Things to do April 26-May 2: Tulip fests, Long Grove Craft Beer Fest, Natasha Leggero, Arbor Day events and more
Ongoing
Midwest Tulip Fest: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday through May 19 at Kuipers Family Farm on Watson Road, Maple Park. See nearly 500,000 tulip bulbs across seven acres of the farm. Admission includes access to featured attractions on the FunFarm and live music on the weekends. $15.99 weekdays and $17.99 weekends in advance; additional $2 at the gate. Free for kids 2 and younger. kuipersfamilyfarm.com.
Richardson Farm Tulip Festival: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. See about a million tulip blooms, plus thousands of daffodils. Live music and food trucks on weekends. One free tulip with admission. $16 Tuesdays through Fridays; $19 for ages 13 and older, $16 for kids 4-12 on Saturdays and Sundays; free for kids 3 and younger. richardsonfarm.com.
Starts before Friday
Arbor Day Plant Sale: 1-4 p.m. Thursday, April 25, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Buy from thousands of carefully chosen plants. Plant Geniuses can answer questions and suggest plants. $47 for early access Thursday morning; $32 for regular access Thursday afternoon through Saturday (includes Arboretum admission and $15 credit voucher). mortonarb.org.
Natasha Leggero: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, at the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Actress and comedian Natasha Leggero performs. $31-$42. improv.com/chicago.
The Joffrey Ballet presents “Midsummer Night’s Dream”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, April 25-May 5, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. Set during the traditional Scandinavian summer solstice festival, dancers celebrate a day of revelry and romance under the maypole, which soon unravels into an otherworldly dream. $36-$200. joffrey.org.
Friday, April 26
40th Annual Arbor Day Celebration: 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Rand Berkley Park, 1 W. Waverly Road, Arlington Heights. Park district and village dignitaries deliver remarks on the importance of trees to the community. The Chicago Futabakai Japanese School will perform a celebration of the Cherry Blossom. Light refreshments available. The Arbor Day Drawing Contest winners will be announced and their artwork will be on display. ahpd.org.
C2E2, Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago. Pop culture convention to celebrate comics, cosplay, gaming, wrestling, anime and more. $70 Friday; $80 Sunday; Saturday is sold out. c2e2.com.
Mike Birbiglia’s “Please Stop the Ride”: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Comedy. $49-$69. chicagotheatre.com.
Isidore Quartet: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago. Isidore Quartet performs classics and new music. $10-$40. uchicago.edu.
Laura Ortman’s “Smoke Rings Shimmers Endless Blur”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Laura Ortman performs two evenings of live solo multimedia concerts. $10-$30. visit.mcachicago.org.
Michael Carbonaro: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Center Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $39-$184. northshorecenter.org.
Pianist Sergei Babayan in Recital: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Celebrated Armenian American pianist Sergei Babayan will open the 50th anniversary Bach Week Festival with an inventive, wide-ranging recital program that includes the works of J.S. Bach. $15-$50. bachweek.org/2024-festival.
The Arcadian Wild with Park Hills Circle: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Indie folk/pop. $20-$30. evanstonspace.com.
Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $59-$159. rosemont.com/allstate.
Ben Paterson and Joel Paterson: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Studio5, 1934 Dempster St., Evanston. Pianist Ben Paterson and guitarist Joel Paterson perform jazz. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB. $25-$35. studio5.dance.
Firehouse with special guest Steelheart: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Metal. $49-$89. desplainestheatre.com.
LP Vinyl’s Escape and Anthem’s Grand Illusion: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Celebrate the songs of Journey and Styx with tribute bands Escape and Anthem’s Grand Illusion. $19-$39. arcadalive.com.
Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Perpetual Flame Ministries presents Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter with David Eugene Edwards. $50. thaliahallchicago.com.
STRFKR with Ruth Radelet: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at The Salt Shed Indoors, 1357 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. $30-$75. saltshedchicago.com.
“Super Freak: The Rick James Story”: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Presented by Je'Caryous Johnson and Ty James. $49.75-$129.75. ariecrown.com.
Victor Manuelle: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Salsa. $61-$161. rosemont.com/theatre.
Saturday, April 27
Uudam Mongol, The Music of Mongolia: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. This performance by the Giingoo Music Studio features the sounds of the Morin Khuur, the iconic horse-headed fiddle. Register. glenviewpl.org.
Once Upon a Time Princess Fest: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake. $25-$35 per child; adult supervision required. crystallakeparks.org.
Dr. Mark & the Sutures: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Port Clinton Square, downtown Highland Park. Free. portclintonsquare.com.
