Things to do in Chicago Feb. 6-12: The Mix

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Theater

Helen Hunt from TV’s “Mad About You,” “House” actor Robert Sean Leonard and stage veteran Ian Barford star in Nobel Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter’s drama “Betrayal.” As her marriage to Robert comes to an end, Emma reconnects with Jerry, her former lover and her husband’s best friend. As the drama unspools backward in time, it uncovers hidden truths. Susan V. Booth directs. From Feb. 8-March 16 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $25-$165. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
The Gift Theatre presents the world premiere of “Cygnus,” Susan Soon He Stanton’s play about a woman (Angela Morris) who believes an angel rescued her from an ineffable trauma; the truth may prove stranger than she imagines. Brittany Burch directs. From Feb. 6-March 16 at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $35. Visit thegifttheatre.org.

Kelly Felthous (from left), Michelle Lauto and Teressa LaGamba in “Waitress.”

Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson’s musical “Waitress” is the story of a server (Michelle Lauto) stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage, who hopes to bake her way out of trouble. Katie Spelman directs. From Feb. 12-March 30 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora. Tickets: $28-$85. Visit paramountaurora.com.

Dance

“For Crying Out Loud” by Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Complexions Contemporary Ballet performs the Chicago premiere of “For Crying Out Loud,” a piece which blends dance and the music of U2. The evening also includes a mixed repertory of works from the company’s 30-year history: “This Time, With Feeling,” “Deeply,” “Ave Maria,” “Gone” and “Mercy.” At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $39+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
Dance Chicago presents “Dances from the Heart,” a program featuring works performed in a variety of styles by Chicago dance companies including Gus Giordano Company, Ballet 5:8, Comedy Dance Chicago, Elevations Studio Company, Footprints Tap Ensemble, Hip Hop ConnXion, On Broadway Dancers and more. At 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $19-$49. Visit athenaeumcenter.org.

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Music

Sondra Radvanovsky will sing three recitals with the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky performs Puccini’s most iconic arias — “Vissi d’arte” (“Tosca”) and “Un bel di vedremo” (“Madama Butterfly”) — as well as selections from “La Boheme,” “Turandot,” “Manon Lescaut” and more. Enrique Mazzola conducts the Lyric Opera Orchestra. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Feb. 13 and 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $69+. Visit lyricopera.org.
Blind Pilot recently released “In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain,” the band’s first new album in eight years. NPR Music calls songwriter Israel Nebeker’s 11 songs “elegant, thoughtful reflections.” Americana singer-songwriters Viv & Riley open. At 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. Tickets: $30. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
Civic Orchestra of Chicago performs Boulanger’s “D’un matin de printemps,” Debussy’s “La mer” and Ravel’s Piano Trio. Alexander Shelley conducts. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: pay-what-you-can beginning at $5. Visit cso.org.

Glasgow’s Britpop band Travis tours behind the new album “L.A. Times.” It’s inspired by frontman Fran Healy’s experiences living in Los Angeles and is an exploration of displacement in a new environment. Akira Galaxy opens at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $49.50-$75. Visit jamusa.com.
On her third album, “Petrichor,” singer and rapper 070 Shake (Danielle Balbuena) experiments with a blend of hip-hop, rock and pop on songs that continue her excavation of love and romance. Opening is singer-songwriter Bryant Barnes. At 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $37+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Samora Pinderhughes

Sonia Broman
Juilliard-trained pianist, vocalist and composer Samora Pinderhughes is known for examining sociopolitical issues and fighting for change through his art. His recent album “Venus Smiles Not in the House of Tears,” is filled with contemplative piano pieces, soulful band jams and choir celebrations. Elliott Skinner opens at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western. Tickets: $22, $25. Visit constellation-chicago.com.
Ronnie Baker Brooks and his band performs their potent brand of blues which adds rock, funk and soul to the mix. At 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $25. Visit evanstonspacemusic.com.

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Museums

Discover the history and architectural richness of the Driehaus Museum through the eyes of 14 Midwest artists in the exhibit “A Tale of Today: Materialities.” The artists are Rebecca Beachy, Jonas Becker, Olivia Block, Barbara Cooper, Richard Hunt, IOTO, Beth Lipman, Luftwerk, Dakota Mace, Bobbi Meier, Laleh Motlagh, Ebony G. Patterson, Jefferson Pinder and Edra Soto. From Feb. 7-April 25 at Driehaus Museum, 50 E. Erie. Admission: $10-$20. Visit driehausmuseum.org.

Movies

“Persepolis” screens at the Festival of Films from Iran at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

The 36th annual Festival of Films from Iran looks back at some of the films that have defined the last 30+ decades of Iranian cinema. Among the 10 films are Abbas Kiarostami’s “Close Up,” Dariush Mehrjui’s “Leila,” Majid Majidi’s “Children of Heaven,” Marjane Satrapi’s “Persepolis,” Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation” and “Panah Panahi’s “Hit the Road.” From Feb. 7-13 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $13. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
“A Symphonic Night at the Movies: Singin’ in the Rain” features a screening of Stanley Donen’s film classic with the Lyric Opera Orchestra performing the score; Nicholas Buc conducts. Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, it’s a movie about making movies as the silent era ends and talkies take over. At 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $29+. Visit lyricopera.org.
Music Box Theatre and The Salt Shed present Crying at the Shed, a three-day film festival including Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet,” Wong Kar-wai’s “Chungking Express,” Tim Burton’s “Big Fish,” James Gray’s “Two Lovers,” Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood” and Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life.” Opening night includes a performance by singer Julianna Barwick. From Feb. 12-14 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $12+, $90 festival pass. Visit saltshedchicago.com.
The Muddy Waters MOJO Museum presents a screening of “Roots and Blues,” a documentary celebrating the legacy of legendary blues musician Muddy Waters. Includes a Q&A with the filmmakers. At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60^th. Admission is free; donations accepted. Visit mojomuseum.com/documentary.

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Family Fun

Visit sunny Jamaica with a stop at Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” a play infused with the reggae sounds of classic Marley hits. It’s the story of a young boy who is afraid to leave the house but with the help of his feathered friends learns “every little thing is gonna be alright.” From Feb. 8-March 2 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $30.50, $21.50. Visit greenhousetheater.org.
“Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a 75-minute version of The Bard’s magic- and enchantment-filled comedy about a quartet of lovesick young people. Edward Hall directs. From Feb. 8-March 8 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand. Tickers: $42, $26. Visit chicagoshakes.com.

Kids play at the 2024 Argyle Lunar New Year Parade.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year (the Year of the Snake) at two colorful parades. Argyle Lunar New Year Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Feb. 8 at Argyle and Sheridan, and Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade at 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at 24th and Wentworth. Expect floats, marching bands and traditional dancing dragons and lions. Visit exploreuptown.org and ccc-foundation.org.