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1 week ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Things to Do in Chicago May 29-June 4: The Mix The Weeknd at Soldier Field, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” at Cadillac Palace Theatre and Do Division in West Town are among the highlights in the week ahead. Things to Do in Chicago May 22-28: The Mix “42 Balloons” at Chicago Shakespeare, the Sueños Music Festival in Grant Park and the 40th Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest are among the highlights in the week ahead.
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1 week ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
The Weeknd, whose given name is Abel Tesfaye, recently announced that his recent album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” (and a newly released film under the same title) will be his last as the Weeknd. The 35-year-old singer and songwriter isn’t leaving music, just letting go of his stage persona that’s been with him since his teen years. Playboi Carti opens at 7 p.m. May 30-31 at Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Dr. Tickets: $66+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
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2 weeks ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
In 1982 Larry Walters took a 45-minute flight in a contraption made out of a lawn chair and balloons. His story is now recounted in Jack Godfrey’s new musical “42 Balloons.” Ellie Coote directs the North American premiere. From May 24-June 29 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand. Tickets: $49-$132. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
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3 weeks ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Beyoncé brings her Cowboy Carter Tour to town for a three-night stand performing songs from her recent country-tinged album and other selections from her notable songbook. Visually and sonically it’s sure to be another epic performance by the ever-evolving performer. At 7 p.m. May 15, 17-18 at Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympic Dr. Tickets: $130+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
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3 weeks ago | 
flipboard.com | Mary Houlihan
1 day agoAnd her fans were called Noranians for their devotion to a performer who had enthralled her country — onscreen and on the concert stage — since she was a teenager. Nora Aunor, a powerful Filipina actress and singer who for nearly 60 years captivated audiences — her devoted fans were called Noranians …
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Newly minted space traveler Katy Perry comes down to earth for her Lifetimes Tour, in which she performs tunes from her new album, “1432,” as well as the hits and more from her extensive catalog. Rebecca Black opens at 7 p.m. May 12 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $78+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
A creative team of Black women artists from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Toronto, including a new story and libretto by Leah-Simone Bowen and co-librettist Cheryl L. Davis, and new orchestration and arrangements by Jessie Montgomery and Jannina Norpoth, presents a reimagining of Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha,” the composer’s often-overlooked 1911 opera. Award-winning soprano Neema Bickersteth sings the title role. At 7:30 p.m. May 2, 3 p.m. May 3 and 2 p.m. May 4 at Harris Theater, 205 E.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Trent Stork directs a circus-themed revival of “Cats,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical inspired by T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The cast includes jugglers, aerialists, tumblers, acrobats and other circus performers. From April 30-June 15 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora. Tickets: $28-$85. Visit paramountaurora.com. British playwright Lolita Chakrabarti re-imagines her acclaimed play “Hymn” now setting it on the South Side of Chicago.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Zora Howard’s “Bust,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist, ranges from “high comedy to transcendent drama.” A couple watches from their porch as their neighbor is pulled over by the police and the expected turns into the unexpected. Lileana Blain-Cruz directs a co-production with Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre. From April 19-May 18 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $25-$85. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Chicago theater owes a great debt to visionary social reformer Jane Addams. Without her decision to include a community theater in her Hull-House settlement, the city’s Off-Loop theater scene might not exist as the unique entity it is today.
