Things to do Feb. 20-26: Christopher Titus, Travel & Adventure Show, Peking Acrobats and more

Starts before Friday

“The Outsider”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 18-20; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. A comedy of campaign chaos kicks off the new season. $30-$55. oillamptheater.org.

Jim Gaffigan’s “Everything is Wonderful!”: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19-20, and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Stand-up comedy. Tickets start at $53.25. msg.com.

Arena Theater’s “Arms and the Man”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 19-21, and Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 25-27, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Jenks Hall, 433 N. Howard St., Wheaton. Satirical comedy set in an 1885 Bulgarian household where both upper and lower classes navigate relationships as they wrestle with societal and cultural expectations. $11.50-$17.25. tickets.wheaton.edu.

Brian Posehn: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, at the Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. Stand-up comedy. $36.99. comedyvaultbatavia.com.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Mäkelä “Conducts Ein Heldenleben”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 19-21, at the Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä pairs Strauss’ “A Hero’s Life” with music from his native Finland. Tickets start at $49. cso.org.

“Everybody Thrashing”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 19-20; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Madden Theatre, 171 Chicago Ave., Naperville. A play with music incorporating original text, Medieval writings and devised moments created by the ensemble depicting the Dancing Plague of 1518, in which roughly 400 people couldn’t stop dancing. $14. northcentralcollege.edu.

Friday, Feb. 20

The International Gem & Jewelry Show: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. See and shop for diamonds, pearls, platinum, gold, silver, antique jewelry, gemstones, jewelry making equipment and accessories and more. $6 online, $8 at the door. intergem.com.

Brandi Carlile: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. “The Human Tour,” with special guest The Head and the Heart. $68.40. rosemont.com/allstate.

Christopher Titus’ “Doomed to Repeat”: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Stand-up comedy. $33.34-$52.62. improv.com/chicago.

“Rumors” by Neil Simon: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Three Brothers Theatre, 115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. A group of wealthy friends gather at a dinner party and find the host wounded and his wife missing, then concoct wild cover stories, each lie spiraling further out of control. $20-$30. threebrotherstheatre.com.

Dueling Pianos: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Pianomonium Featuring Felix and Fingers, who battle it out for laughs and sing-along supremacy. $19.70. geneseetheatre.com.

ECC Spring Musical Theatre Presents Unsung Broadway: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 20 to March 1, at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. A musical revue celebrating unforgettable songs from shows that time forgot and unforgettable numbers that never made opening night. $20-$22. eccartscenter.org.

“How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying!”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 20 to March 1, at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. The musical story of the meteoric rise of an ambitious window washer who stumbles upon a handy guide to conquering the business world. $8-$30. wirtz.northwestern.edu.

Joffrey Ballet’s “American Icons”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 19 to March 1, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Dynamic works by four trailblazing artists of the 20th century: The Joffrey Ballet co-founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, Joffrey alum Glen Tetley and prolific dance pioneer Martha Graham. Tickets start at $46. joffrey.org.

Theatre 121’s “Singin’ in the Rain”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 20 to March 1, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. $17-$35. woodstockoperahouse.com.

66th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Leon Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago. Two nights of concerts featuring blues, bluegrass, Cajun, Old Time and other folk genres, plus a day of free workshops and dances. Concerts will be streamed online. $5-$30. For the full schedule, visit uofcfolk.org.

Alicia Villarreal: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. “Donde Todo Comenzo 2.0” Tour. $72.15. rosemont.com/theatre.

Femmes of Rock: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. A high-octane, multimedia rock experience featuring electric violin, vocalists and a three-piece band. With special guest Hersteria. $46.75-$78.75. arcadalive.com.

John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Official and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour. Tickets start at $53. Rauecenter.org.

Larry Reeb: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, at CG’s Comedy Club, 619 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Stand-up comedy. $23.70. cgscomedyclub.com.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Nanny Nikki: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Aquatics Center, 860 Hart Road, Round Lake. Nanny Nikki will perform her high-energy, interactive children’s music show, including traditional African songs and songs from the Civil Rights era. $2-$4. rlapd.org.

Travel & Adventure Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Discover thousands of vacation options; meet experts; learn travel tips and trends; meet favorite travel celebrities including Samantha Brown, Pauline Frommer and Peter Greenberg and more. Tickets start at $16 for one day, $24 for both days. travelshows.com.

