25 things to do in Chicago Aug. 20-26

Theater

• Paramount Theatre begins its season with “Mean Girls,” Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond and Neil Benjamin’s Broadway musical adaptation of the motion picture about a smart new girl (Elizabeth Stenholt) who finds herself tangled up with the school’s popular clique, The Plastics (Julia Hope Budd, Angel Alzeidan and Dariana Mullen). Devon Hayakawa directs. From Aug. 26-Oct. 11 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets: $34-$109. Visit paramountaurora.com.
• Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s musical “Come From Away” tells the true story of the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, whose residents took in 7,000 strangers when air space was closed on Sept. 11, 2001. Jessica Fisch directs. From Aug. 26-Oct. 18 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets: $78+. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
• Mark Pracht’s “Shane” is a world premiere adaptation of Jack Schaefer’s classic Western novel about a mysterious stranger who takes a job as a farm hand in the Wyoming Territory in 1889. Pracht directs. From Aug. 21-Oct. 4 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $40. Visit citylit.org.

• Hell in a Handbag Productions presents a revival of David Cerda’s “Joan Crawford Goes to Hell,” a campy roller coaster ride that explores the life of the legendary Hollywood star. Cheryl Snodgrass directs. From Aug. 21-Sept. 27 at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $39, $52. Visit handbagproductions.org.
• Jackalope Theatre’s 17th annual Living Newspaper Festival is inspired by the Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project which featured stories based on recent events. Each night includes five one-act plays: Madie Dopelt’s “Picture Day,” Anelga Hajjar’s “Let Them Eat Cake,” Aurora Real de Asua’s “Fellow Mortals,” Netta Walker’s “Turning” and Ike Holter’s “The Day the Night Came Down.” From Aug. 20-24 at The Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway. Tickets: $20-$35. Visit jackalopetheatre.org.

• “Vape! The Grease Parody” an Off-Broadway spoof of the beloved stage and film musical “Grease,” pokes fun at the plot’s outrageous characters, rivalries and secret romances. Jack Plotnick directs. From Aug. 20-Jan. 3 at Apollo Theater, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $45-$65. Visit vapemusical.com.
• Chicago Puppet Lab Showcase features two programs of work by eight Chicago artists who have spent the past eight months in residence at the lab. They are Rachel Anne Healy, Raven See, Mikayla Wilson, Zachery Sun (Program A) and Ashwaty Chennat, Jerrell L. Henderson, Abby Palen and Just D’Acci (Program B). From Aug. 20-23 at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets: $15 per program. Visit chicagopuppetfest.org.
• Nothing Without a Company presents “The Trouble With My Hair: Coloring, Cutting and Coming into Who I Am,” Ada Cheng’s solo piece, which explores gender, sexual identity and boundary-making through her evolving relationship with her hair and hairstyle. Jessica Lynn Johnson directs. From Aug. 21-30 at various locations. Tickets: $15-$50. For locations, visit nothingwithoutacompany.org.

• “Cracks” is Claire Lochmueller’s dark comedy memoir that details her journey from a childhood in the Catholic Church and ROTC military school to a career as an award-winning trans theater-maker. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21-22 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $15-$30. Visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.

• Playmaker’s Laboratory celebrates the 25th anniversary of “That’s Weird, Grandma” with five performances featuring adaptations of stories written during creative writing residencies in Chicago elementary schools. From Aug. 23-Sept. 6 at The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. Tickets: $26.06, $15.76 for ages 4-15, children 3 and under free. Visit playmakerslab.org.

Dance

• The Chicago Dance Health Fund presents its annual fundraiser, Dance for Life, which features performances by The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, Trinity Irish Dance Company, Visceral Dance Chicago, Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Ballet 5:8, Chicago Dance Crash and Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $65+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Music

• Fans were thrilled when Alabama Shakes reunited in early 2025 after not performing together since 2017. Now on a continuing reunion tour, Brittany Howard, Heath Fogg and Zac Cockrell rekindle the electrifying chemistry that defines the band’s distinctive take on Southern rock, soul and blues. Liam Kazar opens at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $78+. Visit ravinia.org.
• Grammy-winning neo-soul artist Jill Scott (she’s also a bestselling poet and actor) tours behind her new album, “To Whom This May Concern,” her first release since 2015. In town for a three-night stand, Scott will dive into her accomplished songbook. Wyatt Waddell opens. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20, 22-23 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets: $180+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• Sunday in the Park with Lyric features artists from the Ryan Opera Center performing a variety of selections conducted by music director Enrique Mazzola with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. At 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Admission is free. Visit lyricopera.org.