Long Grove Craft Beer Fest: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Brother’s Field, 340 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Ticket includes a taster glass, unlimited samples and live music by Fox Crossing Stringband. 21 and over. $60, designated driver tickets $10. longgrove.org/festival/craftbeerfest.
Frühlingsfest: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Church Street Brewing Co., 1480 Industrial Drive, Unit C, Itasca. Twelve brewers, cideries and meaderies will be serving samples, music from The Allstars and a curated beer tasting competition from noon to 1 p.m. during the VIP hour. Third annual fundraiser for Scouts BSA Three Fires Council. $40-$60. threefirescouncil.org.
Latin Jazz with the Raices Quintet: 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie. Performance pays homage to such originators of Latin Jazz as Cal Tjader and Mongo Santamaria. skokielibrary.info.
Melodies of Hope, A Willow House Dueling Pianos Benefit: 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Loft 21, 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. An evening of dancing, dinner, open bar, silent auction featuring a Taylor Swift framed “ERAS” collage and raffle prizes. Willow House provides no-cost support services for families grieving the death of a parent, sibling or child. $150. willowhouse.org/melodies.
Nothing But Treble presents “Lineage: Wisdom From Our Mothers”: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 340 Grand Blvd., Elgin. Concert celebrating women. Suggested donation $5-$15. facebook.com/events/3447533752059596.
Plank Road’s Old-Time Barn Dance: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. A caller will walk participants through the dances to live music. No experience necessary. $5; cash or check only at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. plankroad.org.
Brooklyn Charmers: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. A Steely Dan tribute band, plus food trucks and craft brews. $29-$39. gortoncenter.org.
The Graduates’ “The Sound of Simon & Garfunkel”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Simon & Garfunkel tribute. $29-$59. desplainestheatre.com.
MJ Live, Michael Jackson Tribute: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Re-creates the electrifying stage show of the iconic performer. $27.50-$75. rosemont.com/theatre.
A Flock of Seagulls with special guest Strangelove, The Depeche Mode Experience: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Celebrates the synth-heavy Romantic Movement; stage set pieces and in-show costume changes reflect different eras. $49-$89. arcadalive.com.
Frankie Beverly and Maze: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Frankie Beverly hits the road one last time with Maze on his Farewell Tour, co-starring Chaka Khan and El DeBarge. $79.50-$259.50. unitedcenter.com.
Sunday, April 28
Chicago Toy Show, An Antique and Collectible Toy & Doll Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. 51st specialty show featuring antique toy and doll collectibles. $10; free for kids 12 and younger. chicagotoyshow.com.
Spring Arts & Crafts Fair by Artisan Markets: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets, 22221 N. Pepper Road, Lake Barrington. Come and shop from approximately 35 local artists, makers and bakers. Free admission. artisan-markets.com.
John Hanrahan Quartet: 1 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The quartet presents “Wayne & Trane: Celebrating the Music of John Coltrane & Wayne Shorter.” $15-$25. evanstonspace.com.
Spring Choral Concert: 1 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. All of Midwest Young Artist's Conservatory's choral ensembles, Maestros, Voices Rising and VocalPoint will perform along with instrumentalists. $10-$20; free for MYAC students. mya.org.
“Mozart, Tangos and More”: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4370 Woodland Ave., Western Springs. Performed by The Augusta Quartet. Freewill offering; proceeds will be donated to “Off The Street Club” Summer Camp. allsaintsws.org.
Cześć ci Polsko! Music of Poland: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Forest View Educational Center Theater, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. The Northwest Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Tim Semanik, will perform the music of Polish composers Moniuszko, Lutosławski, Wieniawski and Bacewicz with violinist Marley Haller and soprano Ewa-Kowcz-Fair. $10-$20; free for kids younger than 14. northwestsymphony.org.
Chicago a cappella’s “History of Harmony”: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Chicago a cappella teams up with Deke Sharon, the “Father of Contemporary A Cappella” and music director of “Pitch Perfect,” to bring to life the history of pop vocal harmony from the early 20th century to today. $38-$48; general and preferred seating, student discounts available. chicagoacappella.org.
Fox Valley Orchestra Presents “Colors of Passion”: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 27 S. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora. Featuring flutist Anastasiya Squires on Reinecke's Flute Concerto, Sheehan's “Anachronism,” Bizet/Bourne's “Carmen Fantasy” and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. $16-$20. foxvalleyorchestra.org.
The Graduates’ “The Sound of Simon & Garfunkel”: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Simon & Garfunkel tribute. $29-$59. arcadalive.com.
“I Am He Said” — A Celebration of Neil Diamond: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Neil Diamond tribute. $39-$69. desplainestheatre.com.
