Things to do in Chicago Nov. 7-13
Theater
“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” is the true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-topping American rock icon. The musical, created in collaboration with Diamond, who has sold more than 130 million records, includes a concert-worthy roster of hits from his vast catalog: “Kentucky Woman,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie” and many more, along with lesser-known tunes. From Nov. 12-24 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $70-$165. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
Mozart’s comic masterpiece “The Marriage of Figaro” tell a story of love, lust, seduction, infildelity and forgiveness, all set to some of the most beautiful melodies in all of opera. Barbara Gaines, founding artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directs; Erina Yashima conducts. From Nov. 9-30 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $42+. Visit lyricopera.org.
William Finn and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical “Falsettos” is a tribute to family and its many forms. Nick Bowling directs the Court Theatre co-production with Timeline Theatre. From Nov. 8-Dec. 8 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis. Tickets: $42-$90. Visit courttheatre.org.
A new production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Annie” comes to town just in time for the holidays. The show stars Hazel Vogel as the red-headed orphan with Stefanie Londino as Miss Hannigan and Christopher Swan as Oliver Warbucks. Jenn Thompson directs. From Nov. 12-Dec. 1 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State,. Tickets: $39+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
“The Secret Garden” is Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman’s adaptation of the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett about a young orphan sent to live with her reclusive uncle. Christopher Pazdernik directs. From Nov. 8-Dec. 22 at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard, Evanston. Tickets: $30-$60. Visit theo-u.com.
- Lifeline Theatre’s Fillet of Solo Festival returns with a diverse array of performers including storytelling collectives and solo artists offering personal stories that span comedy, drama and more. On the roster are Nestor Gomez, Sweat Girls, Don’t Rush Me, GenNarrations and more. From Nov. 8-17 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood, and Rhapsody Theater, 1328 W. Morse. Tickets: $12, $60 festival pass. For a list of performers, visit lifelinetheatre.com.
- Family stories, professional anecdotes and glimpses into a 40+ year marriage are revealed when actor-singer Mandy Patinkin and his wife, Kathryn Grody, are interviewed by their son, Gideon Grody-Patinkin. At 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $75-$100. Visit atthemac.org.
Comedy
- The 312 Comedy Festival features five days of non-stop laughs. Headlining the event are two conversations with Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) on Nov. 8-9 at the Chicago Theatre. The list of nearly 20 performances includes Mark Normand, Steve-0, Jessica Kirson, Nate Jackson, Ian Bagg, Michael Rapaport, Angelo Colina and more. From Nov. 6-10 at various venues. Ticket prices vary. For more information, visit 312comedyfestival.com.
Music
- Nine-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish tours in support of her latest album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” a roster of songs that nod to her growth as a musician, vocalist and performer. As for the concert: According to recent reports, Eilish has an uncanny knack for finding unique intimate moments in a packed arena. Indie-rock band Nat & Alex Wolff open at 7 p.m. Nov. 13-14 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: sold out but check resale sites. Visit unitedcenter.com.
- “Sounds of the Cold War” is a three-day concert series honoring the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (Nov. 9, 1989). The concerts will feature music by Hans Eisler, Dmitri Shostakovich, Sofia Gubaidulina, György Ligeti, and György Kurtág, with each event including commentary about the sociopolitical context for the music from guest speakers from the University of Chicago. At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7-9 at Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams. Tickets: $40. Visit guarnerihall.org.
- On his new album, “Vibe Provider,” neo-traditional jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Emmet Cohen presents a blend of original compositions and beloved classics dedicated to the memory of his late friend and mentor Michael Funmi Ononaiye, a beloved figure in the New York music scene who was a guiding light to many musicians. From Nov. 7-10 at Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth. Tickets: $30-$50. Visit jazzshowcase.com.
- Grammy-winning Silkroad Ensemble, now under the leadership of artistic director Rhiannon Giddens, presents “American Railroad,” a program which illuminates the impact that African American, Chinese, Indigenous, Irish and other communities had on the creation of the United States’ transcontinental railroad. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $49-$184. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.
- Veteran garage rockers The Fleshtones headline an evening of rambunctious music with openers The New Duncan Imperials and The Handcuffs at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt. Tickets: $25. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
- Three virtuoso artists from West Africa — Habib Koite, Aly Keita, Lamine Cissokho — showcase their music and cultural heritage at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $40. Visit oldtownschool.org.
Museums
- “Letters Beyond Form: Chicago Types” explores typography, the shape and design of letters, within Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. The exhibition includes printed materials and cultural ephemera, tools of typographic design and work from designers and graffiti artists plus stories, demonstrations and workshops. From Nov. 9-April 4 at Design Museum of Chicago, 72 E. Randolph. Admission is free. Visit designchicago.org.
Movies
- The 30th annual Black Harvest Film Festival showcases films that celebrate and explore the Black, African American and African diaspora experience. Among the films are Contessa Gayles’ “The Debutantes,” about Black debutantes in Canton, Ohio; Yashaddai Owens’ “Jimmy,” which celebrates James Baldwin’s journey from New York to Paris; RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys,” based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and Charles Burnett’s long-lost feature “The Annihilation of Fish,” about two eccentric people finding love later in life. From Nov. 8-21 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $14.50. For a complete list of films, visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
- Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 retelling of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” is screened with live accompaniment by the Chicago Philharmonic, the Chicago Chamber Choir and vocalist Cheryl Wilson performing the film’s score. Svengoolie hosts. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $89+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
Family Fun
- TheaterWorksUSA presents “Dog Man: The Musical,” a family adventure based on Dav Pilkey’s children’s bestselling series. The musical follows Dog Man and his quest to save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings and catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat. From Nov. 8-To Dec. 1 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan. Tickets: $36+. Visit dogmanthemusical.com.
- Join in the fun when The Dreamtree Shakers celebrate the release of their new album, “Baby Bear Wonders About the Sea,” complete with an illustrated “book of songs you can see” by Chicago artist, Rebecca Jasso. The songs tell the story of Baby Bear, who goes on an adventure when he falls asleep on the beach only to wake up in the middle of the sea. At 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $15. Visit oldtownschool.org.