19 things to do in Chicago March 26-April 1

4 weeks ago

The Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz,” William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls’ twist on “The Wizard of Oz,” re-imagines Dorothy’s journey with soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk. Dana Cimone stars; Schele Williams directs. From March 31-April 5 at Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $43-$121. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is set in 1927 Chicago as “The Mother of the Blues” takes her time getting ready to record. Meanwhile tensions rise as the waiting musicians recount tales of rage, joy, betrayal and faith. Chuck Smith directs with music direction by Harry J. Lennix. From March 28-April 26 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $34-$104. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
The Artistic Home presents “The Sugar Wife,” Elizabeth Kuti’s drama about a Quaker woman who is torn between her work with the city’s poor and her husband’s business built on the exploitation of the poor. Kevin Hagan directs. From March 28-May 3 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $35. Visit theatrewit.org.
Idle Muse Theatre stages Robert Kauzlaric’s adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ novel, “The Three Musketeers,” a swashbuckling tale of intrigue, adventure and fellowship. Evan Jackson directs. From March 26-April 25 at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit idlemuse.org.

Her Story Theatre presents “The Official Biography,” Kurt McGinnis Brown’s drama about a young Black journalist (Shelby Marie Edwards) assigned to interview a once-successful white novelist (Gary Houston) and write a scathing expose. From March 28-April 19 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $40. Visit thedentheatre.com.
Second Site stages Rachel DuBose’s “The Beauty Project,” an immersive theatrical experience that speaks to the issues of identity, belonging and quality of life. At 7 p.m. March 28-29 at Freyja Salon, 4955 N. Damen Ave., and 6:30 p.m. April 4 at Fortune House, 4410 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Tickets: sliding scale from $30 to pay-what-you-can. Visit second-site.org.

Red Clay Dance Company’s La Femme Dance Festival showcases Black women in dance with tap ensemble Syncopated Ladies, Red Clay’s world premiere of Rena Butler’s “Her Table” and a reprise of Vershawn Sanders-Ward’s “Unconditional Conditions” and “Love Letters,” and South Chicago Dance Theatre performing an excerpt from Kia S. Smith’s “Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley.” At 7:30 p.m. March 28 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $19-$59. Visit redclaydance.com.

Riverdance 30 – The Next Generation features the ensemble’s trademark fusion of Irish and international dance and music, resulting in a performance filled with mesmerizing choreography backed by infectious music. From March 27-29 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets: $61-$176. Visit paramountaurora.com.

“Miles Davis at 100” includes performances by Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba with a solo tribute to the legendary jazz artist and John Beasley’s “Unlimited Miles” project, which connects Davis’ rich legacy with the vibrant future it continues to inspire. At 8 p.m. March 27 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $49+. Visit cso.org.

Isaac Slade, best known as the former front man of The Fray, is in the midst of his first solo tour. Each performance takes audiences on a musical journey through Slade’s life from chart-topping hits to new material and the songs that first lit the spark for him as a young artist. At 7:30 p.m. March 27 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $59.68. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.

Mei Semones creates jazz-influenced indie pop songs with lyrics in both Japanese and English. She hones her signature fusion of indie rock, bossa nova, jazz and chamber pop in a way that highlights her technical prowess on guitar. John Roseboro opens at 8 p.m. April 1 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $33.90. Visit evanstonspace.com.

One of dance music’s hottest rising acts, oskar med k, blends EDM with a pop sensibility creating minimal, atmospheric music made for the dance floor. Nanoos opens at 8 p.m. March 26 at Outset, 1675 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $53+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Cajun slide guitar great Sonny Landreth and his band share a double bill with New Orleans Latin-Americana rockers The Iguanas at 8 p.m. March 27 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $61. Visit oldtownschool.org.

“Three Generations Intertwined by Lace” features more than 50 garments that illuminate how lace has been preserved, transformed and reimagined across generations. The exhibit, curated by Joseph Da’Ponte, president of the Puerto Rican Fashion History Council, pays tribute to fashion designers Mili Arango, Lisa Cappalli and Cecilia Fernandez Cappalli whose work collectively traces the evolution of lace in Puerto Rican fashion. To Jan. 9 at National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 W. Division St. Admission is free. Visit nmprac.org.

Steven Spielberg’s 1981 adventure classic, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” starring Harrison Ford, is screened as The Chicago Philharmonic performs John Williams’ Grammy Award-winning score. At 7:30 p.m. March 28 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $127+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
“Truth to Self: An Evening of Short Films” is an evening of works by women South Asian filmmakers based in Chicago: Imaan Hasan, Saloni Nahar and Eesha Patkar. At 3 p.m. March 28 at South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $7.18. Visit saichicago.org.

TheaterWorksUSA presents “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System” is based on the popular children’s book about a teacher, the indomitable Ms. Frizzle, who takes her class on an adventure across the galaxy. At 7 p.m. March 27 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $17-$24. Visit atthemac.org.
Groundwaves Generations features West Coast rapper and innovator MURS for an afternoon of live performance, intergenerational activities, interactive exhibits, food and refreshments. From 1-4 p.m. March 29 and select Sundays through August at National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada St. Admission is free. Visit nphm.org.
Just in time for spring break, Shedd Aquarium is offering extended hours through April 4. Children of all ages can tap into their curiosity and embrace the unexpected as they explore aquatic ecosystems from around the world. 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Admission prices vary. For more information, visit sheddaquarium.org.