Theater
- Ang Lee’s film adaptation of Annie Proulx’s novel, “Brokeback Mountain,” won three Academy Awards in 2006. Now comes Ashley Robinson’s stage adaptation of Proulx’s story about two sheep herders, Ennis Del Mar (Harrison Ball) and Jack Twist (Jack Cameron Kay), whose hidden love spans 20 years. The drama is interwoven with Dan Gillespie Sells’ original country western songs. Jonathan Butterell directs. From May 28-June 28 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $65+, with $30 tickets for ages 30 and under. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
- Jackalope Theatre stages “Andy Warhol Presents: The Cocaine Play,” Terry Guest’s new play that asks the question: How far is one willing to go for the chance at superstardom? Guest directs. From May 28-July 6 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway. Tickets: $15-$45. Visit jackalopetheatre.org.
- “Keerah,” a world premiere dramedy by playwright-actress Netta Walker, follows a successful TV writer (Walker) who faces an unexpected reunion with the writer (Beck Nolan) from her past who inspired her hit series, which is based on their relationship. McKenzie Chinn directs. From May 29-June 28 at Definition Theatre, 1160 E. 55th St. Tickets: $25+. Visit definitiontheatre.org.
- Curious Theatre Branch begins its 38th season with Beau O’Reilly’s “Talking About Godard,” a play that revolves around three restless artists and examines female friendship in the ’90s. Directed with Briavael O’Reilly. From May 29-June 28 at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California Ave. Tickets: pay-what-you-can scale $10-$25. Visit curioustheatrebranch.com.
- Physical Theater Festival, the annual celebration of movement-based performance, showcases a variety of performing arts. Among the works are A Little Bit Off’s “Beau and Aero,” Compania de Teatro’s “Los Regalos/The Gifts,” Sora Baek’s “Sell Me: I am from North Korea” and more. From June 1-7 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave ($36) and Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. ($40). Festival passes available. Visit physicalfestival.com.
- Promethean Theatre Ensemble presents Lewis Galantiere’s adaptation of Jean Anouilh’s adaptation of Sophocles’ Greek tragedy “Antigone.” Anouilh’s play was first staged in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944 and was a covert nod to the French Resistance. Elaine Carlson directs. From May 31-June 27 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $35. Visit prometheantheatre.org.
- Chicago Opera Theater presents the world premiere of “Trusted,” Aaron Israel Levin (composer) and Marella Martin Koch’s (libretto) opera set against the backdrop of a high-stakes financial scandal. At 3 p.m. May 30 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $30-$70. Visit chicagooperatheater.org.
- Point2point productions presents the Tony Award-winning musical, “Jagged Little Pill,” inspired by the music of Alanis Morissette, that explores the complexities of the modern American family. From May 29 and 31, June 5-7 at The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Ct., Elgin. Tickets: $28. Visit schaumburgonstage.org.
Dance
- Chicago Repertory Ballet performs the revival of Wade Schaaf’s “The Rite of Spring,” as well as two world premieres: Yanis Eric Pikieris’ contemporary ballet “Beyond the Blue Line” and Schaaf’s “Pulse: ILTJ1101,” a fusion of neo-classical ballet and techno soundscapes. At 7:30 p.m. May 29-30 and 2 p.m. May 31 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $40+. Visit chicagorepertoryballet.com.
- Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater performs a new work by Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott plus Ulysses Dove’s “Episodes” and Nicole Clarke-Springer’s “Sacred Spaces.” At 7:30 p.m. May 30 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $40+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- Chicago Dance Month is the annual festival showcasing area dance companies and artists with performances, film screenings, workshops and neighborhood events. The festival begins May 30 at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) with performances by Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago Korean Dance Company, Hyde Park School of Dance and more. Events continue through June 27 at various locations. For more information, visit seechicagodance.com.
Music
- Rilo Kiley — Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder and Jason Boesel — released its first EP in 1999, recorded several albums and split up in 2011. Now after a detour into many of life’s milestones — marriages, kids, etc. — the indie rockers found their way back together for a reunion tour. A greatest hits album, “That’s How We Choose to Remember It,” was released last year. Jean-Luc Eldenwood opens at 7:30 p.m. May 29 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets: $76+. Visit jamusa.com.