“Arthur & Friends Make a Musical”: 1:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22, at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Based on the “Arthur” book series by Marc Brown. $8-$20. cuttinghall.org.

Dinosaur World Live!: 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Discover a world of dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Segnosaurus and more. A meet-and-greet will take place after the show. $25-$35. morainevalley.edu.

Exploring the Possibilities of Percussion through Solos, Duets and Trios: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Armerding Center for Music & the Arts, 530 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton. Features solos, duos and trios that center on percussion, plus another instrument. $11.80-$17.70. tickets.wheaton.edu.

ArtWauk: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Arts & Entertainment District, 2001 Belvedere Road, Waukegan. The monthly celebration of arts in downtown Waukegan and the Belvidere Mall includes art exhibits, musicians and performances. artwauk.com.

Lake County Beer Fest: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Sample from local, regional and national breweries, plus wine, spirits and cider vendors. Plus, music, food and games with a Fire & Ice theme. 21 and older. $60. lcfairgrounds.com/beerfest.

The Peking Acrobats: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. These incredible stunt performers show their technical prowess in gymnastics, wire walking, juggling, trick cycling, precision tumbling and more. $37.85. geneseetheatre.com.

Alfred Robles: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Stand-up comedy. $47-$182. jamusa.com.

The Brothers Gibb: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Bee Gees tribute. $40. metropolisarts.com.

Greenroom Improv: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Clean, high-energy, multifaceted improv comedy. $17-$24. Rauecenter.org.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Indoor farmers market with over 50 farmers, food purveyors and artisans. Free admission and parking. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

Christopher Laughlin: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. Guitarist Christopher Laughlin will perform classical works by Bach, Torroba and Barrios; traditional flamenco pieces; and arrangements of pop and rock classics from artists including The Who, Crowded House and The Beatles. Free. Register at visit.northbrook.info.

Impressions of Debussy and Ravel: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines. Pianist Matt Peterson will play selections from Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Registration required. Free. calendar.dppl.org.

Heartstrings: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, and 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at First Congregational Church of Dundee, 900 S. 8th St., West Dundee. A string quartet program centered around love that’s guest-curated by violinist Eleanor Bartsch. Cost is $15-$25. chambermusiconthefox.org.

American Wind Band Presents “Music Across the Globe”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. Featuring new and interesting music to take listeners on a musical trip. Free. americanwindband.org.

Arlington Heights Community Concert Band presents “Good Vibes Only”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Featuring music such as Christopher Teichler’s “Hope and A New Dawn,” Frank Ticheli’s “Joy Revisited” and more. Free. arlingtonheightsband.org.

CSO Marc-Andre Hamelin: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra with pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin. $39. cso.org.

David Chiriboga and Olya Prohorova: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Schweikher House, 645 Meacham Road, Schaumburg. Classical, flamenco and Latin music. $30. schweikherhouse.org.

Northshore Concert Band’s “In Good Company”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. Northshore Concert Band’s 70th season continues with the annual Lifetime of Music Initiative performance and Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” $10-$25. Register at eventbrite.com.

Northbrook Symphony Orchestra’s “The Four Seasons”: 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, Northbrook. Features Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” Pre-concert talk with Robbie Ellis starts at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $45; free for kids 6-17. northbrooksymphony.org.

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone: 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Peter Noone returns with his annual comedic show featuring classic hits including “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “There’s A Kind of Hush” and more. $66.75-$108.75. arcadalive.com.

The Ultimate Doors: 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tribute to The Doors. $36.70. geneseetheatre.com.

Monday, Feb. 23

Ishay Ribo: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. Jewish music icon. $84-$268. jamusa.com.

Oscar-Nominated Live Action Short Films: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. After Hours Film Society presents a compilation of five Oscar-nominated live action films. PG-13. 110 minutes. A discussion will follow. $7-$11. afterhoursfilmsociety.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Illinois Libraries Present R.L. Stine: Virtually 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24. Illinois Libraries Present will host “Still Afraid of the Dark: An Evening With R.L. Stine.” Becky Spratford, acclaimed horror maven and editor of “Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature,” will join R.L. Stine, author of the “Goosebumps” and “Fear Street” series, in conversation. Free; register through your local library. ila.org.

