Things to do in Chicago Sept. 5-11: The Mix
Theater
The Tony Award-winning play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is based on a story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Harry, Ron and Hermione are joined by a new generation at Hogwarts School for a journey with the power to change the past and future forever. (On Broadway, the show was a two-part play running five hours over two performances; it has now been reimagined into a single, 3½-hour show.) From Sept. 10-Feb. 1 at Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph. Tickets: $49-$193. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
Daniel Jamieson and Ian Ross’ “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk” is the story of the relationship of artist Marc Chagall and his poet wife Bella, which endured through the Russian revolution, pogroms and two world wars. As told through music, dance and paintings brought-to-life, the play stars Jack Cahill-Lemme and Emma Rosenthal; Elizabeth Margolius directs. From Sept. 5-Oct. 6 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $49-$91. Visit northlight.org.
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” is Dave Malloy’s Tony Award-winning musical, based on a section of Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace.” The story follows the impulsive Natasha, who falls under the spell of roguish Anatole, and Pierre, the family friend who helps her pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. Kate Spelman directs. From Sept. 5-Oct. 27 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Tickets: $45+. Visit writerstheatre.org.
Edward Hall directs a powerhouse cast in “Henry V,” Shakespeare’s epic tale of war and power. Elijah Jones stars in the title role of the historical drama, a tale of power and ambition that examines the realities of war and nationalism. From Sept. 6-Oct. 6 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand. Tickets: $49-$92. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
Eugene Lee’s “East Texas Hot Links” is set in 1955 East Texas, where racial tensions are high, but at the Top O’ the Hill Cafe patrons find a haven where they share stories and unwind until a mysterious omen forces its way into their world. Ron OJ Parson directs. From Sept. 6-29 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis. Tickets: $58-$90. Visit courttheatre.org.
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy “The Book of Mormon” follows two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they take their message of faith to a remote Ugandan village. From Sept. 10-15 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $25-$125. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
“Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago” tells the story of columnist Mike Royko as he is pitted against the "Daley Machine," corruption and the changing face of the newspaper business. Written and performed by Mitchell Bisschop. From Sept. 5-29 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division. Tickets: $60. Visit rokyo.brownpapertickets.com/.
Curious Theatre Branch presents Chris Bower’s “The Ship and the Sea,” which reimagines the sinking of the 17th century Swedish warship Vasa moments after it set sail on its maiden voyage. The story is told through the ship too big to fail, the sea unable to relate to creatures that live and die in her depths, and two sailors struggling to make sense of their short lives. Bower directs. From Sept. 6-29 at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California. Tickets: pay-what-you-can with a suggested price of $20. Visit curioustheatrebranch.com.
Preston Max Allen’s folk-punk musical “Never Better” is the story of a jaded college sophomore who struggles to keep up with her work and social life as she faces an illness she’s written off as a cold. Landree Fleming directs. The developmental production runs Sept. 7-Oct. 13 at Theo Ubique Theatre, 721 Howard. Tickets: $45. Visit theo-u.com.
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble begins its season with “The Outsider,” Paul Slade Smith’s comedy about what happens when a politician, with no political instincts and a fear of public speaking, is thrown into the spotlight. Kurt Naebig directs. From Sept. 5-Oct. 6 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $44. Visit atthemac.org.
In Sandy Rustin’s comedy “The Cottage,” a tale of sex, betrayal and desire, a woman attempts to expose her latest affair to both her husband and her lover’s wife. Jack Hickey directs. From Sept. 11-Oct. 13 at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan, Lake Forest. Tickets: $45. Visit citadeltheatre.org.
Austin Winsberg, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner’s musical “First Date” is about a blind date that turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. Christine Ramirez directs. From Sept. 5-Oct. 20 at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Rd., Glenview. Tickets: $34-$48. Visit oillamptheater.org.
Vicki Quade presents her very funny, very Catholic comedy “Late Nite Catechism” at 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison, Oak Park. Tickets: $35. Visit madisonstreettheater.org.
Music
The Outlaw Music Festival made its debut in 2016 and has consistently been a winner for fans. A lineup of legendary artists — Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp — fill this summer’s roster with soothing country, folk-rock and hard country. The blues and soul band Southern Avenue opens at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 7 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Tickets: $63. Visit livenation.com.
Weezer is on the road to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Weezer (The Blue Album)," the classic work produced by Ric Ocasek. The band will perform the album in full alongside other Weezer songs and rarities. The show also features performances by The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr. At 7 p.m. Sept. 6, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim. Tickets: $80+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
The inaugural Evanston Folk Festival roster of more than 30 artists includes Sierra Ferrell, Patty Griffin, Hiss Golden Messenger, Sarah Jarosz, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Madi Diaz, Gaby Moreno, Dom Flemons and more. From 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan, Evanston. Tickets: $99.50, kids under 12 are free. (Also evening shows Sept. 6-8 at Space, 1245 Chicago, and Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson, feature Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Steve Earle, Deer Tick, Rufus Wainwright, Langhorne Slim and a tribute to the music of Tracy Chapman.) For more information, visit evanstonfolkfestival.com.
Rockers Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Alejandro Escovedo return to Ravinia. Isbell’s music features carefully crafted lyrics that touch on his personal life and the lives of people in his orbit, distilling complex experiences into four-minute masterpieces. Escovedo has an eclectic background ranging from punk (with the Nuns), roots rock (the True Believers) and alt-country (with Rank & File) as well as an accomplished and diverse solo career. At 6:45 p.m. Sept. 8 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $48-$115. Visit ravinia.org.
