Weekend picks: Taylor Williamson plays Schaumburg's Improv; Alice Cooper at the Genesee

Taylor talks

Fans of comedian Taylor Williamson from his 2013 run on "America's Got Talent" won't want to miss seeing him in a series of standup sets this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Pop gathering

Meet with comics vendors, "Land of the Lost" stars and more at the Chicago Pop Culture Convention this weekend at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $12; free admission for kids ages 12 and under. (715) 526-9769 or chicagopopculturecon.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Kid-size 'Carol'

Director Scott Calcagno returns again to Drury Lane Theatre for its 30th annual "A Christmas Carol" for young audiences. The hourlong production is suitable for most children. On certain days, families have the option of dining with Santa Claus before or after the performances. 10 a.m. and noon Saturday, Nov. 30. It runs through Dec. 23 at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $20. Lunch and dinner packages available. (630) 530-0111 or drurylanetheatre.com.

Columbian Expo Christmas

The Joffrey Ballet returns to present Christopher Wheeldon's 2016 version of "The Nutcracker," which was re-centered around Chicago's iconic 1893 Columbian Exposition. The Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet starts this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $35-$179. (312) 341-2310 or joffrey.org. 29 performances from Saturday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 29

A Cirque holiday

See a new holiday stage circus spectacular with "'Twas the Night Before ..." by Cirque du Soleil, which starts this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $30-$133.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. Through Sunday, Dec. 8

Fox 'Nutcracker'

Professional dancers perform alongside students and families from local dance studios for "The Fox Valley Nutcracker." Fox Valley Ballet presents its version of the classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet this weekend at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $25-$42; $20-$42 kids ages 10 and under. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Musical 'Carol'

BrightSide Theatre revives the family-friendly "A Christmas Carol the Musical," based on Charles Dickens' story. The score is by Alan Menken ("Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid") and Lynn Ahrens ("Ragtime," "Once on This Island"). Winfield's Stan Austin stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. It runs through Dec. 15 at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $25, $30. (630) 447-8497 or brightsidetheatre.com.

Latinx 'Cuento'

16th Street Theater celebrates the season with the premiere of "A Xmas Cuento Remix," Maya Malan-Gonzalez's Latino-inspired adaptation of "A Christmas Carol (Cuento)" centered around pub owner Dolores. Dolores thinks Christmas is a scam and charity is for suckers until three spirits convince her otherwise. Previews at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6420 16th St., Berwyn. The show opens Dec. 6. $25, $32. (708) 795-6704 or 16thstreettheater.org.

Rylan Wilder benefit show

Mock Nine, Friko and Neptune's Core take the stage at Martyrs' Saturday to help out Rylan Wilder, a Chicago teen hit by a stray bullet during a police chase that started in Des Plaines. Proceeds from the all-ages show will benefit Wilder's GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses. Head out and see some young musicians as they perform to help out a friend in need. Donations will also be accepted at gofundme.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Martyr, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.

Cooper in concert

Hear song hits such as "School's Out," "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and more when Alice Cooper brings the "Ol' Black Eyes is Back" tour on Saturday to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $60-$770. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30

Modern 'Carol'

Steel Beam Theatre premieres "The Ballad of CC Scrooge #christmasmakeover," John David Westby's female-centered adaptation of Dickens' story. It's about a businesswoman named CC Scrooge who - in the pursuit of professional success - has forsaken friends and family. JoAnn Smith of Roselle stars as CC and Jami Johnson of Geneva plays her employee Bobbi Cratchit. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. It runs through Dec. 29 at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $23-$28. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.

'Carol' with music

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre commences its holiday programming with a play-with-music version of "A Christmas Carol," adapted by Krista Scott. Crystal Lake's Steve Connell plays the miser Scrooge. Kevin Wiczer directs and Kenneth McMullen is the music director. Opens at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, and runs through Dec. 24 at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $15, $30. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

"Christmas with the Nelsons"

A cappella troupe and multiplatinum recording artists Matthew and Gunnar Nelson perform a holiday concert. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $29-$38. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

Tribute time

Get a big dose of holiday music performed in classic rock style with the touring tribute show "A Million Dollar Christmas: Presley, Perkins, Lewis & Cash" on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $45-$65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

The 11th Annual Galway Arms Christmas Concert

Join Paddy Homan and the Galway Arms Sunday Sessioners as they celebrate the Christmas Season with festive songs, tunes and stories. 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at The Galway Arms, 2442 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15. brownpapertickets.com.

Concert highlights

Vienna Boys Choir performing "Christmas in Vienna": 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. cso.org/holidays

Dave Cavalier: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Elbo Room (Lounge), 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Hair Band Tribute Night with Dirty Talk, Photograph, 5184: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Jaden & Willow "The Willow & Erys Tour": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. (773) 275-6800 or rivieratheatre.com.

Ha Ha Tonka, The Spring Standards, The Inventors: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Sixteen Candles: 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

Mike & Joe: 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. (847) 358-150 or durtynellies.com.

"Christmas with the Nelsons": 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

"Presley, Perkins, Lewis & Cash": 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. atthemac.org.

Luzma, Machin, The Off Days, Division Point, The Tracies: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at Wire, 6815 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.

The 11th Annual Galway Arms Christmas Concert: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at The Galway Arms, 2442 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15. brownpapertickets.com.

Suspicious Fires, Brian Kristmas, Highway English: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

• Information is provided by entertainment venues and is subject to change. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.