Weekend picks: Comedian Eddie Brill takes the spotlight
Comedy opener
Comedian Eddie Brill is famed for being a longtime audience warm-up act for the "Late Show with David Letterman." Catch him live this weekend at the Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (800) 745-3000 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
In combat
Chicago-based Rivendell Theatre performs its acclaimed "Women at War," a look at women in the armed forces, for one show only on Friday at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free, but reservations required. (847) 543-2963 or rivendelltheatre.org. 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13
Dancing queens
"Mamma Mia!" recently closed on Broadway after a 14-year run. Yet the international hit jukebox musical, featuring an all-ABBA score, lives on in other productions, including the national tour that returns to the Windy City for an eight-performance run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $15-$92. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15
Puppetry powerhouse
Ventriloquist Terry Fator, a well-known winner of "America's Got Talent," returns with his menagerie of characters tonight at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $79-$99. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13
Holiday Steamroller
For more than 40 years, Mannheim Steamroller has been synonymous with Christmas. With their rock-driven twists on classical holiday songs, the brainchild of composer Chip Davis has sold more than 28 million albums in the U.S. alone and entertained millions with spectacle-packed live performances. Be prepared to get a dose of holiday spirit when the Steamroller rolls into town for two performances Saturday at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets start at $59; (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Musical book
The Greg Duncan Latin Ensemble teams with Arlington Heights Memorial Library's One Book One Village selection of "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez for a concert on Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 122 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Free, but reservations required. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Blues salute
Singers Karen Marie Richardson, Angela Ingersoll and Katie Deal channel famous late entertainers in the revue "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues: A Salute to Ella, Judy & Patsy" on Saturday at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $34. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Impersonator extraordinaire
Laugh and marvel at Jeff Tracta as he performs more than 100 spot-on impressions of rock stars, actors and more on Saturday at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $39-$62. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Berlioz bash
The New Philharmonic delves deeply into the music of French composer Hector Berlioz with guest soloist Baird Dodge, principal second violin for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, this weekend at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15
Waltz time
The Lyric Opera of Chicago imports the Metropolitan Opera's 2014 production of Franz Lehar's romantic comic operetta "The Merry Widow" from 1905 starting Saturday. Soprano Renee Fleming stars in the title role with Nicole Cabell taking it over for the final three performances at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $20-$329. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. opening Saturday, Nov. 14; also 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17, 20, 23, 25, 28; 2 p.m. Dec. 3, 9, 11, 13
Lucky Boys, lucky you
For those of you who have been missing Lucky Boys Confusion, you're in luck. Sure, the guys from DuPage County have been doing more shows recently. But after a steady stream of new LBC music from 1998 to 2009, the last few years have felt particularly dry without something new. The wait for new tunes ends when LBC plays House of Blues Saturday. Come ready to catch a few of the new songs they've been working on, along with great music from local bands Lights Over Bridgeport, The Dead Hands and Nice Motor. The show is a 17-and-over gig, so be prepared to show your ID. House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $20; (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Aviation and the ambassadors
After traveling the world as cultural ambassadors for the U.S., coming back to Chicago might not be that big a deal for alternative rockers Filligar. But getting a chance to play with some of our hottest up-and-coming local musicians - and maybe catching up with some deep-dish pizza - is. Filligar is joined on the intimate Abbey Pub stage by pop rockers Glam Camp and Suburban Chicago's Got Talent finalists Aviation and the War, indie rockers from Wood Dale and Addison who continue to prove they have the chops to hang with the longer-established bands on the scene. This is a 17-and-over show. Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, Chicago. $12; (773) 478-4408 or abbeychicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Family affair
Musicians Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy team up with their kids to share stories, songs and dances in the concert "Vision from Cape Breton and Beyond: A Celtic Family Celebration" tonight at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $45-$52; $44-$51 seniors; $12-$15 students. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15
Upcoming concerts
Wheaton College Symphonic Band: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. $5-$10. Tickets available only at the door. Free for all students and Wheaton College ID holders. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu.
Fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy with "Visions of Cape Breton and Beyond" concert: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $50-$65. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu.
Thinner Teed, The Ars Nova, Zombie Manana: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Rock, funk. $5. tonicroom.ticketfly.com.
Echoes of Pompeii with "A Night of Pink Floyd": 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock; Pink Floyd tribute. $15-$29. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
Al Scorch, Charlie Parr: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, in Sidebar at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Folk, blues and more. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Pistol Pete Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Nick Lynch: 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Cadillac Ranch, 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett. Country, rock. (630) 830-7200 or cadranch.com.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis: 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $59-$69. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.
Wild Adriatic band and acoustic soloist Marty Casey at John G. Breault Memorial Concert: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Fundraiser in memory of educator John G. Breault who had a 35-year career as teacher and guidance counselor at William Fremd High School in Palatine. Breault died in 2010. The entrance fee of $25 includes the concert and a donation toward the John G. Breault Fremd High School Memorial Scholarship fund. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Opus Choral Ensemble with "Musicks Empire" concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Community Presbyterian Church, 407 N. Main St. (Route 83), Mount Prospect. Selections from American and British composers. $10. Tickets available at the door; cash or check only. opuschoralensemble.com.
Johnny Rivers: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$99. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
Kathy Sparrenberger in "Viva La Diva" concert: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Gorton Center, 400 E Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Vocalist performs hits from artists including Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Karen Carpenter and others. $30. (847) 234-6060 or gortoncenter.org.
Paul Kaye: 8 p.m. Saturday. Nov. 14, Acorn Coffeehouse, 216 N. Main St., Wheaton. Blues guitar. $10. (708) 705-8669 or acorncoffeehouse.com.
Lucky Boys Confusion, Lights Over Bridgeport, The Dead Hands, Nice Motor: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Alternative rock. $20; (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Filligar, Glam Camp, Aviation and the War: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, Chicago. Alternative, indie rock. $12; (773) 478-4408 or abbeychicago.com.
Omar Coleman Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Chicago style harmonica blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Elmhurst College Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women's Chorus with a Fall Concert: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in college's Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Free and open to the public. (630) 617-3515 or elmhurst.edu.
Elgin Master Chorale: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Elgin Community College Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, Elgin. Classical and more. $20-$25. (847) 622-0300 or elginmasterchorale.org.
Ars Antigua at Early Music Series: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Admission is $20 for adults and is available at the door only via cash or check (no credit cards). Children under age 16 are free. (847) 548-4062 or libertyprairie.org.
North Suburban Wind Ensemble's Fall Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Libertyville High School Auditorium, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. Classical and more. Tickets available at door for $5. Visit northsuburbanwindsensemble.com.
Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and the Ludwig Spohr String Quartet with "Romantic Vienna" concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, at Glenbrook North High School, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Classical; features music from Franz Schubert and Louis Spohr. $30-50 for adults, $8 for children and students. (847) 272-0755 or northbrooksymphony.org.
Joel Mabus: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Fatman Bowl, 13860 Rockland Road, Green Oaks. Folk, jazz and more. $12 for nonmembers; $10 for members and seniors; $5 for teens (suggested donation). For reservations, call (847) 602-8882. Visit thelakecountyfolkclub.org.
Toadies, In the Whale, AM Taxi acoustic: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Double Door, 1551 N. Damen, Chicago. Rock. $30 general admission, $40 VIP. doubledoor.com.
The Brian Setzer Orchestra's 12th Annual Christmas Rocks Tour: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $34.50-$94.50. 800-982-2787 or ticketmaster.com or geneseetheatre.com.
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra with "Fandango: Dueling Harpsichords": 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31 St., Oak Brook. Classical. $7-$25. (630) 941-0202 or elmhurstsymphony.org.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.