‘Wonderful Life’

Improv Playhouse remounts its radio adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic about everyman George Bailey who glimpses how his community would have fared had he never been born. David Brian Stuart directs and stars as George. Egon Schein, of Libertyville, plays Clarence the angel, who takes George under his wing, and Mr. Potter, the greedy developer who wants to pull the rug out from under him.

4:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $20. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com .

‘Blue Nativity’

Quest Theatre Ensemble commences its annual mini-tour of its “Blue Nativity” show in Schaumburg on Friday. Conceived and written by artistic director Andrew Park, Quest’s retelling of the birth of Christ features large puppets and is accompanied by live music to serve, Park says, as a “reminder that a simple light can rise from complicated darkness.”

7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Christ Community Mennonite Church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Free, but donations are accepted. Subsequent performances take place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, and Jan. 1 at Chicago churches. (312) 458-0895 or questensemble.org .

LOL holiday show

Laugh Out Loud ensemble members riff comedic on holiday traditions including gift exchanges and family reunions as part of the comedy club’s “Yet Another Holiday Show.” Early performances of the improv show are family-friendly. Late shows are for adults only.

7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17, and Dec. 23 and 30 at 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $20 adults, $12 kids. (847) 240-0386 or laughoutloudtheater.com .

— Barbara Vitello