Things to do in Chicago: The Mix Feb. 20-26

Theater

• A Beautifully Gruesome Production’s “The Uncanny Attic: Chapters A-D,” inspired by the macabre alphabet in Edward Gorey’s “The Gashlycrumb Tinies,” is an absurdist comedy told through puppetry, clowning, dance, music and animation that creates a backstory for the untimely deaths. Co-directed by Bazuka Joe and The Bunny Royale (Jennifer Friedrich). At 8 p.m. Feb. 20-22 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted. Tickets: $30-$40. Visit steppenwolf.org
• Shakespeare’s gritty drama “Titus Andronicus” brings prejudice and the politics of revenge to bloody life in a country divided and now on the brink of civil war. Anne Sheridan Smith stars in the title role; Dusty Brown directs. From Feb. 20-March 30 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr. Tickets: $35. Visit redtwisttheatre.org.
• The Artistic Home presents Mark O’Rowe’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler,” the classic drama about a woman (Brookelyn Hébert) trapped by societal expectations. Monica Payne directs. From Feb. 20-March 23 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $35. Visit theartistichome.org.
• Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center presents the Chicago premiere of Gabriel Kahane and Seth Bockley’s musical “February House” about a dilapidated Brooklyn boarding house turned into a bohemian commune during the early days of World War II. Based on Sherill Tippins’ memoir; Seth Roseman directs. From Feb. 21-March 2 at Ethel Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle, Evanston. Tickets: $8-$30. Visit wirtz.northwestern.edu.
• Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins,” the story of one magical nanny, is presented in a staged concert with accompaniment by the 16-piece JAM Orchestra. From Feb. 20-March 9 at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights. Tickets: $24-$49. Visit metropolisarts.com.
• Broadway stars J. Harrison Ghee, Amber Iman, Karen Mason, Aisha Jackson and Myles Frost perform at “A Night of Broadway,” a benefit for the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago, Naperville. Tickets: $50, $100 (concert only), $250+ (5 p.m. cocktails/dinner/concert). Visit ilconservatory.org/events/. 
  

  Dance

• The Joffrey Ballet presents a mixed repertoire program featuring two world premieres: Yuri Possokhov’s “Andante,” set to a score by Dmitri Shostakovich, and Dani Rowe’s adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “Princess and the Pea,” set to a new score by Jim Stephenson. Plus performances of Cathy Marston’s “Heimat” and Nicolas Blanc’s “Under the Trees’ Voices.” From Feb. 20-March 2 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $36+. Visit joffrey.org.

Music

• Irish-American band Solas returns from an eight-year hiatus to resume playing its blend of Irish traditional music and modern American songcraft. Three founding members — Séamus Egan, John Williams and Winifred Horan — return to celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary and vast catalog. At 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $35. Visit oldtownschool.org.

• The chamber orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi with Jessie Montgomery performs works by Black and Latino composers including Montgomery’s Grammy-winning “Rounds,” as well as works by Scott Joplin, Teresa Carreño, Derrick Skye, Levi Taylor, Curtis Stewart and Juantio Becenti. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $29-$99. Visit cso.org. 

•  Jazz vocalist and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant finds the connections between vaudeville, blues, theater, jazz, baroque and folk music. Her performances of standards and original works have won her a handful of Grammy Awards and a MacArthur fellowship. At 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $39-$299. Visit cso.org.
• Robert’s Westside’s first artist residency features Chicago musician-producer Sima Cunningham (Feb. 21, March 21, April 18). Over the past 15 years, she’s worked with Jeff Tweedy, Richard Thompson, Iron & Wine, Chance the Rapper, and Twin Peaks, and been featured on over 30 records. She also co-founded the experimental Chicago indie-rock band Finom (formerly OHMME). V.V. Lightbody and Minor Moon open at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at 7321 W. Madison, Forest Park. Tickets: $15, $20. Visit robertswestside.com.

  

  Jim Herrington

• On his new release “Strange Time to Be Alive,” folk-blues singer-songwriter Early James (aka Fredrick James Mullis Jr.) gives his take on the endless absurdity he sees around him on songs of forsaken blues, contemplative folk and brooding murder ballads. The Dead Mall opens at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Tickets: $20. Visit hideoutchicago.com.
• Brazilian pianist Heloísa Fernandes, in town to record a new album at PianoForte Studios, begins her stay with a solo performance at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland. Tickets: $30. Visit latinoculturalcenter.org.

Museums

• “Pipilotti Rist: Supersubjektiv” is a video installation using digital surveillance footage the artist filmed during a monthlong trip to Japan, which she uses to create a dream-like space for contemplation and curiosity examining nature, the built environment and technology. From Feb. 22-Sept. 14 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago. Admission: $10-$22. Visit mcachicago.org.
• “Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition,” a yearly exhibit since 1970, includes 150 artworks featuring paintings, drawings, fine art prints, sculpture, mixed-media, ceramics and photographs by well-known and emerging African American artists including youth artists between the ages of 14 and 17. To April 27 at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Tickets: $25.95, ages 3-11 $14.95. Visit msichicago.org.

Movies

• Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron’s sci-fi action classic “The Terminator” celebrates its 40^th anniversary with a screening and live accompaniment by The Chicago Philharmonic performing Brad Fiedel’s high-octane score. At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $69+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
• Beyond the Red Carpet is an afternoon celebration of cinema with discussions of this year’s Oscar nominees, winner predictions and an exploration of the artistry behind the films. Includes a recorded interview with Oscar-nominated “Sing Sing” director/co-writer Grey Kwedar. Hosted by Chicago Film Critics Association member Lee Shoquist. From 3-6 p.m. Feb. 22 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton. Tickets: $50. Visit facets.org.

Family Fun

• Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences presents “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System,” which takes Ms. Frizzle and her students on an interplanetary field trip. From Feb. 21-March 29 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets: $16.75. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
• Chicago Park District’s Polar Adventure Day celebrates winter fun with Siberian husky sled teams, live ice carving, a nature-inspired winter craft, a puppet show, music, hot cocoa, live animals and more. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 22 at Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island. Admission is free. Visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/events.