Theater
- Be in the theater where it happens when “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical based on Ron Chernow’s bestselling biography, returns for an eight-week run. Tyler Fauntleroy stars as Alexander Hamilton; Thomas Kail directs. From March 4-April 26 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St. Tickets: $40-$159. Also the Ham4Ham digital lottery will offer 40 tickets ($10 each) for every performance. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- Playwright Nilo Cruz weaves a tale of oppression and the human spirit in “Two Sisters and a Piano,” a drama about two Cuban sisters (Neysha Mendoza Castro and Andrea San Miguel) who dream of their freedom in a world of shifting global politics. Lisa Portes directs. From Feb. 26-March 29 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Tickets: $35-$95. Visit writerstheatre.org.
- Austrian playwright Elfriede Jelinek’s “Charges (The Supplicants)” was originally written to address the global refugee crisis. For this production, co-directors Melissa Lorraine and Héctor Álvarez mine the text for truths about a world of closed borders and violent deportations. From Feb. 26-March 29 at Theatre Y, 3611 W. Cermak Road. Admission is free. RSVP at theatre-y.com.
- John Reeger’s “Changing Channels” is a historical political drama set during the McCarthy-era “Red Scare” about a television comedy actress who is suspected of having Communist Party ties. Kevin Theis directs. From Feb. 27-April 12 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $40. Visit citylit.org.
- Chicago Opera Theater presents Kurt Weill’s anti-fascist drama with music, “Der Silbersee: Win Wintermarchen,” which was banned by the Nazi regime after its 1933 premiere. Lawrence Edelson directs. At 7:30 p.m. March 4 and 3 p.m. March 7-8 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $50-$150. Visit cot.org.
Dance
- Trinity Irish Dance Company performs a mixed repertoire program featuring the world premiere of Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland’s “Pasture Bedtime, Bleating Hearts,” Michelle Dorrance’s “SÉseacht” and Mark Howard, Chelsea Hoy and Stephanie Martinez’s “The Sash.” At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $35+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- Winifred Haun & Dancers presents First Draft: New Work by Chicago-Area Dancemakers, a program featuring works by Eona Carey, Darryl Clark, Robin Davis, Vernon Gooden, Winifred Haun, Denita Inez, TJ Morris, Regina Perry-Carr, Julia Schaeffer, Dillon Zamora and Little Fire Artist Collective. At 7 p.m. Feb. 28 and 3:30 p.m. March 1 at Visceral Dance Center, 3121 N. Rockwell St. Tickets: $49+. Visit winifredhaun.org.
Music
- Margo Price proved she was a force in Nashville with her debut solo breakthrough “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter,” an album that signaled insurgent country could exist alongside the mainstream. Her most recent effort, “Hard Headed Woman” is inspired in part by the music legends whom she now calls colleagues and friends. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. Tickets: $30. Visit jamusa.com.
- The Blind Boys of Alabama are living legends of gospel music. In a career that spans 70 years, the quartet is known for crossing musical boundaries and collaborating with a long list of artists including Lou Reed, Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Ben Harper and many more. At 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $78.58-$91.24. Visit evanstonspace.com.
- Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials celebrate the release of its 10th album, “Slideways,” which delivers more of the band’s wickedly playful Chicago blues. At 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets: $24.38. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
- After releasing two EPs last year — “Come Home” and “If You Survive” — Chicago power pop band Time Thieves now celebrate the release of a full-length vinyl release. Also on the bill: Josh Caterer Trio, Al Scorch and Earl Gary. At 9 p.m. Feb. 26 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $20.39. Visit emptybottle.com.
- The Bach + Beethoven Experience presents the world premiere of Native composer Brandi Berry Benson’s new work, “Songs of the Chickasaws: Epic Tales Told Through Music.” Written for an ensemble of both western and Indigenous instruments, the piece is designed to capture the majesty and richness of the Chickasaw heritage through music. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 4 p.m. March 1 at The CheckOut, 4116 N. Clark St. Tickets: $20.77. Visit bbexperience.org.
Movies
- The Chicago Irish Film Festival returns with a lineup of feature films, documentaries and shorts that capture the evolving voice of Irish storytelling. The opening night film is Ruan Magan’s “Báite,” a mystery about a Dublin detective who unsettles a rural town when he arrives to investigate a murder. The festival films can also be screened online. From Feb. 26-March 1 at AMC Newcity, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave. Tickets: $14, online tickets $8, festival passes available. Visit chicagoirishfilmfestival.com.
Museums
- “Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas,” an exhibit drawn from the collection of the artist’s paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, offers a view of Thomas’ evolving practice during her most prolific period, from 1959-78. Thomas developed her vibrant form of abstraction late in life after retiring from a long career as a teacher to become a singular figure in 20th-century American Art. To July 5 at Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Admission is free. Visit smartmuseum.uchicago.edu.
- South Asia Institute’s newest exhibition, “Transforming Legacies,” presents story paintings spanning 14 centuries of South Asian narrative traditions. Showcasing 36 paintings from the Hundal Collection, the exhibit explores how these centuries-old stories are renewed and reimagined for the modern world. To Dec. 12 at South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave. Admission is by donation. Visit saichicago.org.
Family fun
- “Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake” is an adventure with songs and puppets about a brave crew of young sailors and their animal friends who must put the moon back together after it falls into the lake and breaks into pieces. Jamal Howard and Ellie Levine co-direct. From Feb. 28-March 8 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $13, $18, free for 12 months and younger. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
- Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 20th Birthday Bash begins with two performances of “A Piece of Cake” (9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 and March 1, $10), an immersive sensory experience for ages 1-6. An all-ages birthday party (1-3 p.m., free with RSVP) features interactive art, music with beat boxer Yuri Lane and play activities that engage all eight senses. At Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
- Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade steps off at 1 p.m. March 1 at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and travels north on Wentworth. Featured are traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, floats, marching bands and more. For more information, visit ccc-foundation.org.
- Families can enjoy meal deals during Greektown Restaurant Week at classic as well as recently opened eateries along Halsted Street, as well as during Rosemont Restaurant Week when diners can enjoy curated prix fixe, three-course menus at a range of restaurants. Both events run March 1-7. For a list of participating restaurants, visit greektownchicago.org and rosemontrestaurantweek.com.