Weekend picks: Metropolis presents the 'Caveman'
Grunt, laugh
Laugh at perceived differences between men and women traced back to prehistoric times in the one-man show “Rob Becker's Defending the Caveman.” It features actor Ben Tedder this weekend at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $36. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
SATURDAY
Up to their gills
Whether your aquariums feature freshwater or saltwater fish, the Aquatic Experience Chicago brings all of them together (plus an exclusive Live Shark Encounter) this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 North Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10-$30 daily ticket; $25 daily family pass; $99 weekend pass; Kids ages 5 and under admitted free. (847) 303-4100 or aquaticexperience.org. 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Arts and crafts on parade
Browse through 175 booths of items, including jewelry, country decor, artwork, holiday crafts and more at the Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts at the DuPage Expo, 4050 North Ave., St. Charles. Admission is $3. Visit stepbysteppromotions.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Antiques aplenty
The Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot-Machine & Jukebox Show returns for its 34th year this weekend at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $50 three-day admission; $7 daily admission for Saturday and Sunday. (630) 584-6300 or chicagolandshow.com. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
'The Nutcracker'
See a new one-hour musical production for young audiences of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets are $15. Call (847) 634-0200 or visit marriotttheatre.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Weed Ladies' florals
The Weed Ladies, a local volunteer floral designing group, hosts its annual Winter Show and Sale with holiday floral arrangements, wreaths and swags in a variety of styles and sizes. It's at the historic Daniels House at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Many items are nature-themed, with dried grasses and flowers. Proceeds will benefit programming at Naper Settlement. Admission to the sale is free. For information, call (630) 305-5289. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Holiday bazaar
The DuPage County Historical Museum Guild hosts its 30th Annual Holiday Bazaar at the DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Guests can purchase everything from holiday ornaments and wreaths to scrapbooking cards and homemade crochet items. Another highlight is a performance by the vocal group Beyond Glee. Admission is free. Proceeds from sales will benefit the museum. (630) 510-4941 or dupagemuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
'Carl Sandburg in Elmhurst'
Get an up-close look at the life of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Carl Sandburg, and his life in suburban Elmhurst in the 1920s, at the new “Carl Sandburg in Elmhurst” exhibit at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. The exhibit features artifacts, rare photos and video footage. Free admission. Visit elmhursthistory.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and Sunday, Nov. 17
Puppet time!
“SNORF! The Saturday Afternoon Monster and Piggie/Comedy-Variety Show!” returns Saturday at the Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The family-friendly, puppet-centered show runs at 2 p.m. monthly on select Saturdays through March 22, 2014. See thesnorfshow.com. 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Classic 'Carol'
Larry Yando reprises his performance as Ebenezer Scrooge for the sixth time in Goodman Theatre's 36th annual production of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Previews begin Saturday at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 24. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Heroes, unite!
Adventure Stage Chicago hosts a combination fundraising gala and 10th anniversary celebration — See a Hero, Be a Hero — Saturday at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., Chicago. Tickets are $75 for adults and $35 for children for the event, which includes appetizers and beverages, a performance of Marco Ramirez “Six Stories Tall” and live music. See adventurestage.org for tickets. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
TBS' Byrne at Improv
Standup comedian Steve Byrne, a veteran of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Conan” and “The Tonight Show” and star of the TBS sitcom, “Sullivan & Son,” headlines the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $22. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Fall engagement
River North Dance Chicago returns for a hometown concert this weekend featuring world premieres by choreographers Ashley Roland, Kevin Iega Jeff and a Chicago premiere by Adam Barruch at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $30-$75. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
'The Heiress'
The Harper Ensemble Theatre Company showcases its production of the Tony Award-winning drama “The Heiress” in the Performing Arts Center (Building R) at Harper College, 1200 Algonquin Road, Palatine. The story focuses on society and status in 1850s New York, as the sheltered daughter of a doctor faces losing her inheritance when she is pursued by a gentleman. $12-$15. (847) 925-6100 or harpercollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
SUNDAY
Meet 'Emily Dickinson'
Actress Betsey Means of WomanLore stars as famed American poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) in the “I Dwell in Possibility: An Intimate Evening with Emily Dickinson” program at the Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Admission is $10 per person and is available at door only (cash or check). Visit prairiecrossing.com/bcbarn. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Mirror, mirror ...
After every enchanted mirror in the land tells an unlucky princess that her true love has died, she takes matters into her own hands and tries to get him back, upending the natural order in the somewhat family-friendly, fairy tale musical “The Dead Prince,” with book music and lyrics by Emily Schwartz. Paul Holmquist directs Strange Tree Group's world premiere in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Previews begin Sunday at the Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St., Chicago; the show opens Nov. 22. See strangetree.org for more information. 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17
Hot Blooded
Hear rock hits like “Jukebox Hero,” “Say You Will,” “Cold as Ice” and “I Want To Know What Love Is” when Foreigner performs Sunday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $70-$85. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Blues guitar
Enjoy some genuine blues when the Grammy Award-winning Robert Cray Band and special guest Gary Hoey perform Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Going Baroque
Music of the Baroque music director Jane Glover will make her Metropolitan Opera debut next month. In the mean time, catch her locally in the concert “Classical Vienna: Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. (847) 673-6300. $25-$75. baroque.org. 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17