Best bets: 'Rent' returns with 20th anniversary tour
'Seasons of Love'
The 20th anniversary tour of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Rent" returns for another Windy City run now through Sunday, May 19, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $21.50-$156.50. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (also May 12); 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday (also May 15); through May 19
Hops to it
The Lake Zurich Craft Beer Festival features more than 100 brews from local and regional breweries this weekend at Henry J. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. $50 (includes souvenir glass and unlimited three-ounce samples); $10 designated driver. Must be 21 or older. (847) 438-5141 or lakezurich.org/528/Craft-Beer-Festival. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11
'MADtv' man
Fans of comedian and actor Aries Spears ("MADtv," "Family Guy") won't want to miss his run of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, May 10; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 11; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Operatic martyrs
Singers Isabel Leonard and Karita Mattila star in director John Dexter's classic 1977 production of Poulenc's history-inspired tragedy "Dialogues des Carmélites" ("Dialogues of the Carmelites"), which is screened as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series on Saturday and Wednesday. Sung in French with English subtitles. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. fathomevents.com. 11 a.m. live simulcast Saturday, May 11; 1 and 6:30 p.m. taped encore Wednesday, May 15
From the vine
Sample wines from around the world as part of the Binny's Food & Wine International event on Saturday at the Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $99 (includes two general admission tickets to the Arlington Million Day on Saturday, Aug. 10, high-end wine tasting, appetizers and more). (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11
Latin dance
New York-based Ballet Hispánico performs a repertory program as part of a national tour on Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49-$59. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11
Classical sketches
Award-winning jazz violinist Regina Carter is the guest soloist for the Chicago Sinfonietta concerts "Sound Sketch" featuring music of Elgar, Schiff and Montgomery at two locations: first on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $10-$62; then on Monday at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $24-$103. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in Chicago
Blocky creatures
Marvel at large animal sculptures made from millions of Lego pieces as part of the Brick Safari display starting Saturday at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. $21.95; $15.95 seniors and kids. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; from May 11 to Sunday, Sept. 29