Save the Seats 2023: Your tickets for New Year’s Eve, from Second City to concerts to ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve, 2023 edition? Here we are, the Wednesday before the weekend and you have no tickets yet for the big night. Which is where Save the Seats comes in.

This story is our annual feature with ticket reservations for Tribune readers for Dec. 31. Read on for some two dozen performances, concerts and other events around town with tickets set aside for us. Many are for shows that are otherwise sold out. And they’re yours for the buying if you’re one of the first to call or click.

Here’s how this works

1. Check out the shows on offer. The theaters and other venues are holding tickets for their Dec. 31 performances in the Tribune’s name, and Tribune readers who request them when the box office opens Wednesday can buy them at face value. (This is not a contest or giveaway — the tickets are not free.)

2. Check prices and showtimes, have your credit card handy and call the phone numbers included here. In some cases, they’re not the usual box office numbers. Sales are by phone or online with Tribune passcodes. When you speak with the show’s representative, identify yourself as a Tribune reader and request the Save the Seats tickets.

3. If the tickets on offer are still unclaimed, you can buy them. Complete the transaction, and you’re all set. In most cases, the tickets will be held for you at the will-call window.

Consider this the fine print: We’ve made every effort to ensure that showtimes and prices are correct, but some shows also add ticket fees and last-minute changes and cancellations can occur. The Tribune made the reservations, but all sales arrangements are up to the venues. The Tribune is in no way associated with these shows; they’re just included in our feature.

On to the shows

The Second City: The current comedies on all three Second City stages in Piper’s Alley have New Year’s Eve tickets reserved for the Tribune. “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” ($59) is on the mainstage at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. “Oh, the Places You’ll Glow” ($49) is on the e.t.c. Stage at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. And the holiday-themed show “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Sweater” ($39) is in the UP Comedy Club at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Claim your seats: 6 tickets to each show at Second City, 1616 N. Wells St. Call 312-337-3992.

“Young Frankenstein”: Last chance to catch Igor (Ryan Stajmiger), the Monster (Andrew MacNaughton) and the rest in the Chicago premiere of the musical based on the hilarious 1974 Mel Brooks movie. Mercury Theater’s intimate production is better than Broadway’s, says the Tribune’s Chris Jones in his review. Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $85 per) for the 2:30 p.m. show at Mercury Theater Chicago, 3745 N. Southport Ave. Call 773-360-7365.

Zanies: Without standup on tap at Zanies, it would not be a Save the Seats. Steph Tolev is the headliner at the downtown comedy club on Wells Street for the night of New Year’s Eve, with sets at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. (both $50 per). In west suburban Rosemont, Lisa Ann Walter (you know her as Melissa Schemmenti in ABC’s “Abbott Elementary”) has sets at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ($45, $55 VIP seating, $75 with VIP seating and post-show meet-and-greet). Claim your seats: 4 tickets to all shows. For Zanies Chicago, 1548 N. Wells St., call 312-337-4027. For Zanies Rosemont, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, call 847-813-0484.

“The Other Cinderella”: It’s the 47th holiday for Jackie Taylor’s show at Black Ensemble Theater. The story remains the same — Cinderella is from housing projects, Stepmamma works at the Post Office and the Fairygodmamma hails from Jamaica. The New Year’s Eve performance includes a special appearance by Taylor as the Fairygodmamma. Claim your seats: 6 tickets (at $100 per) for the 3 p.m. show at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St. Call 773-769-4451.

Chicago Magic Lounge: No better place to watch 2023 disappear than at the Magic Lounge. The lounge’s stylish New Year’s Eve celebration begins with close-up magic performed by house magicians at your cabaret table, then an hourlong stage show. Your ticket includes a Champagne toast at midnight and a souvenir Champagne flute. Those with premium tickets are also invited to a close-up aftershow in the 654 Club. Claim your seats: 4 pairs (8 in total, ranging from $85 to $120) for the 10 p.m. event at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. Call 312-366-4500.

“Stomp”: This show has been around for a while, with its roots in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the early 1980s. But its principal draw — the thrill of percussion created by everyday objects like paint cans, Zippo lighters and supermarket carts — hasn’t aged a bit. Claim your seats: 2 tickets (at $70 to $80 per) for both the 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St. Call the Broadway In Chicago customer service line after 10 a.m. at 312-977-1702.

Des Bishop: The American-Irish standup comedian will present his “New Year’s Laughin’ Eve” show on the Den’s classy Heath Mainstage. Claim your seats: 12 tickets (at $35 per) for the 8 p.m. show at Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Call 773-697-3830 between noon and 4 p.m.

