Best Bets: 'HYPROV' returns to cast a spell at ECC
Controlling comedy
Comedian Colin Mochrie and hypnotist Asad Mecci returns with their tour of "HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis" on Saturday at the Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Way, Elgin. $42-49. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts; also Thursday, April 21, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1250 W. Wilson St., Batavia. $50-$64. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. In Elgin: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 2; In Batavia: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21
'SNL' alum
"Saturday Night Live" fans won't want to miss the return of actor and comedian Jay Pharoah this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28, plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com/chicago. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2
Ode to Joy
Former Lyric Opera of Chicago music director Sir Andrew Davis Conducts Beethoven 9 featuring the forces of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus, plus opera soloists like Matthew Polenzani, Eric Owens and more, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $79-$249. This concert is dedicated to the memory of Lady Gianna Rolandi Davis. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7 p.m. Friday, April 1
Songbook savant
Revel in works from the Great American Songbook when vocalist and pianist Michael Feinstein performs in concert at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. $59. (630) 962-7000 or desplainestheatre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, April 1
Jazz dance
The spring season of Giordano Dance Chicago features world-premieres works by choreographers Autumn Eckman's "Retroverse" and Joshua Blake Carter alongside returning repertory favorites this weekend at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $20-$90. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2
Something cooking
Food Network star Alton Brown cooks up culinary demonstrations with music as part of his "Beyond the Eats" tour on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $50-$150. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2
Symphonic Americana
Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green and conductor José Luis Gomez are featured in Elgin Symphony Orchestra performances of "Old American Songs" with music of Copland, Barber and Dvorák this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $35-$65; $10 students and youth. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3
Orchestral outdoors
The Northwest Symphony Orchestra performs nature-inspired works like Florence Price's "Mississippi River Suite," Chris Rogerson's "Oaken Sky" and more on Sunday at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. $20; $15 seniors; $10 students. (847) 965-7271 or northwestsymphony.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3
Vocal powerhouse
Broadway fans won't want to miss seeing Tony and Grammy Award winner Heather Headley ("Aida," "The Lion King") perform in concert on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $80-$100. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3