Theater
- “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is John Logan’s adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s film, a theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and love. Alex Timbers directs. From April 2-20 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $40-$135. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- Suzi-Lori Parks’ drama “The Book of Grace” revolves around a family reunion and the ensuing search for common ground that explodes in all directions. Namir Smallwood, Brian Marable and Zainab Jah star; Steve H. Broadnax III directs the Chicago premiere. From March 27-May 18 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Tickets: $20+. Visit steppenwolf.org.
- “The Listeners,” Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s new opera, follows the story of Claire (soprano Nicole Heaston), who is nearly driven mad by an unending, low-frequency hum that she constantly hears. She soon falls under the influence of a mysterious leader, an experience that blurs the lines between faith and fear. From March 30-April 11 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $42+. Visit lyricopera.org.
- Stage Left Theatre presents Stephanie Murphy’s new play, “The Distrikt of Lake Michigun,” which tells the mostly true story of how Streeterville, Chicago’s most expensive neighborhood, came into existence. The play is staged in Water Tower Place, a space that will allow for an environmental, participatory experience. Seth Wilson directs. From March 28-April 27 at Water Tower Place, 6th floor, 835 N. Michigan. Tickets: $40. Visit stagelefttheatre.com.
- “The Trial of Themistocles” features legal teams for and against Themistocles, the Greek commander who made Athens the world’s foremost naval power and who was also accused of betraying Athens to its greatest rival, the Persian King Ataxerxes I. Audience members will cast votes to decide the final verdict: hero or traitor? At 7 p.m. April 1 at Harris Theatre, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $100. Visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org.
- “Diary of a Black Illusionist” is a new show from Walter King Jr. aka “The Spellbinder” that combines magic and storytelling inspired by the energy of Chicago’s urban scene. From April 2-June 25 at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark. Tickets: $42, $47.50. Visit chicagomagiclounge.com.
Comedy
- The smoking jacket, cravat-wearing Troy Hawke, the alter-ego of British comedian Milo McCabe, made his name with his quick-witted, charming videos of complimentary interactions with people on the street. At 7 p.m. March 30 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. Tickets: $32.50. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
- Stand Up Together is a comedy benefit with all proceeds donated in support of artists impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Performing are comedians Pat McGann, Katie Rich, Megan Gailey, Marcella Arguello, Kristen Toomey, Calvin Evans, Matty Ryan, Chris Bader and more. At 7:30 p.m. March 27 at Laugh Factory Chicago, 3175 N. Broadway. Tickets: $35. Visit laughfactory.com/chicago.
Music
- Pop icon Kylie Minogue recently released her new album “Tension II,” the high octane sequel of her 2023 global smash “Tension.” Minogue once again steps masterfully into a new set of dance floor anthems including “Lights Camera Action” and “Edge of Saturday Night” which were preceded by her previous album’s dance hit “Padam Padam.” At 7:30 p.m. April 2 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. Tickets: $54+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- The multi-media project Kraftwerk brings together electronic-music, computer animations and performance art. The ensemble’s concerts are true “Gesamtkunstwerk — a total work of art.” At 8 p.m. March 29 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $69+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- Nashville-based singer-songwriter Marc Scibilia tours behind his fourth album, “More to This.” At 7 p.m. March 29 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Tickets: $25. Visit metrochicago.com.
- Two standout musicians lead this double bill: Sona Jobarteh is a Gambian singer and kora player whose music echoes the West African Griot tradition. Cedric Watson leads the next generation of Cajun and Creole musicians, his sound melds ancient French and Spanish rhythms with the spiritual rhythms of West Africa. At 7:30 p.m. March 29 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th. Tickets: $12-$33. Visit logancenter.uchicago.edu.
- The quintet Butcher Brown plays a Southern psychedelic mix of jazz and hip-hop mixed with rock, funk and soul. At 8 p.m. March 29 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $25. Visit evanstonspacemusic.com.
- Songwriter and guitarist Charlie Parr, a blues musician/poet, brings his unique interpretation of traditional music to town for a performance at 7 p.m. March 30 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $28. Visit oldtownschool.org.
- Orchestra Noir presents “Y2K Meets ‘90s,” a nostalgic, high-energy ride featuring R&B and hip-hop hits from both eras. At 8 p.m. March 29 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $77.50-$112.50. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.
Museums & Galleries
- “Frida Kahlo’s Month in Paris: A Friendship with Mary Reynolds” focuses on a pivotal period in 1939 when Kahlo stayed in the Paris home of Reynolds, an American avant-garde bookbinder and longtime partner of artist Marcel Duchamp, whose home was a hub for the city’s artistic community. On display are seven of Kahlo’s most important self-portraits, letters written by the artist, works on paper, photographs and more. From March 29-July 13 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.
- Arts of Life, an organization that provides artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a space to expand their practice, presents “What they said,” a new exhibit guest curated by artists Nick Cave and Bob Faust. From March 28-May 9 (with a reception with the artists on opening night) at Arts of Life, 2010 W. Carroll. Admission is free. Visit artsoflife.org.
Family Fun
- Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Tours aboard the First Lady have returned for a new season on the Chicago River. The 90-minute tour along all three branches of the river offers a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline while knowledgeable docents offer the backstories of more than 50 iconic buildings. Through Nov. 23, with multiple daily departures at the northeast corner of Michigan and Wacker. Tickets: $56+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- After a five-day residency with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, violinist Midori performs a concert with CYSO string students. The program includes works by Derek Bermel, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jules Massenet and more. At 3 p.m. March 30 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th. Tickets: $25. Visit cyso.org.
- The Other Art Fair features works from more than 115 emerging and independent artists. Plus interactive installations, live performances, DJ sets and the debut of a new artisan section featuring works in ceramic, glass, metal and wood. From March 27-30 at Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood. Admission: $20-$25. Visit the theotherartfair.com.