• Robert’s Westside and WBEZ host the fifth annual Food Aid Festival, a two-day fundraiser to benefit local organizations that address food insecurity. Headlining the event are singer-songwriter Joe Pug (8:30 p.m. Aug. 21, $40+) and blues great Shemekia Copeland (8 p.m. Aug. 22, $55+). Both shows are preceded by a two-hour DJ set. There’s also a block party from noon-6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 with music by High & Lonesome, Strawdaddy, Pipes, GirlCade and more (free, donations appreciated). At 7321 Madison St., Forest Park. Visit robertswestside.com.
• Deb Never grew up in Spokane, Washington, where she was influenced by the area’s grunge history as she taught herself to play guitar. Songwriting followed. Now based in Los Angeles, she tours behind her new album, “Arcade,” that shifts her alt-rock sound into an intimate alt-pop mood. Juliet Ivy opens at 9 p.m. Aug. 25 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $23.48. Visit emptybottle.com.

Museums

• “From the Center: Looking at Lucy Lippard” is inspired by the wide impact of the research, writings, activism and exhibitions of the art historian, critic and curator. Laid out in three sections, the exhibit shows how Lippard’s multidisciplinary career has been foundational to modern and contemporary art. Highlighted in the exhibit are more than 40 artists including Jo Baer, Andrea Bowers, Robert Colescott, Fred Lonidier, Ana Mendieta and Adrian Piper, among others. From Aug. 26-July 11 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Admission: $10-$22. Visit mcachicago.org.

• “The Symbol of Safety: The Story of Underwriters Laboratories and the Creation of Safety Science,” explores how the Chicago-founded organization helped create the field of safety science and shape safety practices worldwide. Includes artifacts, historical documents and personal stories. Begins Aug. 26 at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Admission: $17-$24. Visit chicagohistory.org.

Movies

• The Greatest Showman: Five by William Castle showcases the director’s classic thrillers: “13 Ghosts,” “House on Haunted Hill,” “Mr. Sardonicus,” “Straight-Jacket” and “The Tingler.” Each screening features the legendary stunts, tricks and audience participation that debuted with these films in the ’50s and ’60s turning the experience into a carnival of horror. From Aug. 21-27 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Tickets: $16. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

• A special screening of “Grease,” the 1978 hit film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, features on-screen lyrics for a sing-along of iconic tunes such as “Summer Nights” and “You’re the One That I Want.” At 6 p.m. Aug. 23 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $35. Visit ravinia.org.

Family fun

• Divi Roxx Kids features Grammy-nominated bass virtuoso Divinity Roxx (she’s toured with Victor Wooten and Beyonce) performing songs from her family-centric albums, “Ready Set Go” and “World Wide Playdate.” At 1:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $20. Visit ravinia.org.

• The Morton Arboretum has introduced three new nature-based learning environments in its Children’s Garden. Families can explore interactive experiences that encourage conversation, movement, creativity and connection, including a vegetable garden inspired by “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” that supports literacy and storytelling. Open daily 9 a.m.-sunset 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle; admission prices vary. Visit mortonarb.org.

Festival fun

• Chalk Howard Street is a 3D chalk art festival showcasing national and local street artists. Plus there’s music, immersive street art experiences and more. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 22 on Howard Street from Paulina Street to Ashland Avenue. Admission is free. Visit rpba.org.
• Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival includes 150 juried artists showing paintings, sculpture, jewelry, mixed media, photography and more. Plus there’s also personalized poems, a children’s art area and living art (face painting and henna body art). From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 22 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 23 at 800 Chicago St., Evanston. Admission is free. Visit amdurproductions.com.
• You’ll find everything from traditional carne asada to creative fusion flavors at Lakeview Taco Fest where local taquerias and eateries vie for the coveted title “Best Taco.” Plus music and a family area with games, face painting and more. From 4-10 p.m. Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 22 and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 23 on Southport Avenue from Addison Street to Roscoe Street. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit chicagoevents.com.