Weekend picks: Laugh it up with 'Whose Line' comics in Elgin

Keep 'em laughing

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood may not be household names, but they're among the top improv comedians working today, and they're instantly recognizable from the hit TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Capitalizing on their success, Mochrie and Sherwood have developed a live touring show called “An Evening With Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood,” which takes to the stage Friday at Elgin's Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets cost $20 to $65. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14

Creatures of the Night

Brookfield Zoo invites guests of all ages to have some spooky fun at its Creatures of the Night event at the zoo, at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. For older children and adults, the “The Trail of Terror — Underneath” offers an indoor winding pathway, featuring scary creatures galore. Ride the Haunted Tram to see spooky scenes, with monsters and goblins right beside the moving trams. For younger children, not-so-scary activities include pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, a monster Mash Dance Party and more. Activities are free (except for pumpkin carving and rides on carousel) with paid $8-$12 general zoo admission. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 14-16

Keith Urban comes to town

Country superstar Keith Urban takes to the Allstate Arena stage with his “Get Closer 2011 World Tour” on Friday. Tickets cost $25-$59.50 for the show at 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14

Ghost story

Fox Valley Repertory artistic director John Gawlik directs the company's revival of the chilling thriller “The Woman in Black.” Stephen Malatratt's adaptation of Susan Hill's novel centers on a London lawyer who hires an actor to help him tell of the horror he experienced while ironing out the will for an elderly recluse. Ron Rains and Alex Hugh Brown star in the two-hander being stage at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14; runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30

Symphonic Sinatra

Crooner Steve Lippa teams up with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the concert “Simply Sinatra,” which celebrates songs sung by Frank Sinatra this weekend at two locations: the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $36-$48, then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$74. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in Schaumburg; 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in Elgin

Jazz-rock fusion

The genre-blurring music of the late Bill Chase will be celebrated when a retooled version of his band, Chase, plays at the Montrose Room, located inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel at 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, this weekend. The current band, which features several original members, will explore its trumpet-heavy mix of rock and jazz, an approach that won the group a sizable following in the 1970s. $25, $40. Go to montroseroom.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14

Soapy speed

Kids between the ages of 7 to 17 can compete in the all-American Soap Box Derby Association this weekend at the corner of Diehl and Frontenac Road in Naperville. $10 first-time racers; $35 per veteran racers. (630) 841-8832 or chicagosoapboxderby.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16

Long Grove's Oktoberfest

The annual Long Grove Oktoberfest features a variety of German fare, music and dancing. Other highlights include a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, hayrides, pumpkin decorating and other family activities on Robert Parker Coffin Road in downtown Long Grove. Free admission and parking. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16

Kid stuff

Singer/songwriter Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players play a concert of funny kids' pop tunes this Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $12. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

CROCtoberfest

Learn about one of the oldest animal families on the planet — the crocodilians — at CROCtoberfest. This family event features educational programs about and up-close visits with live alligators, crocodiles and caiman in Elawa Farm and hay barn at the Wildlife Discovery Center, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest. An American alligator named Bubba is a special guest at the event. Other highlights include kid-friendly activities like a coloring contest, pumpkins for purchase and more. Free, but a $5 donation is requested. Proceeds will help benefit wildlife organizations. (847) 615-4388. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Cars and comics

Stock up on Matchbox cars, comics, collectible sports cards and more at the Collectible Show at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Free admission. For information, email collectables2@yahoo.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Orchids overall

The Illinois Orchid society show off Fantastic Fall Orchids in a special sale and display this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission; $20 parking per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16

Up in the air

If you were amazed by juggler Jason Huneke during his celebrated TV turn on “America's Got Talent,” then catch him live in “Juggling Fun With Jason” Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $12; $10 kids ages 12 and younger. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Haunted Trail and Bonfire

Get into the spirit of autumn during a walk along the Haunted Trail, plus enjoy wagon rides through McDonald Woods, kids' activities including a costume contest at 3:30 p.m., games, face painting and a moonwalk, storytelling by Paddy Lynn, food, entertainment, and a bonfire at dusk at the Haunted Trail and Bonfire. It all takes place at Forest View Park, Forest View Road, Lindenhurst. Admission is free; the haunted trail is $1; admission to the hayride is a canned food donation. (847) 356-6011 or lindenhurstparks.org. 3 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Breakout band

The Tony Award-winning marching band stage spectacular “Blast!” returns to the area with, you guessed it, plenty of fanfare on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $38-$48. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Haunted Harvest

Lambs Farm gets into the Halloween spirit with its annual Haunted Harvest. Graveyard golf, an enchanted carousel and the Train of Terror are just a few of the scary activities available at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, I-94 at Route 176, Libertyville. All-night pass is $15 per person. Ages 3 and younger admitted free with purchase of an adult pass. Individual activity pricing is also available. Call (847) 990-3761 or visit lambsfarm.org. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Vampire viewing

Original cast members of the award-winning TV series “Mystery Science Theater 3000” turn their attention two a horror double feature called “Cinematic Titanic” at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $43 individual feature; $66 double feature. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu. Screening of “Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks” at 7:30 p.m. and “Blood Vampires” at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Still surfin'

The Beach Boys bring their classic American rock 'n' roll to North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton, Naperville. The current lineup includes two members from the group's 1960s heyday — Mike Love (vocals) and Bruce Johnston (vocals, keyboards). $75-$95. Go to northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16

Mexican dancing

Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl's “Uniendo Fronteras” concludes the Raue Center for the Arts' celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with Mexican Folkloric dance and music on Saturday at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $9-$15. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15