Arts and entertainment calendar for Jan. 26

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Updated: January 24, 2012 9:27PM

Stage

“Accidental Rapture,” a comedy about faith, friendship and the end of the world, will be presented through Feb. 18 by 16th Street Theater at the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. Richard and Kim believe in God. Amy and Paul don’t. So when they all get together to hang out the same weekend the world happens to end, things get kind of awkward. Curtain at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $18. Visit www.16thstreettheater.org.

“Bad Seed” will be presented by Wheaton Drama Jan. 27-Feb. 19 at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., downtown Wheaton. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $13-$16. Visit www.wheatondrama.org or call (630) 260-1820.

“Gypsy,” based on the 1957 memoirs of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee, through April 1 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The performance schedule is 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8:30 p.m. Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $35-$46, with discounts available for students and senior citizens. Dinner packages available for $49.75-$68. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

“How the West Was Done In,” an interactive murder mystery dinner theatre production, will be presented by GreenMan Theatre Troupe Feb. 17-26 at Angelo’s Ristorante, 247 N. York Road, Elmhurst. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show is at 6 p.m. Doors open an hour before the performance for a cash bar. Tickets are $50, which includes the performance and dinner. For more information or tickets, call (630) 464-2646 or visit www.greenmantheatre.com.

“Invisible Man,” through Feb. 19 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $40-$60. Student and senior discounts available. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.CourtTheatre.org.

“Mauritius,” Feb. 9-19 at Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs. Tickets are $18 and $20. Call (708) 246-3380 or visit www.theatrewesternsprings.com.

“Moon Over Buffalo” will be presented by Buffalo Theatre Ensemble through Feb. 12 at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $25-$33. Call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.atthemac.org.

“Moonlight and Magnolias,” a comical glimpse behind the creation of the screenplay for “Gone With the Wind,” through March 11 at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Curtain at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; with Thursday performances at 2 p.m. Feb. 2 and 16. The show is rated PG-13. Tickets: $32-$42. Dinner show packages available from $52. Call (630) 584-6342 or visit www.foxvalleyrep.org.

“Oliver!” will be presented by the St. Louise Players at 7 p.m. Feb. 24-25 and March 2-3 and 2 p.m. Feb. 26 and March 4 at St. Louise de Marillac Parish, 31st and Harrison avenues, LaGrange Park. Tickets: $10; $5 for children 12 and under. Call (708) 352-7388.

“Sly Fox” will be presented at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27; 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 28; and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. Tickets are $18 and $20. Call (708) 246-3380 or visit www.theatrewesternsprings.com.

“Unnecessary Farce” will be presented by First Folio Theatre Feb. 1-March 4 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St., just off Route 83, Oak Brook. When Billie and Eric, a pair of inept police officers, set up a sting operation to trap the crooked mayor, nothing can go wrong — unless everything goes wrong. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $30-$37, with discounts available for students and senior citizens. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.org.

Take Note

“Tune into Tuscany: Fourth Fridays Live” features singer Cindi Cronin from 8 p.m.-midnight Jan. 27 at Tuscany Restaurant, 1415 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook. No cover. Call (630) 990-1993.

New Philharmonic will present a concert staging of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” at 8 p.m. Jan. 27-28 at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Guest artists include soprano Michelle Areyzaga, tenor John Sumners and mezzo-soprano Kathryn Leemhuis. The opera will be performed in Italian with English supertitles. Tickets: $38; $36 seniors; $28 youth. To order tickets or for more information, call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.AtTheMAC.org.

The public is invited to attend the 2012 Dr. Robert Stanger Young Artists Audition on Jan. 28 in Irion Hall at Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect, Elmhurst. Hours are from 9-11:45 a.m. and 1:15-3:30 p.m. Those attending the free event may come and go throughout the day. Conducted by the Elmhurst Symphony Association in cooperation with the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club and the Auxiliary of the ESO, the yearly competition provides an opportunity for high school instrumentalists to compete for the chance to perform with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. Students will play music by a wide range of composers and for several different instruments, including piano, strings and guitar. For more information, call (630) 941-0202 or visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org.

Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players will present “Pride of Nations” at 3 p.m. Jan. 29 at Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 S. Garfield Ave. The program includes Dvorak’s Piano Quintet for Strings and Piano; Arturo Marquez’s Zarabandeo for Clarinet and Piano; and Sergei Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes. Tickets are $15 in advance, $10 seniors; $20 at the door, $15 seniors. Free admission for students. For tickets, visit www.chicagophilharmonic.org or call (847) 866-6888.

Sinfonietta Bel Canto, conducted by Dan Pasquale D’Andrea, presents concerts at 3 p.m. Sundays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5211 Carpenter St., Downers Grove. Tickets in advance are $15; $12 senior citizens; $5 students; free admission for children 7 and under, accompanied by a parent. Tickets purchased at the door are $17/$14/$7. Visit www.SinfoniettaBelCanto.org or call (630) 384-5007. Jan. 29: “Sinfonietta Tribute to Hinsdale Center for the Arts.” The program includes Beethoven’s Symphony #2 in D major, op. 36; M. Giuliani’s Guitar Concerto #1, Op. 30; Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino”; and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56, Movement 3.

The Goat Rodeo Sessions Live will be broadcast from the House of Blues Boston at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 to local movie theaters, including Naperville 16 with IMAX, 2815 Show Place Drive, Naperville. Four string virtuosos — cellist Yo-Yo Ma, bluegrass fiddler Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolin player Chris Thile — will perform songs from their collaborative album, “The Goat Rodeo Sessions.” Tickets are available at the theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Grammy Award-winning electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers bring their concert event to local movie theaters, including Yorktown 17 with IMAX, 80 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, and Naperville 16 with IMAX, 2815 Show Place Drive, Naperville, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Chicago a cappella presents “Wade in the Water,” a celebration of African-American spirituals, at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The program includes the world premiere of a new commission, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” by Grammy Award-winning arranger Joseph Jennings; Jonathan Miller’s new cycle, “Old Testament Spirituals; and arrangements by Robert Morris, Moses Hogan, and Oak Park composer Paul Carey. Tickets: $28 and $35; $22 senior citizens; $12 students. Call (773) 281-7820 or visit www.chicagoacappella.org.

Grammy Award-winning songwriter, performer and producer Jim Peterik appears in concert Feb. 4 at The Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m., guitarist and songwriter Jim Gary will open at 7:30 p.m., and Peterik will take the stage at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $30; $25 for TWS subscribers. Tickets purchased at the door are $35/$30. Call (708) 246-3380 or visit www.theatreofwesternsprings.com.

Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner Steven Curtis Chapman performs his “Songs and Stories,” featuring special guests Andrew Peterson and Josh Wilson, at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Tickets: $25-$45. Call (800) 965-9324 or visit www.itickets.com. For an additional $25, patrons may also purchase a pass to “Sound Check & Stories,” a pre-show event taking place at 5 p.m. the day of the performance.

WDCB Jazz Salon, produced by Pianoforte Foundation, features concerts at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20; $25 premium; $18 seniors and students. Before each concert, there will be a tour of Mayslake Hall at 6:30 p.m., $5 per person. For tickets, call (630) 206-9566 or visit www.pianofortefoundation.org. Feb. 9: Claudia Hommel and Bobby Schiff. March 8: Bob Dogan Quintet. June 14: Elmhurst College Jazz Band.

“The Music of ABBA: Featuring Arrival,” 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $42; $40 for seniors; $32 for youth. First- and second-row tickets are $57-$67. Call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.atthemac.org.

“An Evening with Jazz Trombonist Joel Adams,” 8 p.m. Feb. 10 in the North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Adams will be joined onstage by other members of North Central College’s jazz faculty, including saxophonist Mitch Paliga, pianist Frank Caruso, bassist Jim Cox and drummer Jack Mouse. Tickets are $15; $12 for students and senior citizens. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Music@Bethel presents concerts at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.: Elmhurst Acoustic Originals — Scottie Long and Jim Crowther perform classic rock favorites and original works. March 18, 3 p.m.: Spektral Quartet presents classical music. April 28, 7:30 p.m.: Kmang Kmang, a classical guitar group featuring elements of electronics, rock and jazz fusion. For more information, visit www.MusicAtBethel.com or call (630) 279-4040.

