Best Bets: Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings New Year's Eve laughs to the Allstate Arena

Posted December 28, 2021 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his "Seriously!?" tour to the Allstate Arena on Friday, Dec. 31. Associated Press, 2017

Such characters!

Find out the opinions of puppets on various topics when star ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham performs his "Seriously!?" tour at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $53; $25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31

Jessica "Jess Hilarious" Moore is on the bill for the "Chi Town Comedy Countdown" this weekend at McCormick Place's Arie Crown Theater. Associated Press, 2018

Comedy celebration

Catch up with comedians DeRay Davis, Jess Hilarious, Rick Smiley and more at the "Chi Town Comedy Countdown" at McCormick Place's Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $59-$125. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 1

CANCELED - Bubble Bash

The DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville has canceled Bubble Bash - A Family-Friendly New Year's Eve, which was to take place Friday, Dec. 31.

Baritone Ted Allen Pickell is the guest soloist with the New Philharmonic's "New Year's Eve Concert" on Friday, Dec. 31. Courtesy of McAninch Arts Center

Symphonic countdown

The New Philharmonic revives its annual "New Year's Eve Concert" both in person and online with guest baritone Ted Allen Pickell at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $67; $65 seniors; $77 gold circle ticket at 8:30 p.m.; $67 streaming option per household. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 1:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31

Winter wonderment

There are a few days left - Jan. 6-8 - that aren't sold out (as of press time) so you can marvel at the outdoor spectacle "Illumination: Tree Lights" at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $19 for adults; $13 for kids 2-17; free for kids younger than 2. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 4:30-9 p.m. nightly through Jan. 8

Fab 2021 farewell

Usher out 2021 with The Beatles's albums "A Hard Day's Night" and "Let It Be" as performed by the tribute band American English at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $37-$50. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31

Lakeside festivities

Spend New Year on the Pier with fireworks, dancing, champagne and more in the Navy Pier AON Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $105-$225; $1,595 VIP lounge table for 6; $2,950 VIP table for more than 12. For ages 21 or older. (800) 595-7437 or navypier.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31

Isabel Leonard stars in the title role of "Cinderella" in a Metropolitan Opera Live in HD cinema screening. Courtesy of Jonathan Tichler, Metropolitan Opera

Storybook opera

Introduce kids to the opera with "Cinderella," a condensed, English-language adaptation of Massenet's 1899 work courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series. A live simulcast is on Saturday, with a taped encore on Wednesday at select participating cinemas. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $21-$28. For locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com. Live: 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1; taped: 1 or 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5

Charles Ross stars in "One-Man Star Wars Trilogy" at the Apollo Theater Chicago. Courtesy of Dean Kalyan, In Stride Entertainment

One-man 'Force'

Canadian actor Charles Ross takes on epic sci-fi storytelling by himself with the return of the "One-Man Star Wars Trilogy" for four performances starting Wednesday at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $19.50-$39.50. (773) 935-6100 or apollochicago.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 5-8

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