Lifestyle

Best bets: 'Star Wars' concert, Dog Whisperer, Disney animation art

Posted November 30, 2009 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried appears at Zanies in St. Charles and Vernon Hills.

Symphonic 'Star Wars'

Fans who love John Williams' film scores to George Lucas' six "Star Wars" films won't want to miss "Star Wars: In Concert." This multimedia spectacular features a full orchestra, towering high-definition movie screens and actor Anthony Daniels (sans his C-3PO costume) narrating both Sunday performances. Arrive early to look at costumes and prop displays in the lobbies of the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $39.50-$89. (800) 745-3000. 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Dog whispering

"The Dog Whisperer" TV star Cesar Millan brings his informative "Packpower Tour" to help dog owners better understand their pets Friday night to the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $37.50-$148. (800) 745-3000. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4

Nutcracker of the week

A young girl helps a cursed Nutcracker prince to defeat the Rat King in the classic Tchaikovsky ballet "The Nutcracker." Schaumburg Dance Ensemble's production features more than 100 dancers at the Prairie Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $26; $18 seniors/students. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org.

7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays from Friday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 13

Oh, Gilbert!

If you've seen the film "The Aristocrats," then you know that comedian Gilbert Gottfried can be guaranteed to test the limits of off-color humor. See if he keeps up the funny work this weekend at Zanies at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342. Also at 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. (847) 549-6030. $25 plus two menu-item purchase. zanies.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, in St. Charles; 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Vernon Hills

Preschool pop

The hip preschooler TV show that also attracts parents (thanks to frequent pop star guest appearances) jumps from the small screen to the stage in "Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party in My City." Catch your favorite colorful kiddie creatures Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $23-$33. (800) 745-3000. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

A Disney 'Beauty'

Meet up with animation artist Toby Bluth and Broadway veteran Paige O'Hara (who provided the voice of Belle in the 1991 animated feature "Beauty and the Beast") for a special display of "Disney Animation Art Masterpieces" on Saturday at Schaumburg Town Square, 14 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. $39.95 for autograph session. (800) 650-2357. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Swedish Greetings

The Swedish American Children's Choir presents the 10th annual Swedish Christmas and St. Lucia Festival at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. Along with the concert, there's a Swedish Christmas Sweet Table and other Scandinavian items for sale. $14. $8 kids ages 6 to 12. (630) 414-9700. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Vocal band

See Chicago a cappella "Holidays a cappella: Holiday Favorites" at four different locations this season: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park, 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets are $35; $22-$28 seniors and $12 students. (773) 755-1628 or Chicagoacappella.org

Acoustic rockin'

Rocker Bryan Adams rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like "Summer of '69" and "Cuts Like a Knife." Now see Adams' acoustic "Bare Bones Tour" locally at two locations: the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com; and the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $33-$53. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 in Joliet; 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 in Waukegan

Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) narrates the multimedia orchestral tour of "Star Wars: In Concert." The tour is set to play the United Center.

Bryan Adams makes appearances at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet and at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

Elisa Ruscitti and Frank Getz danced a previous edition of Schaumburg Dance Ensemble's "The Nutcracker"

Chicago a cappella's "Holidays a cappella: Holiday Favorites" is performed in Naperville, Chicago, Oak Park and Evanston.

Broadway veteran Paige O'Hara makes a paid-autograph signing appearance at a display of "Disney Animation Art Masterpieces" on Saturday at Schaumburg Town Square.

Cesar Millan appears at the Rosemont Theatre. Associated Press file

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