DuPage Symphony Orchestra presents “Heroic and Hopeful” at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 and 3 p.m. Feb. 12 in North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The program includes Peter Boyer’s music and multimedia event, “ Ellis Island: The Dream of America”; and Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World.” Tickets: $28; $25 senior citizens; $11 students. Visit www.dupagesymphony.org.

Salt Creek Sinfonietta performs at 3 p.m. Feb. 12 at First United Methodist Church, 100 W. Cossitt Ave., La Grange. The program includes Rossini: Il Signor Bruschino Overture; Berlioz: “Les Nuits d’été” with Lindsey Poling, mezzo-soprano; and Schubert: Symphony No. 5. Tickets: $20; $15 seniors; $5 for students age 21 and under. Free admission for children under 7. Call (630) 415-2899 or visit www.saltcreeksinfonietta.com.

Cabaret artist Sally Mayes presents “Valentine” at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $30 and $25. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

The West Suburban Symphony, conducted by Peter Lipari, performs selections from “Show Boat” and “Porgy & Bess” at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. The program features the symphony’s chorus along with soloists soprano Elizabeth Norman, tenor Christopher Joyner, and baritone Robert Sims. $22; $18 seniors; $5 teens; children free. For more information, visit www.westsubsymphony.org or call (630) 887-7464.

Winter Jazz Fest, highlighting the work and life of Dizzy Gillespie, Feb. 14-18 at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. For more information, call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.atthemac.org. Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.: Bruce Oscar, host of WDCB’s “All Things Jazz” and “Swing Shift,” hosts a free open mic. Feb. 16, 7 p.m.: Jazz saxophonist Mark Colby and Friends. Feb. 17, 8 p.m.: Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, $32; $30 for seniors; $22 for youth. Feb. 18, 10 a.m.: Kidjazz! with the Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, featuring sing-alongs and dancing. $12. Feb. 18, 8 p.m.: American jazz and blues singer Patricia Barber, $34; $32 for seniors and $24 for youth.

St. Odilo Festival Choir, with the Sinfonietta Bel Canto Orchestra, will present a concert in honor of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 p.m. Feb. 19 at St. Odilo Parish, 2244 East Ave., Berwyn. The program includes sacred choral works by Palestrina, Handel, Mozart, Faure, Bruckner and Franck, and Schubert’s Symphony #5. Admission is $10; $5 for students 18 and under. Call (708) 484-2161.

National Forum of Music Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra performs romantic and contemporary masterpieces at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Since its inception in 1954, the Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra has drawn on the rich traditions of its home city in Poland, which has played host to great artists such as Wagner, Brahms and Mahler. Tickets are $75 and $65. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Elmhurst Choral Union performs “Medley of Melodies,” a mix of choruses and solos from opera and Broadway, at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York, Elmhurst. Free-will donations will benefit Elmhurst Choral Union’s programs. For more information, visit www.elmhurstchoralunion.org.

Vocalist Joan Curto performs selections from the Great American Songbook in a concert titled “No Tune Like a Showtune, the Music and Lyrics of Jerry Herman” at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $35 and $25. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and the Apollo Chorus of Chicago present “Mozart Requiem” at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 155 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. The program includes Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum, as well as Mozart’s Requiem. Tickets: $31; $7 for students. Visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org.

“Sweetness of Strings,” a DuPage Symphony Orchestra chamber concert, will be presented at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at the First United Methodist Church of Lombard, 155 S. Main St., Lombard. DSO’s principal harpist, Nicole Luchs, will perform Claude Debussy’s “Danses sacree et profane,” accompanied by a string ensemble. The program also includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Britten’s Simple Symphony. Tickets: $15; $12 seniors; $8 students. Call (630) 778-1003 or visit www.dupagesymphony.org.

