Weekend picks: Rob Schneider brings comedy to Schaumburg

Schneider in Schaumburg

Catch comedian Rob Schneider (“Deuce Bigalow,” “The Hot Chick”) returning to standup this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

FRIDAY

Couture creations

Artist Carrie Ann Schumacher creates couture dresses to explore romantic novel notions in the exhibit “Build Her a Myth” starting today with an evening reception at North Central College's Schoenherr Art Gallery, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Naperville. Free. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 to 8 p.m. opening reception Friday, Dec. 12; gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; through Feb. 1

Solstice spectacle

Get an eyeful of theatrical spectacle with zany performers and creative moving contraptions as part of Redmoon Theater's 16th Annual Redmoon Winter Pageant starting this weekend at Redmoon Central, 2120 S. Jefferson St. Chicago. $25; $15 kids; $100-$150 New Year's Eve VIP event. (312) 850-8440 ext. 123 or redmoon.org. 7 p.m. Friday (no show Dec. 26); 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31

Babalu bash

If you missed the Chicago run of “I Love Lucy Live On Stage” during the 2012-13 season, then catch the one-week return of the national touring show that re-enacts a studio taping day with Desilu Productions starting Tuesday at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $22-$82. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

Keane comic

If you've loved comedian Patrick Keane from his TV appearances on “Live at Gotham” or “Tony Rock Project,” then catch him live in a weekend run starting on Thursday at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20 plus a two-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

Fun with 'Fluffy'

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias heads to the Rosemont Theatre for four performances of his “Unity Through Laughter World Tour,” starting Thursday at 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $30-$65. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14

SATURDAY

Lots of Legos

Cantigny Park hosts its 13th Annual Lego Train Show, featuring Lego creations by members of the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club. Show takes place in the visitors center at Cantigny, at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Admission is free; $5 parking fee. Guests who bring in a new unwrapped toy for donation to the Marine Toys for Tots in visitors center will have the parking fee waived. cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14

'The Grinch'

See a screening of the 2000 film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. The film stars Jim Carrey as the Christmas-hating Grinch, who plots to steal the holiday and all of its trimmings from the Whos in Whoville. Rated-PG. Free. Guests can meet Santa Claus before the screening. classiccinemas.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Doors open at 9 a.m.

'Frozen' fans

Fans of Disney's 2013 animated family film “Frozen” are invited to take part in a day of activities at the Frozen-mania event at Sprout Kids, 644 Central Ave., and at Beanstalk Toyland and Bookstore, 654 Central Ave., in downtown Highland Park. Events include a fashion show hosted by the “Frozen” character Elsa, face painting, screenings of the film, visits with Sven the reindeer, crafts, treats and more. Guests can come dressed as their favorite “Frozen” character. Free. For information, call Sprout Kids at (847) 780-4827 or Beanstalk Toyland & Bookstore at (847) 432-8000. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

Clara's dream

Dance guest artists join an ensemble of more than 100 performers for Dancenter North's returning annual production of “Magic of the Nutcracker,” playing this Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$36. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

Hops happening

Sample all kinds of craft brews while also seeing Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling at the Beer Fest Beat Down this Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena. $35 general admission; $60 VIP; $10 designated driver. (888) 732-7784 beerfestchicago.com or searscentre.com. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

Symphonic holiday

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra teams up with the Elgin Master Chorale, the Elgin Children's Chorus and the Midwest Dance Collective for a series of Magical Holiday Concerts this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$45. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

'The Velveteen Rabbit'

The Kirk Players present “The Velveteen Rabbit” at Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church, 1500 W. Hawley St., Mundelein. The production, based on the classic tale by Margery Williams, features participation games for kids. $10 adults; $5 children ages 12 and younger. kirkplayers.org. Noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

Living Nativity

The community is invited to a live presentation of the story of the birth of Jesus at the 15th Annual Living Nativity at Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine. Christmas hymns and live animals are part of the production. Following the show, youngsters will be invited to meet the animals, and all guests can snack on cookies, hot cocoa and hot cider. Free. (847) 397-4372. 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

Opera crossover

Italian singer Andrea Bocelli returns to Rosemont for another concert tour accompanied by the Bella Musica Orchestra with guest artists Heather Headley and soprano Maria Aleida on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $75-$375. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13

SUNDAY

All that jazz

The Elk Grove High School Jazz Ensemble joins the Jazz Consortium Big Band for a concert at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10. $5 for students ages 17 and younger. Reservations are recommended. (847) 358-9150, Ext. 0. durtynellies.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

'Blue Nativity'

Quest Theatre Ensemble tells the story of Christmas and the birth of Jesus with large-scale puppets and live music in the 13th annual production of “Blue Nativity” at Christ Community Mennonite Church, 888 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Free admission; donations welcome. For full schedule of shows, call (312) 458-0895 or visit questensemble.org. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

Doobie brother

Former Doobie brother Michael McDonald headlines “This Christmas — An Evening of Holiday and Hits” at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $37.50-$97.50. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14