- Jeff Tweedy returns with his annual benefit shows supporting local charities. Expect the usual solo acoustic, all-request performance featuring selections from his vast songbook ranging from Wilco to Uncle Tupelo. At 7:30 p.m. May 29 (May 30 show sold out) at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Tickets: $100. Visit jamusa.com.
- “The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music” is a remarkable project by guitarist Marisa Anderson. Culled from the private record collection of the late musicologist Harry Smith, Anderson chose nearly 1,000 songs focusing on music from places that the United States has been in conflict with since 1970. The project’s first release, “The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music vol. 1” charts a course from Afghanistan to Vietnam via Yemen, Cambodia and Turkmenistan. At 8:30 p.m. May 30 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $20, $25. Visit constellation-chicago.com.
- Members of the Ryan Opera Center — the Lyric Opera’s artist development program — and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago perform selections from works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Saint-Saëns and Copland. At 7:30 p.m. June 1 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $5+. Visit cso.org.
Museums
- “The Saturday Man: At the Edge of the Game” showcases the work of photographer Peter Robinson whose six-decade career includes 20 years as FIFA’s official photographer. The exhibit highlights soccer’s grassroots origins to today’s modern global spectacle along with its communities, rituals and personalities. From May 30-Aug. 9 at Cleve Carney Museum of Art, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Admission is free. Visit theccma.org.
Movies
- The Gene Siskel Film Center celebrates 25 years at its State Street home with the series 25 for 25, which revisits standout titles from the year 2001 onward. Kicking off the series are three beloved Chicago-set films: “High Fidelity” (May 30, June 2), “Cooley High” (May 30, and June 1-2) and “Call Northside 777” (May 30-31 and June 3). At 164 N. State St. Tickets: $15.50. For more films in the series, visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
- Chicago International Film Festival Summer Screenings pay homage to the classic road movie with a roster of feature films exploring what it means to hit the road in countries across the globe. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning June 3 with Piccolo Corpo’s “Small Body” at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; and 1 p.m. Saturdays beginning June 27 with John-Paul Davidson and Stephen Warbeck’s “The Three Urns” at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Films runs through Aug. 22. Admission is free. Reserve tickets at chicagofilmfestival.com.
- Nothing Without a Company, which is committed to telling stories through theater, is now expanding into film storytelling. The inaugural Not Without Company Film Festival features nine short films followed by a talkback with collaborating artists. From 10 a.m.-noon May 31 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Tickets: $25. Visit nothingwithoutacompany.org.
Family fun
- Lookingglass Theatre and Actors Gymnasium present “Ice Cream Circus,” an all-ages circus-infused story about the transformative magic of a simple act of kindness. Begins at 5 p.m. June 2 in Seneca Park, 220 E. Chicago Ave. and continues through June 7 in four more parks. Admission is free. For a list of parks, visit lookingglasstheatre.org/ice-cream-circus/.
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Children’s Garden has reopened and features an indoor state-of-the-art nature playscape that includes a slide, lookout nooks, a 20-foot net climbing tower, an art and nature gallery and a toddler area. From 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday at 300 N. Central Park Ave. Admission is free-$10. For reservations, visit garfieldconservatory.org/tickets.
Festival fun
- Porchfest Lakeview features local music acts performing across front porches throughout the Lake View neighborhood from 1-5 p.m. May 31. Enjoy an intimate live music experience while connecting with neighbors and supporting local musicians. A $10 fee for an event guide goes directly to paying musicians. Visit lakeviewroscoevillage.org.
- Windy City Hot Dog Fest offers area hot dog stands the chance to vie for Best Frankfurter with attendees acting as taster and judge. Plus a Top Dog (the furry kind) Parade, a hot dog eating contest, live music, children’s activities, and arts and crafts vendors. From 4-10 p.m. May 29 and noon-10 p.m. May 30-31 on Milwaukee Avenue from Irving Park Road to Belle Plaine Avenue. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit chicagoevents.com.
- Do Division Street Fest features live music programmed by the Empty Bottle and Subterranean. Plus eats from local restaurants and food trucks, vendors and artists, a petting zoo and other family activities. From 5-10 p.m. May 29, noon-10 p.m. May 30-31 on Division Street from Damen Avenue to Leavitt Street. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit westtownchamber.org.
- The Magnificent Mile Spring Art Fest showcases the work of 60 juried artists with jewelry, fashion, paintings, photography and more. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 30-31 in the plaza and sidewalks around 875 N. Michigan Ave. Admission is free. Visit amdurproductions.com.
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