Theater
- The Paramount Bold Series presents William Finn, Rebecca Feldman and Jay Reiss’ “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical that recounts the epic struggles of six middle school students vying for the championship of a lifetime. Stephen Schellhardt directs. From March 12-April 27 at Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena, Aurora. Tickets: $40-$55. Visit paramountaurora.com.
- Music Theater Works stages “Guys and Dolls,” Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows’ classic musical, a romantic comedy that follows the exploits of gambler Sky Masterson, his nightclub performer girlfriend Adelaide, straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown and gambler Nathan Detroit. Sasha Gerritson directs. From March 6-30 at North Shore Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $19.50-$106. Visit musictheaterworks.com.
- Based on Tim Burton’s film, “Beetlejuice” tells the story of a strange teenager who life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a tricky demon. From March 11-16 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $47.50-$132.50. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- “Tell Me on a Sunday” is a one-woman, one-act musical journey that follows a free-spirited British woman brimming with optimism as seeks success, companionship and love. Dani Pike stars; Keely Vasquez directs. From March 7-April 20 at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard, Evanston. Tickets: $30-$60. Visit theo-u.com.
- Invictus Theatre’s staging of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” is a modern-dress interpretation with original music and choreography. Charles Askenaizer directs. From March 11-April 20 at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park. Tickets: $24, $38. Visit invictustheatreco.com.
- Gracie Gardner’s “Pussy Sludge” is a darkly comic and erotic queer fantasia about a woman (Hannah Ottenfeld) who encounters outrageous characters in the swamp where she’s taken refuge from her life. Ava Calabrese Grob directs. From March 6-April 5 at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California. Tickets: $25 suggested donation. Visit facilitytheatre.org.
- A new production of Sophocles’ “Antigone” intersperses visuals and music into the Greek tragedy about the conflict between King Creon and his daughter. From March 7-April 6 at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $41, $52. Visit athenaeumcenter.org.
- Fat Theater Project and Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble presents Rachel Bublitz’s “Funny Like an Abortion,” a darkly humorous play set in a future America where even saying the work “abortion” is a crime. Eileen Tull directs. From March 10-30 at 1650 W. Foster. Tickets: $30 suggested donation. Visit danztheatre.org.
Dance
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns with two programs featuring six Chicago premieres and two Ailey classics. The premieres are the 25th anniversary production of Ronald K. Brown’s “Grace,” Hope Boykin’s “Finding Free,” Matthew Rushing’s “Sacred Songs,” a new production of Elisa Monte’s “Treading” and Lar Lubovitch’s “Many Angels.” Plus an excerpt from Ailey’s “Cry,” and, in keeping with company tradition, each evening ends with Ailey’s stirring masterpiece “Revelations.” From March 7-9 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $39+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
- Winifred Haun & Dancers present “First Draft,” a program that gives local choreographers and dancers the opportunity to present their latest works for an audience. At 7 p.m. March 7-8 and 3 p.m. March 9 at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western. Tickers $35-$65. Visit linkshall.org.
Music
- Elvis Costello and his bandmate Steve Nieve conclude their tour with a four-night stand at Park West. The repertoire for the shows stretches from piano, guitar and vocal numbers to arrangements newly conceived for this unique ensemble that also includes Eleanor Whitmore on fiddle, Shaye Cohn on cornet, Tony Garnier on double bass and Sean McKeon on uilleann pipes. At 8 p.m. March 11-12, 14-15 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Tickets: $129.50-$199.50. Visit jamusa.com.
- Old St. Patrick’s annual Siamsa na nGael is a Chicago tradition celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This year’s program, “Living the Legacy of St. Brigid,” honors the life and legacy of Brigid of Kildare and her message of healing and unity. Performers include singers Catherine O’Connell and Devin DeSantis, dancers the Gardiner Brothers, the Metropolis Symphony Orchestra, the Old St. Patrick’s Choir, the Trinity Irish Dance Company and more. At 7:30 p.m. March 10 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $30-$60. Visit cso.org.
- Singer-songwriter Kris Delmhorst tours behind her 10th full-length album, “Ghosts in the Garden,” a collection of songs offering a layered, kaleidoscopic meditation on grief and loss. At 7:30 p.m. March 6 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets, $20-$30. Visit evanstonspacemusic.com.
- Chicago heavy metal band Disturbed marks the 25th anniversary of its seminal album “The Sickness.” The show will open a performance of with the album in full, followed by a set of greatest hits. Three Days Grace and Sevendust open. At 6:30 p.m. March 8 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $87+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- Jazz Is Dead founder and composer Adrian Younge, joined by a 10-piece orchestra, performs songs from “Something About April III,” which fuses soul with the vibrant sounds of Brazil. It’s the final installment of his psychedelic soul trilogy that redefines the genre for new generations. At 9 p.m. March 12 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. Tickets: $30. Visit emptybottle.com.
- Faye Webster’s recent album “Underdressed at the Symphony” was one of the most acclaimed of 2024. The New York Times praised her ability to “walk the line between indie-rock and country.” Mei Ehara opens at 8 p.m. March 11-12 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $61+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Museums
- Check out “Architectural Head Games,” surely one of the quirkiest exhibits in town. It consists of architect-designed headpieces created for the 2024 Arts in the Dark Parade. Each wearable design reflects an inventive interpretation of the city’s built environment. To May 31 at Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker. Admission: $5 to March 9 (in-person only); after that $15. Visit architecture.org.
Movies
- Chicago Film Archives and the Music Box Theatre present Amateur Movie Day, which celebrates weird and wonderful hidden gems produced by film clubs, teenagers and other non-professional filmmakers. At 7 p.m. March 12 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $11. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
- The European Union Film Festival Spotlight: Poland features 20 Polish productions and co-productions, including 13 new titles alongside classics from filmmakers including Krzysztof Kieślowski, Agnieszka Holland and Andrzej Wajda. The opening night film, with the director in attendance, is Marcin Koszałka’s “White Courage,” the tale of two brothers that tells the larger story of WWII’s impact on the Polish Highlands. From March 7-20 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $13, $50 five films and free popcorn, opening night $26.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
Family Fun
- Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players pull out all the stops for this 20th anniversary show replete with puppets, animation, door prizes and some fun rock ‘n’ roll for kids including songs from Roberts’ forthcoming album, “Brain Freese.” At 10:30 a.m. March 8 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $20. Visit oldtownschool.org.
- Fun for all ages can be found at the Hyde Park School of Dance staging of “Alice in Wonderland.” Based on the classic Lewis Carroll story, it’s a colorfully staged ballet featuring 80 dancers ages 6 to 18. At 7 p.m. March 7 and 1, 3, 6 p.m. March 8 at Kennedy-King College, 740 W. 63rd. Tickets: $35, $15 ages 6-18, $5 ages 5 and under. A Queen of Hearts Tea Party is at 4 p.m. March 8 ($20, $25). Visit hydeparkdance.org.
- CSO for Kids present “The Music of Our Emotions,” a program that shows how music can help us understand and share our feelings. There are also pre- and post-concert activities for children. At 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. March 8 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $15-$75. Visit cso.org.