CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The idea came to Denise McGowan Tracy more than 12 years ago. She saw a little girl on Santa's lap talking about her holiday wishes.
"She was going on and on about what toys she wanted, but also specified what color they needed to be, what she didn't want, she was very, very specific and I thought to myself, how'd you like to be the poor toy stuck with that kid," she laughed. "It stuck with me. What if you flipped the story and you turned it around and what about a toy wishing for a kid? What if that letter was written to Santa?"
That's where "Eleanor's Very Merry Christmas Wish" was born.
"I love the book, but we said to people you really need to read this out loud, so I would do the voices. I was talking to an actor friend of mine and they suggested I meet with a composer. Kathleen Gibson and I met over coffee and we really clicked, I told her the story and she said, 'I can hear this music,'" McGowan Tracy said.
In December 2018, McGowan Tracy did her first reading at the Mercury Theater.
McGowan Tracy said there are several messages to this story.
"It gets them away from their devices and brings them an experience. I see kids laughing and giggling. We see them embrace and hug their parents at moments with wide eyes. It's really great connections for parents, kids, and even grandparents," McGowan Tracy said.
Children can also meet the elves before the show and take a picture with Santa after the performance.
"Eleanor's Very Merry Christmas Wish" is playing at the Greenhouse Theater until Dec.r 29.
Performances take place on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