Béla Fleck & the Flecktones perform at 8 p.m. March 3 in North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Banjoist, composer and bandleader Fleck and his ensemble play a repertoire of classical, jazz, bluegrass, African music, electric blues and Eastern European folk music. Tickets are $70 and $80. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

The Tower Chorale performs “The Creation” by Franz Joseph Haydn at 3 p.m. March 4 at Divine Infant Church, 1601 S. Newcastle, Westchester. Tickets: $18; $15 seniors and students; free for children 10 and under. Visit www.towerchorale.org.

The Orion Ensemble presents “Celebrating Women Composers” at 7 p.m. March 4 at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. The program includes works by Stacy Garrop, Louise Farrenc, Phyllis Tate and Fanny Mendelssohn. Tickets: $26; $23 for seniors; $10 for students; children 12 and younger are free. For tickets or more information, call (630) 628-9591 or visit www.orionensemble.org.

“An Evening with Jazz Saxophonist Mitch Paliga,” 8 p.m. March 9 in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets: $15; $12 seniors. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. The information line is (847) 635-6601. March 9, 7:30 p.m.: Lady Antebellum — Own the Night 2012 World Tour, with Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square. $29.50, $45, $59.50. April 1, 7:30 p.m.: Van Halen. $49.50, $79.50, $149.50. May 4: Rammstein — “Made in Germany 1995-2011 Tour.” May 30, 6 p.m.: Nickelback with special guests Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days. $51.50, $65, $87.50, $96.50.

The Met: Live in HD, the Metropolitan Opera’s series of live performance transmissions into movie theaters, including Yorktown 17 with IMAX, 80 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard; and Naperville 16 with IMAX, 2815 Show Place Drive, Naperville. Tickets are available at the theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. Feb. 11, 11 a.m.: Wagner’s “Gotterdammerung.” Feb. 25, 11:55 a.m.: Verdi’s “Ernani.” April 7, 11 a.m.: Massenet’s “Manon.” April 14, 11:55 a.m.: Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100 or visit www.rosemonttheatre.com. Feb. 4, 7 p.m.: ELVIS LIVES, featuring four finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ annual worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Bill Cherry, Ben Klein, Kevin Mills and Victor Trevino Jr. will each represent Elvis during different stages in his career. The Elvis tribute artists will be joined by a live band, back-up singers, dancers, and an Ann-Margret tribute artist, as well as iconic imagery made available from the Graceland archives. Tickets: $24.50-$49.50. Feb. 24: Big Time Rush — “Better With U Tour.” March 30-31, 8 p.m.: Celtic Woman. $32-$72.

FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Jan. 26, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn with Decoy, Prayer Meeting, Jason & the Haymakers and Moonshine Honeysuckle, $5. Jan. 27, 9 p.m.: Rico (rock), $10. Jan. 27, 9 p.m.: Cannonball in the SideBar (rock). Free. Jan. 28, 9 p.m.: Otis Clay (blues/soul). $15. Jan. 29, 6 p.m.: Prohibition Jazz Orchestra, $10 adults; $5 for ages 17 and under. Feb. 1, 8 p.m.: John Gurney and Andy Launder (roots/rock). $10. Feb. 3-4, 9 p.m.: CJ Chenier (zydeco). $15. Feb. 8, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $10. Feb. 10, 9 p.m.: Blockade Runners in the SideBar (rock). No cover. Feb. 11, 9 p.m.: This Must Be The Band (Talking Heads tribute). Feb. 12, 7 p.m.: Leon Redbone (jazz/blues). $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Feb. 14, 8 p.m.: Anna Fermin (roots). $5. Feb. 16: Expo ‘76 Dance Party (rock). Feb. 17, 9 p.m.: Joe Ely plus Go Long Mule (roots). $20. Feb. 18, 9 p.m.: Joe Ely plus Kevin Gordon Band (roots). $20. Feb. 19, 6 p.m.: Grandstand Big Band (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Feb. 20: “Lundi Gras” with the annual Jamalaya Cookoff featuring Roddy Romero and the Hub City Allstars (rock/zydeco). $15. Feb. 25, 9 p.m.: Eilen Jewell (roots). $15. March 9, 9 p.m.: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones (rock). $20 in advance; $25 at the door. March 23, 9 p.m.: Chuck Prophet (rock). $15.

Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. (630) 969-9720. www.twowaystreet.org. Folk/Americana music at 8:15 p.m. Fridays for a $7 cover, unless noted otherwise. Jan. 27: Dennis Stroughmatt et l’Esprit Creole (French Creole fiddle tunes and ballads). Jan. 28 and Feb. 25, 2-4 p.m.: Bluegrass Jam. Feb. 3: Kristin Lems and Margaret Nelson. Feb. 4 and 18, March 3 and 17, 2-4 p.m.: Sing-Arounds. Beginners and experienced musicians can learn and/or share songs. Songbooks provided. $1. Feb. 10: David Francey with Craig Werth. Feb. 11, 8 p.m.: Old Time Barn Dance Party, $5. No experience, costume or partner needed. Feb. 14, March 13, 7-9 p.m.: 2nd Tuesday Song Circle, $1. Feb. 17: andi and i. Feb. 23, March 29, 7-9:30 p.m.: Unplugged open mike for high school and college age students. Music, poetry and other performance arts; 10 minutes maximum. Feb. 24: Leonardo. March 2: Larry Penn. March 9: Patti Ecker and Louise Brodie. March 16: Open mike. Signup at 7:30 p.m. March 23: David Massengill. March 30: Evie Ladin and Keith Terry.

Books and poetry

Love Is Murder 13, a mystery and romance conference for authors, readers and fans, will be held Feb. 3-5 at the Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare Hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. The event includes author panels, workshops, pitch sessions with agents and editors, and entertainment. Also, a pre-conference book signing will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb 2, featuring authors David Morrell, Donald Bain, Juli James, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Julie Hyzy. For more information or to register, visit www.loveismurder.net.

For young audiences

“Fancy Nancy & Other Story Books” will be presented by Theatreworks USA at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 10 in North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. The 60-minute musical is recommended for children in grades K-4. Tickets: $10; $5 for children under 12. For an additional $2 per ticket, patrons may add an ice cream reception taking place from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. the day of the performance. Call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000 ; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100 or visit www.rosemonttheatre.com. March 4, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.: The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon’s preschool music group and stars of the television series of the same name. Tickets: $22, $27, $32. Fresh Beat Band Party packages, which include a meet and greet with the band also available.

“Willy Wonka Jr.” will be presented by Christian Youth Theater Feb. 2-5 at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Performances are at 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9-$12 in advance; $11-$14 at the door. Call (847) 516-2298 or visit www.cytchicago.org.

Casting call

General auditions for the College of DuPage College Theatre’s productions of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 and noon Jan. 28 in the Studio Theatre of the McAninch Arts Center at the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. “Romeo and Juliet” will be staged March 23-April 1; “Dog Sees God” will be staged April 13-29. College Theater is offered as a class and cast members for both productions must enroll in Theatre 1120. Auditions for both productions include cold readings; no experience necessary. For more information, call (630) 942-4000.

Elmhurst Choral Union, which performs classical masterworks and choral music of all eras with a professional orchestra, seeks singers. Membership is open to those with previous choral experience or the ability to read music. Singers in all voice ranges are sought, especially tenors and basses. Auditions will be held Jan. 30. To make an audition appointment, visit www.elmhurstchoralunion.org or call (630) 758-1100. Rehearsals begin Feb. 6 on the campus of Elmhurst College.

The Tower Chorale will hold its sixth annual High School Vocal Competition on Feb. 18 in La Grange. The winner will receive a $200 cash prize and will be a soloist at the May 5 and 6 Tower Chorale concerts at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park. Entries and recordings must be postmarked by Feb. 6. For information, visit www.towerchorale.org.

