Theater
- Conor McPherson’s adaptation of August Strindberg’s “The Dance of Death” is the story of a married couple celebrating 25 years together who find the delicate balance of their tedious arrangement cracking when a visitor arrives. Steppenwolf ensemble members Jeff Perry, Cliff Chamberlain and Kathryn Erbe star; fellow ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs. From Jan. 29-March 22 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $54.50+. Visit steppenwolf.org.
- Robert Falls directs “Holiday,” late playwright Richard Greenberg’s contemporary adaptation of Philip Barry’s romantic comedy that inspired the Cary Grant/Katharine Hepburn film of the same title. From Jan. 31-March 1 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $34+. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
- “Dear Evan Hansen” is the Tony Award-winning musical about an anxious teen (Cody Combs) who, in an attempt to fit in, invents a starring role for himself in a tragedy and is caught in the lie. Jessica Fisch directs. From Feb. 4-March 22 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets: $35.25+. Visit paramountaurora.com.
- Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” is a playful opera about two young couples cast into a world of disguise, temptation and surprising emotional turns. From Feb. 1-15 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets: $47+. Visit lyricopera.org.
- “Short Shakespeare! Hamlet” is a 75-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of the young Prince of Denmark. Jaylon Muchison stars; Edward Hall directs. From Jan. 31-Feb. 28 at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $39, $57. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
- Porchlight Music Theatre presents “The Irish … and How They Got That Way,” Frank McCourt’s musical history of Ireland. David Girolmo directs. From Jan. 31-March 15 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $24-$110. Visit porchlightmusictheatre.org.
- Dominique Morisseau’s “Confederates” leaps through time to trace the identities of two Black women as they raise their voices against racism and misogyny. Aaron Reese Boseman directs. From Jan. 29-March 8 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $5-$60. Visit redtwisttheatre.org.
- Collaboraction reprises its award-winning docu-drama “Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till,” which transforms the trial’s transcript into an immersive theatrical experience. Co-directed by Anthony Moseley and Dana N. Anderson. From Feb. 1-March 1 at Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave. Tickets: $25-$55. Visit collaboraction.org.
- Buffalo Theatre Ensemble stages “Unnecessary Farce,” Paul Slade Smith’s comedy about a pair of inept police officers. Kurt Naebig directs. From Jan. 29-March 1 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $45. Visit atthemac.org.
- The story collective Sweat Girls returns with “Sweatatorship” and more timely observations drawn from their lives. From Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park Rd. Tickets: $22, $25. Visit sweatgirls.org.
Music
- Progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters tours behind their new album, “20/20” (due out on Feb. 13). The band formed in the early 2000s when the members were performing as side-men with stalwarts of the bluegrass community. They sought to present something new and different, a goal that continues with the roster of new songs. At 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $39.96. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
- Broadway legend Patti LuPone presents her theatrical concert, “Matters of the Heart,” a journey exploring the mysteries of the heart via more than two dozen love songs. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $59+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- Chicago native Liam Kazar, who’s recently been on the road as a member of Jeff Tweedy’s “Twilight Override” tour, takes time out to perform songs from his sophomore album, “Pilot Light.” At 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $23.87. Visit evanstonspace.com.
- Julia Keefe Indigenous Jazz Ensemble features musicians from North and South America performing music drawn from Indigenous musical traditions and the untold legacy of Native jazz pioneers. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Tickets: $12-$43. Visit chicagopresents.uchicago.edu.
- Huzam Ensemble, led by Egyptian percussionist and composer Karim Nagi, performs original and traditional music from various Arab regions and genres. At 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave. Tickets: $20. Visit epiphanychi.com.
Museums
- “Carroll Dunham: Drawings, 1974-2024” is the first comprehensive museum survey focused exclusively on the artist’s drawings from the last 50 years. The drawings are derived from the thousands Dunham has organized into a vast archive. From Jan. 31-June 1 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.
Movies
- “Lo-Fi Sci-Fi” showcases eight films that employ imaginative approaches to the science fiction genre. Films include Darren Aronofsky’s “Pi,” Saul Williams’ “Neptune Frost,” George Lucas’ “THX 1138,” Michel Gondry’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Jean-Luc Godard’s “Alphaville” and more. From Jan. 30-Feb. 24 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $15.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
Family fun
- Filled with creative puppets, “The Enormous Crocodile” is a musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story about a very hungry crocodile and the jungle animals who must foil his secret plans and clever tricks. Emily Lim directs. From Jan. 29-Feb. 21 at Studebaker Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $30-$68, children $20-$54. Visit fineartsbuilding.com/events.
- DRUMline Live is based on the Historically Black College and University marching band tradition. Includes original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of Top 40 hits. At 3 p.m. Feb. 1 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $73+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- The frigid temperatures come in handy when Live Ice Sculpting returns to the Lake View/Roscoe Village area. At this free event, master carvers from Johnson Studios Ice Sculptures turn blocks of ice into unique creations based on audience interaction. From 2-4 p.m. Jan. 31 at CTA Paulina Brown Line Station, 3411 N. Paulina Ave., and noon-2 p.m. Feb. 1 at St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W. Wellington Ave. Visit lakeviewssa27.com.
- Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show is a showcase of hundreds of new boats in addition to plenty of fun for all ages including a Paddlefest Pool (try paddleboarding or kayaking), Bumper Boats (think bumper cars but with boats), Huck Finn Trout Pond (kids fish for free) and Boatgating (Jan. 31 only), a football-themed event with interactive programming and appearances by legendary Chicago football players. From Jan. 28-Feb. 1 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Admission: $12-$17; children 12 and under free. Visit chicagoboatshow.com.