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1 week 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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2 weeks 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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3 weeks 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.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
Northlight Theatre and Theater Wit present “Prayer for the French Republic,” Joshua Harmon’s drama that follows five generations of a French-Jewish family in a sweeping look at history, home and the effects of ancient hatred. Jeremy Wechsler directs. From April 10-May 11 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $49-$91. Visit northlight.org. Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s “Titanic the Musical” is a portrait of the passengers on board the infamous ship and the tragedy that followed.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
The jazz dance ensemble Giordano Dance Chicago celebrates the life and legacy of artistic director Nan Giordano with the world premiere of Al Blackstone’s “Sana,” plus “333,” “Soaring” and more from the company’s repertoire. At 7:30 p.m. April 4 and 6 p.m. April 5 at Harris Theatre, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $27-$97. Visit harristheaterchicago.org. Evanston Dance Ensemble presents world premiere works by choreographers inspired by the theme of science and exploration.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Katie Anthony |Mary Houlihan
April showers bring May flowers — so as wet spring weather descends on Chicago, residents might be looking for an indoor activity that won’t break the bank. Museums in and around Chicago offer free days for Illinois residents throughout the month of April, and some spots are always free and open to the public. Here are the free museum days for Illinois residents in April:Adler Planetarium 📍1300 S. Lake Shore DuSable Dr.Free admission from 4-11 p.m. on Wednesdays for Illinois residents.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
About a decade ago, three friends — Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue — living in Los Angeles found success with comedy concert shows that transformed iconic movies into something lovingly irreverent. “These were scrappy, silly shows that we staged at a local dinner theater,” Blue says.
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1 month ago | 
chicago.suntimes.com | Mary Houlihan
“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.
