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Weekend picks: Brad Garrett signs books in Naperville

Everybody loves Brad

Actor and comedian Brad Garrett introduces his new book, "When the Balls Drop," at Hollywood Palms Theater, 352 S. Route 59, Naperville. Tickets are included with the purchase of the author's new book from Anderson's at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 7 p.m. Friday, May 8

Madness in movement

The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg returns to present the Chicago premiere of choreographer Boris Eifman's expressionist ballet "Up & Down" featuring the music of Berg, Gershwin and Schubert this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$95. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10

Blanche ballet

Scottish Ballet presents the Chicago premiere of its adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$95. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9

Standup guy

If you love comedian Nick Griffin from his TV appearances on "The Late Show With David Letterman" or "Conan," then check out his remaining performances this weekend at the Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Classic jazz

Direct from New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs its traditional take on Dixieland jazz at Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 Benton Ave., Naperville. $20-$40. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Friday, May 8

Northlight premiere

Northlight Theatre concludes its 40th anniversary season with the world premiere of "Shining Lives: A Musical," based on Melanie Marnich's 2008 play "These Shining Lives," which the theater commissioned. It's based on the true story of the young women who during the 1920s painted watch dials for an Ottawa watch factory, then succumbed to the debilitating effects of radium poisoning. Andre Pluess and Amanda Dehnert composed the score for the show, which is directed by Jessica Thebus, who also penned the book and lyrics. See it at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens May 15. $25-$78. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8

'Comedian' comedian

Orny Adams, a comedian prominently featured in Jerry Seinfeld's documentary "Comedian," returns to perform standup at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, May 8; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 9; and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 10

Hits of yesteryear

Give your mom the gift of music this Mother's Day weekend by taking her to see the singing quartet Under the Streetlamp (with opening act Gentleman's Rule in Waukegan) at either of these locations: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com, $20-$40; then at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts, $55. 8 p.m. Friday, May 8, in Waukegan, and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10, in Elgin

Ministry of metal

Al Jourgensen has been making music as Ministry for nearly 35 years (with a short break from 2008 to 2011). While the musical genre has shifted and the cast of characters has rotated and fallen away, Ministry remains a draw on the metal scene. Catch Jourgensen as he brings the band back to Chicago, its old stamping grounds, on its "From Beer to EternaTour" at House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets start at $83.34. (312) 923-2000, houseofblues.com or livenation.com. 9 p.m. Friday, May 8

Choo! Choo!

"Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure" brings the British children's TV series to life for two shows on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $18.50-$45. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10

A visit to Neverland

Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up, faces off with Captain Hook in the magical world of Neverland when AlphaBet Soup Productions presents "Peter Pan and the Pirates" in Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $10 general seating. (630) 932-1555 or absproductions.com. 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Old Time Barn Dance

Put on your dancing shoes and head to the Old Time Barn Dance at the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. The Plank Road String Band provides music, while a caller guides guests through the dances. No dancing experience is necessary. The Plank Road Folk Music Society hosts this event featuring dancing and music for all ages. $5. (630) 969-9720 or twowaystreet.org. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., dancing starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Symphonic Spanish

Virtuoso guitarist Denis Azabagic teams up with the DuPage Symphony for the concert "Iberian Inspirations" featuring Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" and Manuel de Falla's "The Three Cornered Hat" at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $35; $31 seniors; $17 students. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Metal men

Rock out to 1980s masters of heavy metal when Quiet Riot, Y&T and Hellion share a concert bill at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $19-$59. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9

G&S cabaret

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players perform cabaret takes on comic operettas like "The Mikado," "H.M.S. Pinafore" and more in the touring revue "A Little Twist" this weekend at two locations: College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets, $38; $37 seniors; $15 students; then at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org, $26-$28. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9, in Grayslake, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10, in Schaumburg

'Godspell' revived

Theatre Nebula revives "Godspell," the musical by composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and book writer John-Michael Tebelak inspired by parables from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and Christ's last days. Mark Mahallak directs and choreographs the production, which marks the company's 16th season. It opens at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. $12-$22. (847) 202-5222 or theatrenebula.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Rock tribute

The Bronx Wanderers performs a Mother's Day Sock Hop concert of rock tribute hits at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $19-$35. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, May 10

Under the Streetlamp performs Mother's Day weekend at two venues: the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan Friday and Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre Saturday and Sunday. Courtesy of Paul Natkin
Comedian Nick Griffin performs Friday and Saturday at Zanies in Rosemont.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players perform "I've Got a Little Twist" in Grayslake Saturday and Schaumburg Sunday.
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