“The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party”: To be sure, not all of these New Year’s Eve events are for midnight revelers. This show by Chicago Children’s Theatre is great for families with very young children. It features puppets, music and storytellers exploring characters and yarns from Beatrix Potter’s beloved children’s books, including the classic “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” After the show, theatergoers can gather in the lobby to meet the puppets and enjoy a tea party with cookies and other refreshments. Claim your seats: 12 tickets (at $45.25 per) for both the 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. performances at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave. Call 312-374-8835.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: The Paramount Theatre in Aurora is staging the 2017 Broadway musical based on Roald Dahl’s story about a young Charlie Bucket and his Grandpa Joe meeting the eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka. The stage is spectacular, wrote the Tribune’s Chris Jones in his review, though Dahl’s dark stories have proven hard to adapt into musicals. Claim your seats: 10 premium tickets (at $79 per) for both the 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. performances at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Call 630-896-6666.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!”: American Blues Theater has been putting on its beloved holiday show for more than 20 years, retelling the story of Frank Capra’s classic film in the form of an onstage 1940s radio play directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside. Cookies and milk follow each show, this year in the theater’s new home on Lincoln Avenue. Claim your seats: 10 tickets (at $35 per) for the 2 p.m. show at American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-654-3103.

“Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”: This family-friendly show is now in a pre-Broadway tryout at the restored Studebaker Theater. With music and lyrics by Paul Williams (“The Muppet Movie”), it adapts the old TV Christmas special and features the kind of puppets that made the Jim Henson company famous. The story is about a talent show that the young otter Emmet (Andy Mientus) tries to win in order to buy a Christmas gift for his Ma (Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone). Claim your seats: 12 tickets (at $89 per) for the 3 p.m. show at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Call 312-753-3210.

“Dial M for Murder”: Mystery thrillers are having a moment in Chicago theater. Northlight Theatre now is staging the 1952 Frederick Knott play that became a 1954 Alfred Hitchcock movie in Skokie — with a sizzling cast and a newer adaptation that will keep you guessing. Claim your seats: 8 tickets (at $79 per) for the 2:30 p.m. show at Northlight Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Call 847-673-6300.

Blue Man Group: The bald men of Blue Man know how to do New Year’s Eve, and have been saving seats for Tribune readers since our feature began in 2005. Of the four performances on Saturday, the first two are especially for families, with preshow face painting as well as party hats, noisemakers and “midnight” countdowns at the end of the show with a Blue Dude rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.” Audiences at the 7 p.m. show get a celebratory Champagne toast and party hats. And at the end of the late show, a New Year’s Eve countdown party with noisemakers, a midnight Champagne toast, balloon drop and a Blue Man performance of “Auld Lang Syne.” Claim your seats: Six tickets for each show (at $99 per) at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St. Call 630-216-8833.

“Cinderella”: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical is now at the Drury Lane Theatre, with the classic story and the songs “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible / It’s Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Claim your seats: 50 tickets (at $91 to $96.25 per) for the 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. shows at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Call 630-530-0111.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”: Dr. Seuss’ holiday classic is adapted into an 85-minute stage musical, with the Grinch singing and dancing through Whoville. The story is narrated by Max the Dog, with songs you know from the TV special. Claim your seats: 2 tickets (at $105 per) for the 2 p.m. show at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St. Call the Broadway In Chicago customer service line after 10 a.m. at 312-977-1702.

Otherworld Theatre: Chicago’s theatrical home for science fiction and fantasy has two shows to choose from. “Drag’n Brunch” is described as “a fantasy-themed drag tournament” with games, competitions and bottomless mimosas (11:30 a.m.; tickets $30 per). Then its long-running “PORTAL-PROV!” is pop culture-themed improv, celebrating the big night with the New Year’s Eve Cosplay Countdown and afterparty (7 p.m.; tickets $50 per). Claim your seats: 10 tickets to both shows at Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St. Purchase at otherworldtheatre.org with code TRIBUNENYE.

Lindsey Stirling: The classically trained musician brings her electronic violin and compositions from her new album “Snow Waltz” to the Auditorium Theatre to ring in 2024. Claim your seats: 4 pairs of premium tickets (8 total, at $109 per) for the 8:30 p.m. show at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Purchase at auditoriumtheatre.org with code TRIBUNE.

“Shrek: The Musical”: This Tony Award-winning musical is now in a north suburban production by Music Theater Works. Based on the animated movie with original songs, it follows the antics of Princess Fiona, Shrek and Donkey. Claim your seats: 4 tickets (at $106 per) for the 2 p.m. show at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. Call 847-673-6300.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”: Director Jessica Fisch improves on the Broadway staging of this heartfelt jukebox musical about songwriter Carole King. It’s the best show at the suburban Marriott Theatre in some time, says Tribune critic Chris Jones in his review. Claim your seats: 12 tickets (at $60 to $73 per) for both the 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Call 847-634-0200.

dgeorge@chicagotribune.com