The National Museum of Mexican Art presents the annual Selena Tribute Concert, a tribute to the beloved Tex Mex queen of cumbia, Selena Quintanilla. At 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Admission is free. Visit millenniumpark.org.
Chicago Sinfonietta begins its season with a program titled "Stage and Screen," featuring selections from the intersection of popular and classical music. Included are works by Laura Karpman (from the movie “The Marvels”), Joe Hisaishi (“Kiki’s Delivery Service”), Leonard Bernstein (“West Side Story”) and more. Plus vocalist Laurin Talese performs a tribute to Broadway. At 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago, Naperville ($57, $67), and 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells ($27-$57). Visit chicagosinfonietta.org.
Collins Obinna Chibueze who goes by the stage name Shaboozey, is an artist at the crossroads of country and hip-hop. His No. 1 hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is one of the songs of the summer. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Sold out but check resale sites. Visit metrochicago.com.
Fiestas Patrias Festival, an event that raises scholarship funds for Hispanic college-bound Aurora residents, features El Banda Limon, Jose Manuel Figueroa, Janeth Valenzuela (Sept. 7) and Alacranes Musical, El Grito, Liberacion and Lupillo Rivera (Sept. 8). From 3:30-11 pm Sept. 7 and 3-10 p.m. Sept. 8 at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway. Tickets: $20, children 11 and under $5, $10. Visit paramountaurora.com.
Museums
“Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film” explores the early days of vaudeville and the golden age of motion picture theaters in downtown Chicago via historical photographs, publications and advertisements; performance and film artifacts, and archival films. Also a section of the exhibit celebrates the centennial of Elmhurst’s own York Theatre. From Sept. 6-Jan. 5 at Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park, Elmhurst. Admission is free. Visit elmhursthistory.org.
Movies
The Music Box Theatre celebrates the reopening of its revitalized main theater (new seats with cup holders!) with the return of the popular film series “Noir City: Chicago.” This year’s edition features double bills, pairing foreign-language films with movies made in the United States and United Kingdom. Among the 18 films are Tay Garnet’s “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” Luchino Visconti “Ossessione,” Carol Reed’s “Odd Man Out,” Emilio Fernandez’s “Victims of Sin,” Frank Tuttle’s “This Gun for Hire,” Jean-Pierre Melville's “Le Samourai” and more including 3D screenings of Roy Ward Baker’s “Inferno” and Lew Landers' “Man in the Dark.” From Sept. 6-12, Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $12.50, $18 3D screening, $125 series pass. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
Chicago Underground Film Festival celebrates some of the most original films and video art being made today via screenings, panels and afterparties. From Sept. 11-15 at Harper Theater, 5238 S. Harper; opening night and closing night are at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $12, $13; festival pass $150. Visit cuff.org.
Family Fun
UniverSoul Circus features flying acrobats, gravity-defying stunts, fire breathers, stilt dancers, clowns and more. The interactive show is backed by the infectious beat of world music including sounds and dance spanning the African diaspora. From Sept. 6-Oct. 14 under the big top at Washington Park, E. 51st and S. Cottage Grove. Tickets: $25+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Midnight Circus in the Parks presents a range of acrobatic talent including trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and more. Outdoor performances at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at Grand Crossing Park, 7655 S. Ingleside ($5); 2, 5 p.m. Sept. 14-15 at McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing ($10); 2, 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 at Jefferson Park, 4822 N. Long ($20); under the big top 7 p.m. Sept. 27 (benefit show $40, $75) and 2, 5 p.m. Sept. 28-29 ($40) at Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside. Children 2 and under free. Visit midnightcircus.net.
“cELLAbration” is a music-dance party celebrating Ella Jenkins 100th birthday. Old Town School teaching artists and friends honor the First Lady of Children’s Music by showcasing her repertoire of call-and-response songs that blends gospel, blues, Latin and nursery rhymes. At 10:30 a.m. Sept. 7 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $15. Visit oldtownschool.org.
The inaugural Lakefront Games is a free festival, inside and outside of Navy Pier, featuring games of strength, skill and strategy, including inflatable obstacle courses, a classic arcade and video racing games, axe throwing, bull riding, a dunk tank and more. From 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 7-8 Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Admission is free. Visit navypier.org.
Festival Fun
Taste of Chicago returns to shine the spotlight on the city’s foodie scene. On hand will be 40 food vendors and more than a dozen food truck offerings. Music performers include singer CeeLo Green, Mexican music trio Yahritza y Su Esencia, Australian alt-rockers Atlas Genius plus local and emerging artists Gabacho, Asha Imuno and MJ Nebreda. A children’s area offers games, interactive art and inflatables. From 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 6-8 in Grant Park. Admission is free. Visit tasteofchicago.us.
The 34th annual Taste of Greektown is a celebration of Hellenic cuisine and culture. The neighborhood’s restaurants are showcased plus find a gyros-eating contest, live Greek music and dancing, family activities, and the new Little Wise Owls outdoor sculpture exhibit. From 4-10 p.m. Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 7-8 on Halsted from Adams to Van Buren. Admission is free. Visit greektownchicago.org.
Lincoln Square’s German-American Fest features authentic German food and drink, traditional music and dancing, family entertainment and carnival games. From 5-10 p.m. Sept 6, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at 4521 N. Lincoln. Admission is free. Visit germanday.com/oktoberfest/.