Amateur poets are invited to submit one unpublished work for the College of DuPage Prairie Poetry Contest, which culminates with a reading by poet Amy Newman at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. Prior to her reading, Newman will lead an hour-long workshop with the poetry contest winners. The contest, open to students and community members, is presented by the college’s Writers Read Series. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 17. For more information, e-mail Elizabeth Whiteacre at litaward@cod.edu.

Westmont Frozen Film Festival is calling for entries, including features less than 120 minutes and shorts less than 30 minutes. No films made prior to 2005 will be accepted. Documentary, narrative and animated films, as well as music videos are welcomed. Entries will be presented from 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 24 and 1-5 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Westmont Community Center, 75 E. Richmond, and the Westmont Senior Center, 55 E. Richmond. Register online at www.wpd4fun.org. Entry deadline is Feb. 20. For more information, call (630) 969-8080.

Classic Cinemas and the North Riverside Mall Theatre, located at 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside, are seeking local artists to exhibit their work in a prominent and secure space located in the theatre’s lobby. Artwork would be exhibited for a one-month period, and artists may include a price list and their contact information. No commissions would be taken by the movie theatre. Artists residing in North Riverside, Oak Park/River Forest and the surrounding areas will be given preference. For information, e-mail claire@falkpr.com or call (847) 675-2580.

Comedy

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100. Feb. 18, 8 p.m.: “Defending the Caveman.” $41.55-$72.30. March 3, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Jerry Seinfeld. $45-$75. March 10: Gabriel Iglesias Stand-Up Revolution Tour, presented by Comedy Central.

Zanies Comedy Night Club at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342. www.zanies.com. Jan. 26-28: John Roy.

Dance

Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Jan. 28, 7 p.m.: Chicago Salsa Championship and Dance Party; $13 before 8 p.m., $15 after 8 p.m. Jan. 29, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14 per person. Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Feb. 1 and 8, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Feb. 3, 7-11 p.m.: “Boppin at the Brook” country and western dance, $8. Feb. 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. Feb. 10, 7 p.m.: Chicago Old School Valentine’s Dance featuring The Gentlemen of Leisure Band, Latin Satin Soul Band and DJ Joe Cool Rodriguez. VIP Tickets $30; reserved seats $25; general admission $20. Feb. 11, 6 p.m.: Valentine’s Day dinner and dance, with swing music by the Outcast Jazz Band. $35-$40 for dinner and dancing; $15 for dance only, at 8:30 p.m. Dinner reservation deadline is Feb. 6. Feb. 12: Ballroom dance lesson featuring the cha cha, 12:30-1:30 p.m., $20. Valentine’s Day dinner dance, with big band music by the Teddy Lee Orchestra, $35-$40 for dinner and dancing; $14 for dance only, from 2-5 p.m. Dinner reservation deadline is Feb. 6.

Dining

Francesca’s Amici, 174 N. York Road, Elmhurst. (630) 279-7970. www.miafrancesca.com. Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Wine dinner featuring the Italian wines of Buglioni Vineyards. $58 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, 55 S Main St., Naperville. (630) 548-3764. www.hugosfrogbar.com. Jan. 31, 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Oberon Napa Valley winemaker dinner. $75 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations required.

Film

The Brookfield Film Society will screen “Blondie’s Anniversary” (1947) at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 30 at The Cottage at Irish Times Pub and Restaurant, 8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Admission is free. For information, visit www.brookfieldfilmsociety.com.

McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Global Flicks Film Festival, with films shown at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Films are shown in their original language with English subtitles. Admission is free. Each screening concludes with a moderated discussion of the film and its subject matter. For more information, call (630) 942-4000. Feb. 7: “The Baader Meinhof Complex” (Germany). March 6: “Dooman River” (South Korea and France). April 10: “Panique Au Village” (France).

Etc.

Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. The information line is (847) 635-6601. Jan. 26-29: Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream. $11-$75. March 11, 5 p.m.: Stars on Ice, featuring Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen, Canadian National Champion Kurt Browning, U.S. National Champion Todd Eldredge and other skaters. Tickets: $25-$150. The Clarendon Hills Park District’s

Rainbow Club for adults ages 50 and older will sponsor a day trip to the Drury Lane Theater from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 8 for a performance of the Broadway musical, “Gypsy.” The $45 fee includes motor coach transportation, lunch and the show. The outing is open to residents of Clarendon Hills only. Register at the Community Center, 315 Chicago Ave., by Feb. 9. For more information, call (630) 323-2626.

Kevin Smith: Live From Behind Featuring “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old” will be broadcast to select movie theaters, including AMC Yorktown 17 with IMAX, 80 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard; and AMC Naperville 16 with IMAX, 2815 Show Place Drive, Naperville, at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Director/writer Kevin Smith and frequent co-star Jason “Jay” Mewes will host their podcast and participate in an interactive, fan-generated Q&A session. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Museums

Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. (630) 833-1457. www.elmhursthistory.org. Admission is free. Hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Through March 18: “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow: Living with the Atomic Bomb, 1945-1965.” Visitors will experience the Cold War’s local impact through video interviews with area residents, artifacts, and more. Jan. 26, 7 p.m.: “Espionage: A Cold War Weapon.” Chicago area resident Werner Juretzko is a former G-2 U.S. Army Intelligence Operative who conducted authorized undercover espionage missions during the Cold War. In 1955, he was apprehended by the notorious East German secret police. Hear the story of Juretzko’s missions behind the Iron Curtain and the six years he spent as a prisoner in the infamous torture chambers beneath Berlin.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 220 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. (630) 833-1616. www.lizzadromuseum.org. Hours are 1-5 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Mondays. Admission: $4; $3 senior citizens; $2 students and teens; $1 for children ages 7-12; free for children under 7. Free admission on Fridays. Feb. 14-May 31: “Household Jades of 19th Century China.”

Exhibits

La Grange Art League Gallery and Studio, 122 W. Calendar Ave., La Grange. (708) 352-3101. www.lagrangeartleague.org. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. January: “Pounding Surf,” a multi-media exhibit. February: “Let it Snow.” Thomas McDonald, an artist and educator, will discuss his journey from doing two-dimensional art to sculpture at 2 p.m. Feb. 19. Admission is free.

Hinsdale Center for the Arts, located in Katherine Legge Memorial Park, 5903 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. For information, call (630) 887-0203 or visit www.hinsdalearts.org. Through March 16: HCA Faculty Exhibit 2012, including paintings, sculpture and animation.

Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. (630) 834-0202. www.elmhurstartmuseum.org. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Saturdays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays; closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission: $7; $5 for students and senior citizens; free for children under 12 and members. Free admission on Fridays. Through March 24: “Alive in Winter,” exhibitions by five artists who bring their own visions of organic matter and form to life. The exhibits include “David Weinberg: Mr. Wild’s Garden,” a narrative body of photographs that tells a story about a dilapidated greenhouse, a yard of towering weeds and a solitary, enigmatic man; “Molly McCracken Kumar: Blooming Atmosphere,” paintings that embody themes from Hindu philosophy and spirituality; “Carolyn Ottmers: Splice,” an installation of hanging vines and branches cast in stainless steel, creating a canopy of silver growth in EAM’s Hostetler Gallery; “Meghan Q. McCook: Terra Hive,” a series of blown glass terrariums; and “Stephen Eichhorn: Floral Burst,” featuring delicate hand-cut paper collages of foliage including palm fronds, grasses, leaves and flowers.

“Inside the Outside,” bronze sculptures and large-scale paintings by Preston Jackson, will be on display through Feb. 17 in the Founders Lounge of Elmhurst College’s Frick Center, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. A reception will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 9, with an Artist’s Talk at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Suellen Rocca at (630) 617-6110 or srocca@elmhurst.edu.

The Wings Student Art Gallery at College of DuPage, located in Room 2210 of the college’s Student Services Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, presents “Disguised Sanity” through March 1. The exhibit features Surrealist-inspired ceramics and paintings. An opening reception will be held from noon-2 p.m. Jan. 26. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday. For information, call Brad Killam, (630) 942-2421.