Theater
- Giacomo Puccini’s heartbreaking opera, “Madama Butterfly,” the story of a faithful but doomed geisha (soprano Karah Son) in love with an American Navy lieutenant (tenor Evan LeRoy Johnson), is presented in Matthew Ozawa’s new reinterpretation, which encourages a deeper understanding of the story’s legacy and impact today. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. From March 14-April 12 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets: $52+. Visit lyricopera.org.
- “Fully Committed” is Becky Mode’s one-person comedy featuring Mike Newquist portraying nearly 40 characters in a behind-the-scenes look at New York’s hottest restaurant. Derek Bertelsen directs. From March 13-28 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $26. Visit thedentheatre.com.
- “Grelley Duvall Best Actress” is Alex Grelle’s two-act revue featuring award-winning performances and iconic cinematic moments that have inspired generations. Kasey Foster directs. From March 12-April 12 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Tickets: $25, $35. Visit chopintheatre.com.
- Walkabout Theater presents “Poor Poor Lear,” a dark comedy starring Nina Sallinen as a 90-year-old Grande Dame of the Scandinavian Theater, who has chosen Shakespeare’s “King Lear” as her final performance. At 7 p.m. March 12-14 and 3 p.m. March 15 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Tickets: $20. Visit walkabouttheater.org.
- The National Hellenic Museum presents “The Trial of Odysseus,” an unscripted mock trial of Homer’s hero who has returned from his long journey to find suitors seeking to claim his wife, property and throne, which culminates in the slaying of more than 100 men. The audience determines the final verdict. At 7 p.m. March 12 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $50. Visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org.
Dance
- “Winning Works” is the Joffrey Ballet’s annual showcase of new work by winners of its choreographic competition: Fran Diaz, Julia Feldman, DaYoung Jung, Daniel Ojeda and Alexandra Schooling. From March 13-22 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets: $35. Visit joffrey.org.
- The Seldoms perform the Chicago premiere of “Floe,” a multimedia dance theater work that examines the climate crisis. Choreographed by artistic director Carrie Hanson. At 7:30 p.m. March 12-13 at Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $35. Visit dance.colum.edu/events.
- Chicago Dance Crash presents “LXIV (six.four),” a genre-bending hip-hop theater work, inspired by the 1851 Immortal Chess Game, that blends theatrical storytelling with street dance forms. At 7:30 p.m. March 14-15 at Visceral Dance Center, 3121 N. Rockwell St. Tickets: $25. Visit chicagodancecrash.com.
Music
- Matt Berninger, best known for fronting Cincinnati’s The National, tours behind his second solo album, “Get Sunk,” a collection of songs that have been described as his most personal work to date. Suffering from writer’s block during the pandemic, he chose to write some lyrics on baseballs, which he says allowed him “to think more carefully about his word choices.” Singer-songwriter Ronboy (aka Julia Laws) opens at 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. Tickets: $58.74. Visit jamusa.com.
- British tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia and her ensemble weave together a sound that layers elements of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, dub, jazz and electronic. Completing the double bill is Grammy-nominated vocalist Somi Kakoma, who grew up in Illinois the daughter of immigrants from Rwanda and Uganda and discovered her musical identity traversing the cultural bridge between Africa and America. At 8 p.m. March 13 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $39+. Visit cso.org.
- Georgia singer-songwriter Clover County (aka A.G. Schiano) exists in the space between folk, Americana and alternative. Last fall, she dropped her debut album, “Finer Things,” a collection of dreamy, timeless songs. Ethansroom opens at 7 p.m. March 16 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $20.63-$29.43. Visit evanstonspace.com.
- Actor-composer-lyricist Michael Mahler explores Paul Simon’s iconic songbook filled with hit songs from “The Sounds of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “Late in the Evening.” At 7 p.m. March 16 and 1 p.m. March 17 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets: $65+. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, designated by Nelson Mandela as “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world” brings its uplifting vocal harmonies and signature dance moves to town for two performances at 3 and 6 p.m. March 14 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $59. Visit oldtownschool.org.
Museums
- “Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art” is the Art Institute’s largest exhibition devoted to Korean art in four decades. Included are modern and historical paintings, ceramics and objects made for Buddhist worship and scholarly study. These works of art demonstrate the artistic legacy produced on the Korean peninsula over millennia. To July 5 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.
Movies
- “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – In Concert” celebrates the film’s 25th anniversary with a screening of the film accompanied by 238 musicians — a symphony orchestra, chorus and soloists — performing Howard Shore’s Oscar and Grammy-winning score. At 7:30 p.m. March 13 and 2, 7:30 p.m. March 14 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $94+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- Trace the life and career of rock icon Billy Idol at a screening of the documentary“ Billy Idol Should Be Dead.” Now 70, Idol is nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026. At 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Tickets: $13.75. Visit jamusa.com.
Family fun
- Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform a show filled with classic songs and new tunes from his forthcoming album, “Brain Freeze.” Plus puppets, projected animation and door prizes. At 10:30 a.m. March 15 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $26. Visit oldtownschool.org.
- The finals of the poetry festival Young Chicago Authors’ Rooted and Radical features finalists from the Chicagoland area performing their original pieces. At 6 p.m. March 15 at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St. Tickets: $17.56 for students, $29.95 for adults. Visit youngchicagoauthors.org.
St. Patrick’s festivities
- This weekend it’s all about the Irish beginning with the annual dyeing of the Chicago River (10 a.m. March 14) followed by two traditional parades. The 71th annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the largest in the country, begins at noon March 14 and lasts for about three hours on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive (chicagostpatricksdayparade.org). The 48th annual South Side Irish Parade steps off at noon March 15 and lasts for about two hours on Western Avenue from 103rd Street to 115th Street in the Beverly neighborhood (southsideirishparade.org).
- One of the best area celebrations takes place at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. From 12:30-11 p.m. March 14 find a full lineup of Irish music, dance, food, children’s activities and more ($15-$30). On the day itself, from 2-10 p.m. March 17 enjoy music by Peter Brady and The Chancey Brothers ($15). Visit irish-american.org.
- Old St. Pat’s family-friendly Shamrock’n features Irish pub food, music, raffle and activities for children. From 11 a.m.-5 p.m. March 14 at 625 W. Adams St. Tickets: $35+, children 6-10 $10, free for 5 and under. Visit oldstpats.org/shamrockn.html.
- Shamrockin’ at the Pier is a pub crawl through restaurant/bars and a docked cruise ship that includes drink specials, live music, games and more. From 8 a.m.-7 p.m. March 14 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $20+. Visit navypier.org.