Best Bets: Suburban venues welcome movie stars, singers and stand-ups
Star power
Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino (“Mighty Aphrodite,” “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” “Norma Jean & Marilyn”) discusses her life and career at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Former WGN TV and radio personality Dean Richards moderates the event, which concludes with a screening of the cult classic “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.” $55-$105. (815) 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6
Dueling pianos at the arboretum
The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, hosts an interactive performance by the Howl2GO ensemble, a touring version of Howl at the Moon’s dueling pianists show. $50. mortonarb.org. 6-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 6-7
Celebrating women in music and dance
• Deeply Rooted Dance Theater joins the Chicago Sinfonietta for “Still I Rise,” a musical tribute to “women who break molds, blaze trails and rise again,” taking place at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Deeply Rooted performs to Florence Price’s African- and Caribbean-inspired “Dances in the Canebrakes” piano suite and Shirley J. Thompson’s “Seventh Sense.” The program also includes Amy Beach’s “Gaelic Symphony” and Marianna Martines’ Sinfonia in C. $45-$65. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show. 7 p.m. Friday, March 6
• New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck brings her show “Turn It Out With Tiler Peck & Friends” to The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, for two performances. The program includes “The Barre Project, Blake Works II,” a work created for film, with music by James Blake; Peck’s “Thousandth Orange,” set to music by Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw; “Swift Arrow,” a pas de deux by Alonzo King; and “Time Spell,” featuring Peck, tap dancer Michelle Dorrance and choreographer Jillian Meyers. Tickets start at $35. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Funny women
Veteran comedian Caroline Montgomery headlines “Funny Women of a Certain Age,” a comedy showcase featuring Leighann Lord and Tammy Pescatelli, with special guest WGN Morning News reporter Ana Belaval, that proves women over 50 are “sharper, bolder and funnier than ever.” The performance takes place at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $48.15. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7
ESO performs Fauré’s Requiem
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra welcomes the Elgin Master Chorale and guest vocalists soprano Laura Strickling and baritone Jesse Blumberg to the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. ESO music director Chad Goodman conducts the program featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem; Valerie Coleman’s “Seven O’Clock Shout,” composed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a tribute to front-line workers; and selections from Edvard Grieg’s “Peer Gynt.” Tickets start at $20. (847) 888-4000 or ElginSymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Orion Ensemble debuts new commission
The Orion Ensemble’s 33rd season continues with a world-premiere commission by Chicago composer Ephraim Champion; Ludwig van Beethoven’s Trio in B-flat Major for Clarinet, Cello and Piano; and Anton Arensky’s Trio in D Minor for Violin, Cello and Piano. $30, $25 for seniors, $15 for students. (630) 628-9591 or orionensemble.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora; 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; and 7:30 p.m. March 15 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
A tribute to Karen Carpenter
Joseph Jefferson Award-winner and Chicago-area favorite Heidi Kettenring channels Karen Carpenter in “We’ve Only Just Begun: Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter,” the next show in the Artists Lounge Live series at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The set peppers stories and recollections with hits such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “For All We Know,” “Superstar,” “Rainy Days & Mondays” and “Close to You.” $45. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11
Odysseus on trial
The National Hellenic Museum hosts “The Trial of Odysseus,” inspired by the Greek hero whose decade-long journey home following The Trojan War led to suitors overrunning his kingdom in pursuit of his loyal wife, Penelope, which prompted Odysseus’ violent and fatal assault on them. In this unscripted mock trial at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago, attorneys argue as to whether Odysseus was a hero or criminal. $50, $25 students and educators. NationalHellenicMuseum.org/trial2026. 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12
Telling tales in Highland Park
Starting a mahjong business, befriending your doctor and sewing a perfect seam are among the tales presented during the next Short Story Theatre performance at The Art Center of Highland Park, 1957 N. Sheridan Road. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. ShortStoryTheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12