Best bets: 'Jurassic World' at Rosemont's Allstate; Sebastian Maniscalco plays Chicago's United Center
Dino spectacular
Massive animatronic dinosaurs stomp around to terrify performers in the local premiere of the “Jurassic World Live Tour” this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $15-$250. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, and 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3
Literary dance
Ballet 5:8 finds inspiration from C.S. Lewis' 1945 novel “The Great Divorce” for the contemporary story ballet “The Space in Between” at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel, 501 College Ave., Wheaton. $20; $10 students/kids. (630) 752-5010 or wheaton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Lyric premiere
The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the Windy City premiere of composer Jake Heggie and librettist Terrence McNally's “Dead Man Walking.” This 2000 opera, inspired by Sister Helen Prejean's memoir about being a spiritual adviser to death-row inmates, plays for six performances only starting Saturday at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $39-$279. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 and 16; 2 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday, Nov. 10 and 13; and 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 6 and 22
Inspiration from elsewhere
Violinist Adele Anthony joins with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the concerts “Bolero! Chabrier, Edwards & Ravel.” This concert, featuring works by composers inspired by other countries, plays at two locations: first this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, $35-$65, $10 youth; then on Monday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago, $40-$60. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, in Elgin and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in Chicago
Mouthy Maniscalco
See Arlington Heights native Sebastian Maniscalco command an arena-sized comedy crowd with his “You Bother Me Tour” at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $39-$350. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Beards and 'Legs'
The iconic long-bearded rock group ZZ Top brings its “50th Anniversary Tour” with special guest Marquise Knox to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $99-$400. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Difficult history
America's history of slavery is explored in the touring musical “1619: The Journey of a People” at Elmhurst College's Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 208 W. Alexander Blvd., Elmhurst. Free, but reservations are required. (630) 617-5186 or elmhurst.edu. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7
Internet aquarium
Tickets are scarce for the area touring debut of “Baby Shark Live!” See the stage adaptation of the catchy internet animated sensation on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $45-$75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 (tickets also available for the show's return on Sunday, May 3)