Student Composers Concert: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Regenstein Hall of Music, Regenstein Master Class Room, 60 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. A program of new works by Bienen student composers. Free. planitpurple.northwestern.edu.

Shedd Aquarium Resident Free Days: Hours vary by day Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 24-26, at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Free admission for Illinois residents. Advance reservations recommended. There is a $5 convenience fee for reservations made online; tickets can be reserved at (312) 939-2438 at no extra cost. Adults must provide proof of residency when redeeming tickets at a discounted rate. sheddaquarium.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 25

The Drum Also Sings: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Merit School of Music’s Gottlieb Hall, 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago. The world premiere of “and this too, shall pass” by JaRon Brown, along with other premieres and recent works by leading composers. $40. novalineamusica.org.

“The Play That Goes Wrong”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25; 7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 26 and March 12 and 26; 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 27 through March 29; and 2 p.m. Thursdays, March 5 and 19, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. A bungling troupe of thespians attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery trip over everything, including their lines, and things quickly go from bad to disastrous. $25-$49. metropolisarts.com.

Ruben Ramirez: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. Stand-up comedy. $26. comedyvaultbatavia.com.

Andrea Bocelli: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. “Romanza — 30th Anniversary World Tour.” Tickets start at $137.95. unitedcenter.com.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Northern Illinois Boat Show: Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 26-27; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Top boat manufacturers on display from local dealers; boat trailers, parts and accessories; show specials on bow riders, ski boats, wake board boats, wake surf boats, cruisers, cuddy cabins, deck boats, jet boats and pontoon boats and more. $9, $7 for seniors and veterans, and free for kids younger than 12. illinoisboatshow.com.

Nolan Farwell author discussion: 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the History Center Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, 509 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest. Nolan Farwell, author of “North Routt Revolution: Grit. Grief. Gold” and a distant cousin of Lake Forest founding father and former mayor John V. Farwell, will discuss “John V. Farwell’s Western Legacy: The Farwell Ditch in Colorado.” Free; suggested donation $10. lflbhistory.org.

Cole Garrett: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. Stand-up comedy. $31. comedyvaultbatavia.com.

Jazz Big Band Winter Concert: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Madden Theatre, 171 Chicago Ave., Naperville. Under the direction of Tim Coffman, the band will showcase compositions from Stanley Turrentine, Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, Kenny Dorham, Thelonious Monk and others. $7. northcentralcollege.edu.

Ongoing

Brookfield Zoo Free Days: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 28 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Free general admission. Parking and attraction fees apply. brookfieldzoo.org.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: 10 a.m. Fridays through Sundays through March 28, and Wednesdays and Thursdays starting March 4; plus Thursday, Feb. 26; and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The musical stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale. Tickets start at $18.75. marriotttheatre.com.

Ice Rink & Cocoa Cabanas: Ice rink open 4-9 p.m. Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Cocoa Cabanas available at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Fridays and noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 28 in the Cantigny Visitors Center Parking Lot, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Ice skating, hot chocolate, fire pits, s’mores, specialty drinks and more. Admission to the rink is $7, free for spectators. Skate rental is $3. Two-hour Cocoa Cabana rentals start at $125, plus a food and beverage minimum. Each cabana can host up to 10 people. cantigny.org.

“Dear Evan Hansen”: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays, and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays through March 22; plus 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Chicago-area premiere of the six-time Tony Award-winning musical. Tickets start at $31. paramountaurora.com.

“Admissions”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 15; plus 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 and March 11, at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. This drama examines the lengths we’ll go to to protect our kids and the complicated truths that surface when personal stakes hit close to home. $45. citadeltheatre.org.

“The Lion In Winter”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through March 1 at The Barrington, 540 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. A razor-sharp duel of love, power and inheritance featuring King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and their three rival sons at Christmas 1183. $28.03-$38.43. parkerplayerstheater.org.

“Little Shop of Horrors”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays, 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 p.m. Thursdays through March 15 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 25 and 1 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 26 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The story of plant store attendant Seymour, his co-worker crush Audrey and the man-eating plant that threatens the world. $78-$101. marriotttheatre.com.

“Unnecessary Farce”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 1 at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. A pair of inept police officers set up a sting operation in a pair of matching hotel rooms. Contains adult themes and language. $43-$45. atthemac.org.