“Souvenir de Florence”: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 425 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. Artemis Chamber Orchestra will perform music by Fisher, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky. Free. artemischamberorchestra.org.
Palatine Concert Band: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. The Palatine Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Frederick Lowe, performs its spring concert “Sunday Afternoon: By Request,” which explores diverse musical genres. $3-$9. cuttinghall.org.
Bluegrass Sundays “Fireside”: 4-7 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Sidecar Supper Club & Beer Garden, 12 N. River St., Batavia. Bluegrass and folk musicians perform around the fireplace. Free. sidecarsupperclub.com.
Chicago Bronze — Handbell Ensemble Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1024 Lake Ave., Wilmette. The concert features sacred and secular selections. Free. trinitywilmette.com.
College of Lake County Wind Ensemble Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The CLC Wind ensemble performs works by Alfred Reed, Malcolm Arnold, Rick Kirby, Frank Ticheli and Michael Gandolfi. $8; senior, military and students $7. jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.
Downers Grove Choral Society’s “Of Court and Chapel”: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Concert featuring Zelenka’s “Miserere” and two Joseph Haydn compositions: “Missa Brevis Santi Joannis de Deo” and “Salve Regina in G minor.” The choir will be joined by local musicians. $15-$25. facebook.com/DownersGroveChoralSociety.
Jazz Big Band Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. Midwest Young Artist's Conservatory Jazz Big Band Concert. $10-$20; free for MYAC students. mya.org.
South Asian Music Ensemble: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. Guest artists, including Mir Naqibul Islam on tabla, join SAME for a program of songs tracking glimpses into the life cycles of South Asian communities highlighting key festive events including seasonal, religious and personal celebrations, along with songs contemplating death and the afterlife. Free. logancenter.uchicago.edu.
Schaumburg Choral Program Spring Concert: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The Schaumburg Choral Program presents its spring concert. $5-$11. prairiecenter.org.
Monday, April 29
Student Composers’ Concert: 7-10 p.m. Monday, April 29, at Armerding Center concert hall, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton. Wheaton College Conservatory of Music program features new works produced by students in the composition program. Free. wheaton.edu.
Tuesday, April 30
Sinfonietta DuPage Spring Concert: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at Peace Church, 21W500 Butterfield Road, Lombard. Join The Sinfonietta DuPage in its Spring Concert, featuring guest bassist Andrew Anderson, Acting Assistant Principal Bass in the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago. $12-$22. sinfoniettabelccnto.org.
Helado Negro with Marem Ladson: 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Multi-instrumentalist Roberto Carlos Lange stitches together memories, impressions and atmospheres to make detailed dreamscapes as Helado Negro. $25. thaliahallchicago.com.
Wednesday, May 1
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts: 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist Chicago, 55 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Pianist Avery Gagliano performs pieces by George Frideric Handel, Maurice Ravel and Nikolay Medtner. Free. classicalmusicchicago.org.
History Rocks!: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Rock N Ravioli at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Onesti Entertainment is hosting a fundraiser for the St. Charles History Museum that includes an Italian buffet dinner, local bluegrass quartet Ransom Creek, a 50/50 cash raffle and special prizes. $50-$60. stcmuseum.org/hr24.
ENHYPEN World Tour “Fate Plus”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $59.50- $599.50. rosemont.com/allstate.
Judas Priest: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Heavy metal. $47.50-$148. rosemont.com/theatre.
Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra 65th Anniversary Concert: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in the St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall on the campus of Lewis University, 101 Airport Road, Romeoville. Celebrating 65 years of classical music performed by area youth instrumentalists under the direction of Peter Lipari. Pay-what-you-can donations accepted. mysomusic.org.
“Sessanta”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Wintrust Arena, 200 E. Cermak Road, Chicago. Puscifer, A Perfect Circle and Primus join forces and share band members for a unique concert experience. $72-$122. wintrustarena.com.
Knower: 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Electronic music. $29.50. thaliahallchicago.com.
Thursday, May 2
Central States Numismatic Society convention: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 2-3, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. See $100 million of historic money and buy and sell rare coins, paper money, and gold and silver bullion with professional dealers. $15 for adults, $30 for a three-day pass, free for ages 17 and younger. CSNS.org/convention.
Women In Business Fashion Show: 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Lindy's Landing, 113 Park St., Wauconda. Spring preview fashion show and luncheon. $25. waucondachamber.org.
Music on Tap at Alter Brewing Co.: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, Downers Grove. Live music from local performers. Free. fb.me/e/3zWlWAIkc.
The Chicago Hitmen & Moe Jo’s Jukebox: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Rock. $19-$39. desplainestheatre.com.
