15 things to do this week in Chicago: Jan. 15-21

4 months ago

“Suzy Eddie Izzard Talks Shakespeare N’Stuff [Forsooth]” features the Tony-nominated and Emmy-winning Izzard in a completely unscripted appearance moderated by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Artistic Director Edward Hall and taking questions from the audience. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16-17 at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $80-$140. Visit chicagoshakes.com.

“Birds of North America” is Anna Ouyang Moench’s drama that looks at the relationship of a father and daughter over the course of a decade as they try to understand each other. John Judd and Cassidy Slaughter-Mason star; Kirsten Fitzgerald directs. From Jan. 15-Feb. 22 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets: $75. Visit aredorchidtheatre.org.
Ukrainian playwright Natalka Vorozhbyt’s “Green Corridors” uses elements of absurdity and dark humor to take a harrowing journey through a world fractured by war. From Jan. 15-Feb. 21 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland St. Tickets: $16-$35. Visit trapdoortheatre.com.

Steppenwolf’s 2026 Lookout Series gets underway with “The Uncanny Attic: Chapters E-H,” the second installment of A Beautifully Gruesome Production’s dark comedy anthology inspired by artist Edward Gorey’s macabre world. From Jan. 15-17 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $33-$43. Visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.
MPAACT presents Tina Fakhrid-Deen’s “Squat,” a drama about a couple who suspect their new neighbor, a social media fitness influencer, may not be who she says she is. From Jan. 16-March 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $26-$54. Visit mpaact.org.
Puppeteers from around the world come to town for the 2026 edition of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. The fest opens with Wakka Wakka’s “Dead as a Dodo” (Jan. 21-25 at Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave.; $40-$48). All-ages shows and adult late-night cabarets are offered as well as exhibits and interactive workshops. From Jan. 21-Feb. 1 at various venues. Ticket prices vary. Visit chicagopuppetfest.org.
Collaboraction presents a staged reading of “Lawndale King,” Willie Round’s new play about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time living in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. At 1 p.m. Jan. 19 at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Admission is free. Visit chicagohistory.org.

Jump blues and swing favorites, Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms, reunite for a two-night performance. Features the original lineup of the popular quartet: Sutton, Joel Paterson, Jonathan Doyle and Jim Barclay. At 8:30 p.m. Jan. 15-16 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road. Tickets: $29.53. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Chicago Opera Theater presents “In America’s Embrace: Celebrating Immigrant Composers,” a concert featuring works by Kurt Weill, Irving Berlin, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Igor Stravinsky, Aleksandra Vrebalov, André Previn and more. At 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $25+. Visit cot.org.
Mexico’s leading orchestra, Sinfónica de Minería, makes its Symphony Center debut performing works by Revueltas, Haydn and Paquito D’Rivera. At 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $39+. Visit cso.org.
Brighten up the winter doldrums with the Rebirth Brass Band. A New Orleans institution since 1983, the ensemble enhances its traditional brass band sound with an infusion of funk, soul, jazz and hip-hop. At 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $50.41. Visit evanstonspace.com.

“Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell” features fashion art created by the Tony-, Oscar- and Emmy-winning costume designer. Highlights include costumes from the “Wicked” films, “Hamilton” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” as well as Janelle Monae’s Met Gala looks. His narration, video, photos and sketches enhance the story of Tazewell’s creative journey. Opens Jan. 19 at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Admission: $25.95, $14.95 (ages 3-11). Visit griffinmsi.org.

The first mid-career survey in North America of the work of Firelei Báez features the artist’s drawings, paintings and installations that create fictional worlds exploring the legacies of colonial rule across the Americas and the African diaspora in the Caribbean and beyond. To May 31 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Admission: $10-$22. Visit mcachicago.org.

Children can foster an appreciation of the natural world and its creatures in “I Am Wild: A Charley Harper Exhibit,” which uses the artwork of the American Modernist artist’s colorful wildlife paintings to explore the flora and fauna of six different habitats: desert, ocean, rainforest, sky, woods and city. From Jan. 17-May 10 at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave. Admission: $21. Visit chicagochildrensmuseum.org.
Music Institute of Chicago presents “Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Concert” featuring performances by professional and student musicians and dancers including Hearing in Color, Evanston Children’s Choir, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and more. At 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Admission is free. Visit musicinst.org.