Theater
- In Itamar Moses’ darkly funny play, “The Ally,” a well-meaning college professor finds himself engulfed in a firestorm when he signs a student petition condemning police brutality. Jeremy Wechsler directs. From March 20-May 2 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $18-$44. Visit theaterwit.org.
- Gabriela Lena Frank and Nilo Cruz’s “El último sueño de Frida y Diego” reunites artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in a dreamlike journey through memories of love, passion and art with music inspired by Mexican folk traditions. From March 21-April 4 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets: $52+. Visit lyricopera.org.
- The Gift Theatre begins its 25th anniversary season with “Ten 25th,” a festival of 10-minute plays by Chicago playwrights John Gawlik, Jennifer Rumberger, Gregory Fenner, Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Dolores Diaz, Stephanie Alison Walker, Emilio Williams, Jermaine Jenkins and Brett Neveu. From March 25-April 4 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets: $25. Visit thegifttheatre.org.
- Preston Max Allen’s drama “Modern Gentleman” is the story of 28-year-old Adam who after a breakup must navigate the world of dating for the first time since coming out as a trans man and finally confront his complicated relationship to his identity. Landree Fleming directs. From March 19-April 18 at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets: $25-$75. Visit aboutfacetheatre.com.
- Stanislaw I. Witkiewicz’s “The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview” is a satire about an artist torn between integrity and survival, freedom and obedience. Nicole Wiesner directs. From March 19-April 25 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland St. Tickets: $32. Visit trapdoortheatre.com.
- In “The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana,” playwright Gwyneth Forsythe digs into the story of the creator of the Aqua Tofana poison who in 1659 was executed for the murder of 600 men. Sydney Genco stars; Cheryl Snodgrass directs. From March 20-April 5 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $25. Visit thedentheatre.com.
- Magician Luis Carreon presents his new show, “Intimo,” an intimate, close-up performance that showcases Carreon’s refined sleight-of-hand talent. From March 25-June 24 at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. Tickets: $42.50, $47.50. Visit chicagomagiclounge.com.
Dance
- Evanston Dance Ensemble’s “Ramble On: EDE Rocks” is a program of dance inspired by the expansive reach of rock and roll with choreographers creating pieces to music by Elton John, The Beatles, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin and more. From March 19-22 at Josephine Louis Theater, Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Drive. Tickets: $12-$30. Visit evanstondanceensemble.org.
- Center Stage at Ruth Page includes performances by Hedwig Dances, Boykin Dance Project, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Seldoms, The Jazz Hoofing Quartet and more. At 7 p.m. March 20-21 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $30, $50 for both performances. Visit ruthpage.org.
- Natya Dance Theatre continues its 50th anniversary season. At 7:30 p.m. March 19-20 and noon March 21 at Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit dance.colum.edu.
Music
- Opera is on the program when Riccardo Muti returns to lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in selections from Verdi’s passion-filled classics. With tenor Francesco Meli, soprano Lidia Fridman and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. At 7:30 p.m. March 19-21 at Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $49+. Visit cso.org.
- Cesar Rosas & the Chi-Town Playboys, a side project for the Los Lobos guitarist, features Rosas performing alongside Chicago musicians Dave Herrero, Scott Tipping, Brother John Kattke, Ari Seder, Chuck Lacy and Jose Rendon. At 8:30 p.m. March 20 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets: $29.53. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
- Guitarist-songwriter Charlie Parr is an interpreter of traditional music who is inspired by legends such as Lead Belly and Woody Guthrie. A bluesman poet, his performances are lessons steeped in the music styles of the past but filled with Parr’s lyrical craftmanship. At 8 p.m. March 20 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $20.63, $33.90. Visit evanstonspace.com.
- Now on its debut tour, The Ravi Shankar Ensemble is a multigenerational collective dedicated to presenting Ravi Shankar’s compositions and preserving the rich traditions of North Indian classical music. At 3 p.m. March 22 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $39+. Visit cso.org.
- Rock band Telescreens, named after the omnipresent surveillance devices in George Orwell’s “1984,” is known for high-voltage performances that highlight a wall of sound filled with intricate melodic details. Also on the bill is another New York band, Quarters, touring behind the new album, “I Hope This Isn’t the End of the World.” At 7 p.m. March 20 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $33.52. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
Museums
- “Perennial City: Experiments in Urban Gardening” uncovers the deep roots of Chicago’s urban gardening movement in the histories of immigrant communities and the Hull-House reformers who advocated for reform during the early 20th century. Includes archival materials, new art commissions and an installation produced by Red Line Service artists in a workshop facilitated by Melissa Hilliard Potter. From March 19-Dec. 15 at Jane Addams Hull House Museum, 800 S. Halsted St. Admission is free. Visit hullhousemuseum.org.
- “L.A. Woman: A Memorial Exhibition” celebrates the life of actress-filmmaker-artist Irene Antonovych who produced documentaries including a deeply personal film about Ukrainians in Chicago and, during a five-year-battle with Alzheimer’s disease, created paintings that remain a testament of her spirit that never quit. To May 10 at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W. Chicago Ave. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit uima-chicago.org.
Movies
- The 20th edition of Asian Pop-Up Cinema continues its presentation of work from established filmmakers and new voices across Asia. Films include Jil Wong Pak-kei’s sports comedy, “Pass and Goal,” about a team of underdogs fighting for athletic glory; and Eiji Uchida’s action comedy, “The Specials,” about a group of assassins who must transform into a pop dance group. From March 20-April 12 at AMC Newcity 14, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave. Ticket prices vary. Visit asianpopupcinema.org.
- Chicago European Film Festival Spotlight: Cyprus features 13 films highlighting the filmmakers and flavors from Europe’s sunniest country. The opening night film is “Smuggling Hendrix,” the story of a man’s quest to retrieve his dog from across the UN buffer zone. From March 20-22 Siskel Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $15 Siskel Film Center members, seniors, SAIC students, faculty, and staff; $20 general audiences. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
Family fun
- “Glow Wild: A Lantern Festival of Hope” is an after-hours display of more than 70 large handcrafted, illuminated animal lantern displays, which create an immersive journey that blends wonder, global culture and conservation storytelling. From 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday March 19-May 10 at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Admission: $19.95+, $9.95+ for children who are zoo members, $24.95, $14.95 for nonmembers. Visit brookfieldzoo.org/glow-wild.
- Wendy and DB’s family music concert blends blues, rock, roots music and storytelling into an interactive experience that inspires creativity and fun. At 11 a.m. March 21 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $16.26. Visit evanstonspace.com.