Best bets: Kooky 'Addams Family' returns to Chicago
Creepy & kooky
“The Addams Family” returns to Chicago starting Tuesday in a newly retooled tour that presents this ghoulish Broadway musical in its final version at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27-30; 8 p.m. Dec. 31; and 2 p.m. Dec. 28, 31 and Jan. 1
Nutcracker of the week
Time is running out to catch “The Nutcracker” this holiday season. Why not splurge on Chicago's biggest and most lavish production courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet, which presents the classic Tchaikovsky ballet at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$115. (800) 982-2787 or joffrey.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, and Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 26-27
Rally for R&B
Get your fix of R&B music acts like Mindless Behavior, Jacob Latimore and more at WGCI'S BIG JAM starring R. Kelly tonight at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$125. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23
Comedy Cash
If you've loved seeing comedian Cash Levy on the cable network Comedy Central or on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson,” then catch him tonight at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $24 plus a two menu item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23
Un-kosher songs
Sean Altman, formerly of Rockapella, returns to Skokie to offer decidedly un-kosher comedy songs in his show “Jewmongous!” Sunday at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $18-$25. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com. 8 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25
Healing nature
See how Mary Lennox helps heal a grieving family through nature when Light Opera Works presents the 1991 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “The Secret Garden” next week at Northwestern University's Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $32-$92; New Year's Eve $34-$94 ($6 handling charge per order). (847) 920-5360 or LightOperaWorks.com. 2 p.m. Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 1; 8 p.m. Dec. 29-30; and 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 31
Phone home
Take your whole family to see director Steven Spielberg's classic 1982 fantasy film “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” on the big screen at the 80-year-old Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Free admission. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26
Ready to rumble
CM Punk, David Otunga and Dolph Ziggler are just a few of the wrestlers set to do battle in matchups for WWE Monday Night Raw at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$75. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26
Riotous Rodriguez
End 2011 on a laughing high when comedian Paul Rodriguez starts a special engagement Thursday at The Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28; $35-$65 on New Year's Eve. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31