Things to do in Chicago Nov. 28-Dec. 3: The Mix

Theater

Max Martin and David West Read’s musical “& Juliet” asks the question: What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? The romantic comedy comes to life via a playlist of songwriter-producer Martin’s pop anthems including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life,” “That’s the Way It Is” and more. Luke Sheppard directs. From Dec. 3-15 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. Tickets: $40-$165. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

“Little Women” is Lauren Gunderson’s new stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel about four sisters and the strengths that bind them together. Tyler Meredith, Janyce Caraballo, Demetra Dee and Yourtana Sulaiman star; Georgette Verdin directs. From Nov. 29-Jan. 5. Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $49-$91. Visit northlight.org.

Welcome to Bedford Falls! The annual staging of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago” is a 1940s radio broadcast adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic that has become a holiday tradition. Gwendolyn Whiteside directs. From Nov. 29-Dec. 22 at American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $55. Visit americanbluestheater.com.

“Mean Girls” is Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin’s musical adaptation of the popular movie about a teenager who takes on a trio of frenemies. From Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $33-$121. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

George Howe and William Massolia’s world premiere musical adaptation of Gail Rock’s “House Without a Christmas Tree” is the story of a young girl who doesn’t understand why her father won’t allow an evergreen in their house. Dorothy Milne directs. From Dec. 1-29 at Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark. Tickets: $43. Visit griffintheatre.com.

The omnipresent Scrooge turns up next in a 60-minute, family-friendly version of "A Christmas Carol." From Nov. 29-Dec. 28 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace ($28; drurylanetheatre.com). Meanwhile, Phil Timberlake starts in his one-man adaptation "Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol: A Solo Show." From Nov. 29-Dec. 22 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood ($45, lifelinetheatre.com).

The Second City holiday offerings include “Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire” (Nov. 29-Dec. 31) and the family-friendly “Rudolph Runs Wild” (Nov. 30-Dec. 28). Both are at The Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North ($29, secondcity.com). “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Sweater” (Dec. 1) brings seasonal laughs to the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn ($31-$49, atthemac.org).

Veronica Garza returns as Cindy-Lou Who in the adult comedy “Who’s Holiday!” She’s 40, flirty and ready to spill the dirt about the Grinch. Christopher Pazdernik directs. From Nov. 29-Dec. 29 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. Tickets: $15-$45. Visit theaterwit.org.

Dance

Ballet 5:8 presents “Beyond the Nutcracker,” its twist on the holiday classic which finds Emma and Uncle Abrams on a journey through time to discover what Christmas is about. From Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $15-$55. Visit athenaeumcenter.org.

Salt Creek Ballet’s annual staging of “The Nutcracker” features more than 50 dancers including guest artists. From Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Hinsdale Central High School, 5500 S. Grant, Hinsdale ($42; saltcreekballet.org); Dec. 6-7 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie ($28-$54; northshorecenter.org), and Dec. 14-15 with live accompaniment by the New Philharmonic at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn ($36, $46; atthemac.org).

Music

Grammy-winning gospel singer-songwriter Jonathan McReynolds brings new sounds to the holiday season with the release of his first Christmas album, “Red & Green,” which features original songs. Smokie Norful opens at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $30-$40. Visit jamusa.com.

Chamber music ensemble Winter Quartet — Ni Mei (violin), Danny Lai (viola), Katinka Kleijn (cello) and Spencer Myer (piano) — perform works by Mahler, Saariaho and Faure. At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: pay-what-you-wish starting at $15. Visit cso.org.

Norwegian alt-pop artist Aurora tours behind her fourth studio album “What Happened to the Heart?” The poetic songs blend folk, techno and pop into what she says is her “most personal and cathartic album” to date. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence. Tickets: $86+. Visit livenation.com.

Neo-soul singer-songwriter-producer Robert Glasper headlines four shows at 6 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 2-3 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph. Tickets: $55-$78. Visit citywinery.com.

If you’re looking for some bluegrass music to start your holidays, check out Henhouse Prowlers and Special Consensus, two of the very best of the genre. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Tickets: $22-$60. Visit jamusa.com.

Hip-hop legends Rakim, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 29 at Hard Rock Casino, 5400 E. 29th, Gary, Indiana. Tickets: $59+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Museums

In his monumental media work “The Great Farce,” Federico Solmi conflates and distorts past and present, history and myth, reality and spectacle as his drawings and paintings serve as a foundation for this surreal take on American history. The exhibit is the first time the large-scale, multi-screen installation has been presented in full, spanning the entirety of The Block Museum’s largest gallery. Through Dec. 1 at Block Museum, 40 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston. Admission is free (museum closed Nov. 28-29). Visit blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.

Movies

Put on your lederhosen and sing along with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and the Von Trapp children at “The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long.” Each screening includes onscreen lyrics, a costume contest, a collectable tote bag and new interactive surprises. From Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 5 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $18, children 12 and under $12. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

“The Wizard of Oz in Concert” features a screening of the MGM T echnicolor classic as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs Herbert Stothart’s movie score. Richard Kaufman conducts. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29-30 and 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $55+. Visit cso.org.

Family Fun

It’s time for imaginations to run wild as “Forts: Build Your Own Adventure” returns to Filament Theatre. The immersive experience transforms the theater into a cozy room filled with cardboard boxes, sheets, clothespins, couches and more, where families can build their own magical fort. From Nov. 30-Jan. 5 at 4041 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $12-$18. Visit filamenttheatre.org.

Guitarist-composer Kaki King presents “Bugs,” a fun-filled, 60-minute show which brings together music, design and technology in an interactive performance that encourages children to think about nature, ecology and the animal kingdom. At 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $18-$23. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Holiday Fun

The 90th Chicago Thanksgiving Parade features an appearance by actor Lynn Whitfield (“The Chi”), marching bands, floats, live music (country singers Reyna Roberts and Lee Strickland), equestrian units and cultural performance troupes. From 8-11 a.m. Nov. 28 on State from Ida B. Wells to Randolph. Visit chicagothanksgivingparade.com.

Light up the Lake transforms Navy Pier into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights. Enjoy a two-story ice slide, outdoor firepits, weekly fireworks, drone shows, craft workshops, an artist’s market, music performances, craft workshops, visits with Santa and more. To Jan. 5 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. For a complete list of events, visit navypier.org.

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic is a lights festival featuring a 40-foot tree, a 3D gingerbread house, a Tunnel of Lights, a Ferris wheel and, of course, animals. Plus there are seasonal special events including a Jolly Gingerbread Party, Dinner with Santa and more. From 3-9 p.m. on select dates through Dec. 31 at 8400 31st, Brookfield. Admission: $20.95-$29.95. For more information, visit brookfieldzoo.org/events.