Plan ahead: 'Mutts Gone Nuts' does tricks in Schaumburg
In the shadows
If you were wowed by "Catapult: The Amazing Magic of Shadow Dance" on "America's Got Talent," then don't miss the Chicago-area return on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $25-$36. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Comedy on the spot
Actors and comedians Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray all create improvisational comedy on demand with the tour of "Whose Live Anyway?" You can see the show first on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $30-$50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com; then on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. $35-$45. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, in Waukegan; 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in Joliet
Canine entertainers
Rescued shelter dogs perform amazing tricks in the touring show "Mutts Gone Nuts" for two performances on Sunday, Oct. 13, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $20; $17 students and seniors. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13