Junior Klezmer Orchestra 30th Anniversary Concert: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Junior Klezmer Orchestra, an ensemble of middle and high school musicians dedicated to carrying on the tradition of klezmer and Yiddish music. $25-$32. our.show/JKO30thanniversary.
Talbott Brothers with Haley Johnsen: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20-$30 evanstonspace.com.
One Vision of Queen: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Marc Martel brings the music of Freddie Mercury to life in a tribute show. $20-$65. geneseetheatre.com.
TOAST — The Ultimate Tribute to Bread: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. A tribute to the 1970s band. $39-$89. arcadalive.com.
Mon Laferte — Autopoiética Tour 2024: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $47.50-$248. rosemont.com/theatre.
The Strumbellas with Cece Coakley: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Two-time JUNO Award-winning alternative group The Strumbellas performs. $26. thaliahallchicago.com.
On stage
“Beautiful, The Carole King Musical”: 11:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays through June 16 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s rise to stardom as part of the hit songwriting team with her husband, Gerry Goffin. $28-$79. paramountaurora.com.
“Guys and Dolls”: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursdays; 7 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays through June 9 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Dan Knechtges and featuring Frank Loesser songs. drurylanetheatre.com.
“Baby”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through May 19; plus 1 p.m. Wednesdays, May 1 and 15, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Three couples on a university campus deal with the painful, rewarding and funny consequences of the experience of pregnancy and upcoming parenthood. $40-$45. citadeltheatre.org.
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 25-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Stage Coach Players, 126 S. Fifth St., DeKalb. Stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s celebrated novel explores the brutality of life in a mental institution with humor and candor. $18-$20. stagecoachplayers.com.
“The S. Paradox”: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through May 18 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., Chicago. Babes With Blades Theatre Company stages this time-traveling sci-fi thriller. $28-$35. babeswithblades.org.
“The 39 Steps”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through May 11 at Three Brothers Theatre, 115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. A fast-paced comedic whodunit. $15-$25. threebrotherstheatre.com.
“Blue Stockings”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, April 26 to May 5, at Elgin Community College’s SecondSpace, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. A moving, comical and eye-opening story of four young women fighting for self-determination against the larger backdrop of women’s suffrage in 1896. $12-$14. eccartscenter.org.
“Disney’s Freaky Friday”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, April 26 through May 12, at the Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. A new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films. $25-$35. bignoise.org/freakyfriday.
“Godspell”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Philip Lynch Theatre, 1 University Parkway, Romeoville. $3-$15. lewisu.edu.
Theatre 121’s “Steel Magnolias”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Set in the early 1980s, Robert Harling’s play recounts the real-life story of a woman (based on Harling’s sister) who is a Type 1 diabetic and risks everything. $10-$26. woodstockoperahouse.com.
“Wake Up, Mrs. Moore”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 8th floor, 164 Division St., Elgin. The Iambe Theatre ensemble stages Julie Marie Myatt’s play about a young feminist who wakes up from a coma after 40 years and learns what has changed in America. $22. iambetheatreensemble.com.
Elsinore’s production of “Mary Stuart”: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at The Theater at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scots, was executed by the order of her cousin Elizabeth, Queen of England. The two queens never met in person, but Friedrich Schiller’s 1800 play envisioned what would happen had they met and clashed face to face. $18-$22. our.show/marystuart.
“Othello”: 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays (except May 11) and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 18 at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Williams Street Rep’s production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy. $8-$39.50. rauecenter.org.
“Einstein & Margarita”: 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the Center Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. A play about a great love and the atomic bomb. $85-$125. northshorecenter.org.
“Into the Earth With You”: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, May 2 through June 2, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Buffalo Theatre Ensemble’s production is the world premiere of a play about three sisters who can’t forget what’s buried when their grandfather dies and an impossible discovery upends their notions of loss and gets them asking: who among us has been digging? $42-$44. atthemac.org.
Blue Man Group: Various times and dates at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The iconic performance art group featuring percussion and other types of music and art. Recommended for kids 3 and older. $49-$69. blueman.com/chicago.
“Brooklyn Laundry”: Various dates and times through May 12 at North Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Fran is chronically single, has piles of bills and finds Owen obnoxious. Owen has a bad back, runs a laundry and thinks Fran is gloomy. And then he asks her out. $49-$67. northlight.org.
“The Choir Of Man”: Various times and dates through May 26 at the Apollo Theater, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. A cast of nine (extra)ordinary guys combine harmonies, singalongs, tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community, featuring pop, classic rock, folk melodies and pub anthems. $35-$59. apollochicago.com.