Sunday picks: Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess' now at Lyric

Posted November 23, 2014 4:15 am

By Laura Milbrath Stewart and Scott C. Morgan

Jermaine Smith returns to play Sportin' Life in the American opera “Porgy and Best” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago for 13 performances between Nov. 17 to Dec. 20. Courtesy of Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago

Great Gershwin

“Porgy and Bess” is considered by many critics to be “The Great American Opera” thanks to its lush, jazz-influenced score by George Gershwin and the vernacular poetry of DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin's libretto. The masterwork returns to the repertory of the Lyric Opera of Chicago at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $20-$249. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Customized cars

Soak in the pride of people who customize their vehicles at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20. (847) 692-2220 or mcacn.com; tickets are available at eventbrite.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Chicago Toy & Game Fair

See thousands of toys and games from around the globe at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, in Festival Hall A at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Other event highlights include a “Frozen” parade, rides, stage events, the Illinois Yo-Yo Championship, a “Star Wars” luncheon and much more. General admission is $10 adults; $5 kids (ages 3-12). Kids under age 3 are free. Visit chitagfair.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

A mean one

Everyone's favorite Christmas curmudgeon is back in the Windy City to sing again in “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” which begins a limited touring run starting Thursday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$125. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

'The Devil is a Woman'

Watch the 1935 film “The Devil is a Woman,” starring legendary screen star Marlene Dietrich, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The film was directed by Josef Von Sternberg and is part of the theater's special “Sternberg & Dietrich” film series. $8. Visit musicboxtheatre.com. 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

'It's a Wonderful Life'

The Elgin Theatre Company presents the classic holiday production “It's a Wonderful Life” as a live radio play at the Kimball Street Theater, at the corner of Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, Elgin. This stage adaptation is based on Frank Capra's 1946 film, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. $12-$15. Call (847) 741-0532 or visit elgin-theatre.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Rockin' comedy

Oakton Community College features the rock 'n' roll musical comedy “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” on the stage of its Studio One Theater, at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. The musical focuses on the man who rose from a humble childhood to become the nation's seventh president. $8-$10; $6 for groups of 15 or more. (847) 635-1900. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Revived Harlem

The newly reconstituted Dance Theatre of Harlem makes a long-awaited return to the Auditorium Theatre after 16 years this Saturday for a holiday run at Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$95. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Jazz pianist

The College of Lake County presents jazz pianist, composer and arranger Matt Harris in a concert with the school's Monday Night Jazz Ensemble at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 N. Washington St., Grayslake. The CLC Tuesday Night Jazz Ensemble will also perform. Harris has starred with the big bands of Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson. $6-$7. Children under 18 are free (ticket required). (847) 543-2300 or visit clcillinois.edu/tickets. 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Arboretum aglow

The colorful and interactive nature nighttime display Illumination: Tree Lights returns for its second year at the Morton Arboretum with a new Symphony Woods section featuring routines synchronized to prerecorded music of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Experience it all at 4100 Lincoln Ave., Lisle. $17-$20; $11-$13 youths. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org. 5 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Monday, Jan. 5

See Tommy

If you loved comedian Tommy Davidson from his TV stints on “In Living Color” or “The Proud Family,” then don't miss him performing standup this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Illumination: Tree Lights blends nature and cutting-edge light technology at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Courtesy of Mike Hudson/Morton Arboretum

The Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22.

“Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” plays a limited engagement at the Chicago Theatre between Nov. 20 to 29.

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