Entertainment

Best Bets: Soprano from St. Charles stars in Lyric Opera's 'Queen of Spades'

Posted February 11, 2020 10:00 pm

By Scott C. Morgan

Former St. Charles resident and Berwyn native Sondra Radvanovsky stars as Lisa in Tchaikovsky's “The Queen of Spades” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Courtesy of Paola Kudacki/Metropolitan Opera

Gambling obsession

Tchaikovsky's “The Queen of Spades” returns to the repertory of the Lyric Opera of Chicago with former St. Charles resident and soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and tenor Brandon Jovanovich of Sycamore, Illinois, in starring roles. The classic 1890 tragedy plays five performances starting Saturday at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in Russian with projected English translations. $39-$319. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19; 2 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday, Feb. 23, 26 and March 1

Cabaret by Klea

Klea Blackhurst won rave reviews for her performances in “Gypsy” and “Hazel: A Musical Maid in America” at Drury Lane Theatre. See Blackhurst in a more intimate setting when she performs two cabaret concerts this weekend at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $70-$80 plus a $25 food and beverage minimum. (630) 530-0111 or drurylanetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15

Theatrical fundraiser

As part of worldwide events to promote women's safety, Eve Ensler's global hit play “The Vagina Monologues” returns this weekend at Oakton Community College's Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $12; $8 students and seniors (proceeds go to Northwest CASA and Apna Ghar to provide services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence). Suggested for mature audiences. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15

Big wheels

See massive vehicles crush smaller cars and other stunts when “Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live” returns this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $29-$44; $10 kids ages 12 and under. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com. 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16

Symphonic romance

Hear a mix of Mozart and show tunes when the Lake Forest Symphony performs “Romance & Broadway” concerts with clarinet soloist Kathy Pirtle and conductor Vladimir Kulenovic this weekend at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. $15-$49. (847) 295-2135 or lakeforestsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16

Mexican folk

Experience regional artistic traditions from Mexico when Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano performs on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $59. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16

Epic hair

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's Family Movie Jamboree series continues with “Tangled.” See Disney's 2010 animated feature adaptation of “Rapunzel” with pre-screening family activities on Saturday at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Free admission, but reservations requested. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 9 a.m. lobby activities and 10 a.m. movie screening Saturday, Feb. 15

Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" returns to the repertory of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The new-to-Chicago production was originally directed by Richard Jones. Courtesy of Felix Sanchez/Houston Grand Opera

Former St. Charles resident Sondra Radvanovsky, seen here in the title role of "Tosca" at The Metropolitan Opera, sings the role of Lisa in Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Associated Press, 2011

Tchaikovsky's tragedy "The Queen of Spades" returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago in a new-to-Chicago production that was originally directed by Richard Jones. Courtesy of Michael Cooper/Canadian Opera Company

Former St. Charles resident Sondra Radvanovsky stars as the tragic heroine Lisa in Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" for five performances at the Lyric Opera of Chicago starting Saturday, Feb. 15. Courtesy of Andrew Eccles

Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México comes to College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of Silvia Lozano/Columbia Artists

Vladimir Kulenovic conducts the Lake Forest Symphony for the concert "Romance and Broadway" at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16.

"Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live!" is on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and 16, at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Associated Press, 2014

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights screens the Disney animated film "Tangled." Courtesy of Disney

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