Entertainment

Best bets: 'Toy Story 3' on ice

Posted January 18, 2011 10:00 pm

By Scott C. Morgan

Disney On Ice presents "Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3" at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont and later at the United Center in Chicago.

Infinity & beyond

Join up with cowboy Woody, space ranger Buzz Lightyear and more talking toys in a new super high-tech ice-skating extravaganza with huge set pieces and a sophisticated projection design when Disney on Ice presents “Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3” Jan. 26-30 at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, $15-$25 ($60-$75 VIP tickets); then Feb. 2-13 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, $15-$25 ($45-$60 VIP tickets). (800) 745-3000 or disneyonice.com.

Singing Seuss

Several stories penned by Dr. Seuss come to life in the 2000 Broadway musical “Seussical.” A special edition of the show aimed at schoolchildren plays at 9:30 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets cost $8-$10. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

Movie trailer guy

“The movie trailer guy” is just one of many vocal impressions by celebrated comedian Pablo Francisco, who returns this weekend to the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Showtimes are 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. Tickets cost $22-$24. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com.

Southern blues

Blues guitarist and vocalist Ruthie Foster teams up with songwriter/performer Eric Bibb for a concert called “Thanks for the Joy” at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $36; $34 seniors; $26 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

The hills are alive ...

Are you someone who is unashamed to sing along with “The Sound of Music”? Then join with your fellow musical brethren when the Genesee Theatre screens the 1965 Julie Andrews classic at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $6; $3 seniors/kids ages 12 and younger. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.

Dribble, dribble

Get ready to root for your home team when rival high school basketball teams compete in the 14th Annual High School Hoops Showdown, a triple-header Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Aurora Central Catholic takes on Marmion Academy at 4:30 p.m.; Lockport Township plays Schaumburg at 6:30; and Benet Academy goes up against Glenbard East at 8:30. Tickets cost $12; $10 students. Parking costs extra. (800) 745-3000 or searscentre.com.

Spaghetti Western

Wheeling native Deborah Voigt stars in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's centennial season production of “The Girl of the Golden West,” Puccini's 1910 opera set during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Catch Voigt with her Italian co-star Marcello Giordani at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, (eight more performances take place through Monday, Feb. 21) at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Tickets cost $33-$207. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600, or lyricopera.org.

Gershwin gal

Jazz singer Spider Saloff revives her acclaimed cabaret revue “The Memory of All That,” which celebrates the music of late American composer George Gershwin. Hear her at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at North Central College's Madden Theater, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $25. (630) 637-7469 or thearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Of outdoor interest

Try canoeing in an artificial lake or just ogle all the latest camping and hunting products at the 32nd annual America's Outdoor Show next week (2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 26-28; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15; free for kids ages 14 and younger. (847) 692-2222 or americasoutdoorshow.com.

Comedian Pablo Francisco headlines the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

The 32nd annual Americas Outdoor Show takes place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

Wheeling native Deborah Voigt performed as Minnie in Puccinis La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West) at the Metropolitan Opera. She reprises the role in a different production for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. COURTESY OF KEN HOWARD/METROPOLITAN OPERA

Jazz vocalist Spider Saloff is set to perform a Gershwin revue, The Memory of All That, at North Central Colleges Madden Theater in Naperville.

Blues guitarist and vocalist Ruthie Foster teams up with Eric Bibb for Thanks for the Joy at College of DuPages McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

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