Best Bets: Jay Leno, Mannheim Steamroller, John Mulaney and more
Actor, author, car aficionado and comedian Jay Leno takes the stage at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., for a night of laughs in Waukegan. $49-$119. geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15
Ballet Chicago brings its traditional, family-friendly “Nutcracker” to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $15-$85. balletchicago.org/nutcracker. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
The Newberry Consort performs Christmas music that would have been performed during the 15th to 18th centuries in Peru, Guatemala, Spain and other Latin American countries as part of its “Latin American Christmas” concerts. $25, $10 for students with ID. newberryconsort.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Mother of the Americas Catholic Church, 2226 S. Whipple St., Chicago; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4220 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago
Rapper Travis Scott brings his record-breaking No. 1 album “UTOPIA” to Chicago’s United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., with his “UTOPIA Tour Presents Circus Maximus,” joined by Teezo Touchdown. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Cactus Jack Foundation, helping to uplift Houston youth in their educational and creative endeavors. Tickets start at $103. unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15
The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, debuts its new exhibition, “Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists From Japan,” featuring 40 works by 36 female artists who are pushing the limits of ceramics and clay but have been underrecognized for their contributions to the field, according to curator Janice Katz. $32, $26. artic.edu. Saturday, Dec. 16, through June 3, 2024
Also at the museum, the ongoing exhibition “David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive” covers six decades of the photographer’s career, much of which he spent documenting the realities of daily life in South Africa during its political upheavals, including apartheid. $32, $26. artic.edu. Runs through March 25, 2024
The Norris Cultural Arts Center’s “Saturday Night Lights” fall concert series concludes with a performance of standards, new music and holiday tunes by the 18-piece Pete Ellman Big Band at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St., St. Charles. $30. norrisculturalarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Buckle up when Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis rolls into town for a dynamic holiday performance of traditional carols and original Fresh Aire compositions (complete with a sparkling stage show) at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$95. rosemont.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Chicago a cappella presents “Holidays a cappella,” its annual program of seasonal music including classics such as “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” $38-$48. (773) 281-7820, ext. 1, or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at UMC, 20 Center St., Naperville, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
“Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker,” a jazz-centered interpretation of the classic ballet paying homage to the legendary Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, plays The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. Set in 1930s Manhattan, the story follows the nonconformist daughter of a wealthy Black family as she explores her dreamworld in Harlem’s Sugar Hill neighborhood. Tickets start at $44. auditoriumtheatre.org. Various times from Wednesday, Dec. 20, through Dec. 30
Dancenter North brings its dazzling spin on the classic Tchaikovsky holiday tradition for 35th anniversary performances of “The Magic of the Nutcracker” to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $18-$40. geneseetheatre.com/. 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21-22
Clever, self-deprecating and award-winning comedian (as well as former “Saturday Night Live” writer and Chicago native) John Mulaney takes the Rosemont Theatre stage, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, for two nights of hilarity next week. Tickets are nearly sold out for Thursday’s show, so a Friday show was added; seats are sparse for both. $77.50-$147.50. rosemont.com. 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21-22
Wayne Messmer, the voice of the Chicago Wolves, takes to the Hey Nonny stage, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, to mark the holidays with his “Wayne Messmer Christmas Show.” Seated tickets are sold out, but standing room general admission is still available for $15 at heynonny.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21