Best bets: Shen Yun dazzles at Rosemont Theatre, Jamie Kennedy hits the Improv
Chinese culture
The traveling Chinese music and dance spectacular Shen Yun returns for a run of performances starting Thursday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $80-$200. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 16; 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17
Tolstoy tragedy
The Joffrey Ballet presents “Anna Karenina,” featuring choreography by Yuri Possokhov and an original score by composer Ilya Demutsky. This world premiere collaboration with The Australian Ballet arrives locally for 10 performances starting Wednesday at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $35-$199. (312) 341-2300 or joffrey.org. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, Friday, Feb. 15, Thursday, Feb. 21, and Friday, Feb. 22; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 and 23; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 and 24
Royal crisis
Mark Gatiss (“Sherlock,” “The Favourite”) recently starred in the title role “The Madness of George III” for Nottingham Playhouse in England. NT Live filmed this revival of Alan Bennett's acclaimed historical drama, and it screens on Thursday and Sunday, Feb. 17, at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $24. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, and noon Sunday, Feb. 17
'Scream' with laughter
Actor, writer and comedian Jamie Kennedy (“Scream”) returns to perform a series of standup sets starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27-$65 on Feb. 14; $27 with a two-item purchase for other performances. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17