Things to do in Chicago Jan. 23-29, 2025

Theater

• Lloyd Suh’s “The Heart Sellers,” a play about the Asian immigrant experience in the 1970s, follows two women, whose workaholic husbands have left them to fend for themselves, as they reminisce and dream of spreading their wings in their new home. Aja Alcazar and Seoyoung Park star; Helen Young directs. From Jan. 23-Feb 23 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $49-$91. Visit northlight.org.

• “Frida … A Self Portrait” is written and performed by Vanessa Severo, who brings iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo to life. With music and movement, Severo uncovers insights into the painter’s physical limitations, her complex love life and the beauty of her art. Joanie Schultz directs. From Jan. 23-Feb. 23 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor, Glencoe. Tickets: 35+. Visit writerstheatre.org.
• “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is a journey through the singer-songwriter’s life and musical legacy. Includes hits such as “I Feel the Earth Move” and “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.” Samantha Gershman stars; Jane Lanier directs. From Jan. 29-March 23 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Labem, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $53-$125. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.

• TimeLine Theatre, The Theatre School at DePaul University and The American Vicarious present “Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley,” an imagining of the historic debate between James Baldwin (Teagle F. Bourgere) and William F. Buckley Jr. (Eric T. Miller). The debate, which took place Feb. 18, 1965, at England’s Cambridge University, revealed the deep roots and lasting legacy of racial conflict in America. Adapted and directed by Christopher McElroen. From Jan. 29-March 2 at DePaul University’s Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N. Fremont. Tickets: $40-$75. Visit timelinetheatre.com.
• “The Mannequins’ Ball” is Bruno Jasienski’s drama about a once-a-year event when mannequins come alive and where one sneaks into the world of humans, becoming a witness to a world of political intrigue. Co-directed by Miguel Long and Nicole Wiesner. From Jan. 23-March 1 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland. Tickets: $31. Visit trapdoortheatre.com.
• Shattered Globe Theatre presents Kenneth Lonergan’s “Lobby Hero,” a dark comedy about a cop and a night watchman who get tangled in the blurred lines between right and wrong. Nate Santana directs. From Jan. 24-March 1 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. Tickets: $10-$52. Visit sgtheatre.org.
• St. Sebastian Players stage Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman’s classic farce “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” Sean Michael Barrett directs. From Jan. 24-Feb. 16 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey. Tickets: $35. Visit saintsebastianplayers.org.
• “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays. JT Nagle directs. From Jan. 23-Feb. 16 at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview. Tickets: $55. Visit oillamptheater.org.

Dance

• Lucky Plush Productions presents Erin Kilmurray and Kara Brody’s “Knockout,” a duet between two women that moves through fight sequences, intimacies, power dynamics and relationships. From Jan. 24-Feb. 2 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted. Tickets: $30. Visit steppenwolf.org.

Music

• Country pop singer Kelsea Ballerini is on her first arena tour promoting the recent album “Patterns,” which features the hit single “Cowboys Cry Too” featuring Noah Kahan. (In another first, Ballerini joins Michael Bublé, Adam Levine and John Legend on the 27th season of “The Voice,” beginning Feb. 3 on NBC.) Sasha Alex Sloan and MaRynn Taylor open at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $35+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• Frank Black (aka Black Francis of the Pixies) performs the entirety of his first solo album, “Teenager of the Year.” On its release in 1994, Pitchfork said, “It’s colossal, it teems with innovation.” Joining Black are Eric Feldman, Lyle Workman and Nick Vincent, who played on the album. Verboten opens at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25-26 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Tickets: $35 (Jan. 25 sold out). Visit metrochicago.com.

• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis, returns with two programs: a tribute to the origins of bebop (8 p.m. Jan. 24) and works by Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Max Roach and more (7:30 p.m. Jan. 25). At Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $75+. Visit cso.org.
• New Philharmonic performs Donizetti’s opera “The Elixir of Love,” with soprano Alisa Jordheim, tenor James Judd, bass David Govertsen, mezzo soprano AddieRose Brown and baritone Jonathan Wilson. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 and 3 p.m. Jan. 26 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $67. Visit atthemac.org.
• The musical collective Poi Dog Pondering, led by Frank Orrall, debuts new songs for what hopefully will be a long-awaited new album. Special guests include Joe Sonnefeldt, Sophia Sanchez and poet Marc Kelly Smith. At 8 p.m. Jan. 24-25 at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $32-$38 (Jan. 24 sold out). Visit athenaeumcenter.org.
• The Vaccines tour behind the new album “Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations,” a roster of songs that continues what the British band does best: ‘60s-inspired guitar pop filtered through a New Wave lens. Thus Love opens at 7:30 p.m. at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $32.50-$50. Visit jamusa.com.

Museums

• “Regina Agi: ShoreLines” showcases how Agi, drawing on methods of field work and landscape photography, examines waterways and natural environments as defining sites of Black life and belonging. The exhibit includes a large-scale, site-specific installation exploring the histories and geographies of Black lakefront communities. From Jan. 23-May 17 at Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan. Admission is free. Visit mocp.org.

Movies

• The Chicago Architecture Center presents the always interesting Architecture and Design Film Festival, featuring 13 films focused on architects and designers who have shaped the cities and spaces in which we live. Films include “Ada — My Mother the Architect,” “Schindler Space Architect,” “This is Not a House” and “The Pavilion on the Water.” Q&As with filmmakers and more follow some screenings. From Jan. 29-Feb. 2 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State, and Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Tickets: $15-$20. Visit adfilmfest.com.

• “The Silver Fox: Howard Hawks Matinees” continues with the director’s films from the Golden Age of Hollywood: “Red Line 7000,” “His Girl Friday,” “Bringing Up Baby,” “The Thing from Another World,” “Only Angels Have Wings” and “To Have and Have Not.” To Feb. 23 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $10. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Family Fun

• An all-new production of “Disney on Ice” brings fan-favorite stories from “Frozen 2,” “Wish,” “The Lion King,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Moana” to life. From Jan. 23-26 and Feb. 6-9 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont, and Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $20+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• “The Lizard y El Sol” is an adaptation of a Mexican folktale about a brave lizard who, when El Sol (The Sun) disappears, embarks on a quest to find and bring back the light. The all-ages show features storytelling, puppets, music and dancing. From Jan. 24-Feb. 2 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $10, $15. Visit goodmantheatre.org.

• Manual Cinema’s “The Magic City,” a mix of actors, puppets, miniatures, multimedia and live music, tells the story of a young girl who creates a tiny city of found objects that come to life. For ages 6+. From Jan. 25-Feb. 16 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine. Tickets: $32.25, $37.25. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

Out & About

• The foodie favorite Chicago Restaurant Week (Jan. 24-Feb. 9 — actually two weeks) returns with more than 470 participating eateries representing 35 Chicago neighborhoods along with 50 suburban restaurants. For a list of restaurants offering special prix fixe menus (there’s something for everyone here) and reservations, visit choosechicago.com/chicago-restaurant-week/.