Previews begin Dec. 18, opens Dec. 20; to Jan. 5. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, $46-$111; broadwayinchicago.com

“Swinging on a Star, a Salute to Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters”: Broadway veteran Jared Bradshaw (“Jersey Boys”) performs classics from a bygone era. Dec. 17. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, $50; artistsloungelive.com

“Tidings of Tap”: Chicago Tap Theatre’s celebration of tap and the holiday season. Dec. 15. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie, Skokie, $25-$41; chicagotaptheatre.com

“Xmas War” and “Xmas War: Endgame”: A double feature with last year’s show and a new sequel that asks the question: Will Santa succeed with his diabolical plan? Directed by Matt Engle. Opens Dec. 13; to Dec. 21. The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard, $15; visit thefactorytheater.com

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.