25 things to do in Chicago May 7-13

Theater

• A Red Orchid Theatre concludes its 33rd season with “The Targeted,” Hanna Kime’s tragicomedy about a summit attended by the most persecuted, tortured and misunderstood people in the world where they will discuss strategies to take down the deep state and bring awareness to their plight. Grace Dolezal-Ng directs. From May 7-June 14 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Tickets: $55. Visit aredorchidtheatre.org.
• “Les Misérables” is the Tony Award-winning musical based on Victor Hugo’s novel where French convict Jean Valjean seeks redemption and Javert is the police officer who pursues him. From May 12-24 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $49-$140. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
• First Floor Theater presents “Work Hard Have Fun Make History,” reid tang’s experimental dark comedy that explores chaos, alienation and the absurdities of modern capitalism. Tina El Gamal directs. From May 7-June 6 at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Tickets: $10-$40. Visit firstfloortheater.com.

• Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its “Lost Episodes” parody series with David Cerda’s “The Golden Girls: The Cheese Pyramid,” in which Rose stumbles upon a unique business opportunity. Brigitte Ditmars directs. From May 8-June 21 at The Clutch, 4335 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $44-$59. Visit handbagproductions.org.
• Buffalo Theatre Ensemble stages “Birthday Candles,” Noah Haidle’s drama that follows Ernestine Ashworth from her 17th birthday through her 101st, tracing the dreams, heartbreaks and extraordinary moments of her ordinary life. Steve Scott directs. From May 7-June 7 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $48. Visit atthemac.org.

• PrideArts presents “Call Me Elizabeth,” an expanded version of Kayla Boye’s one-woman show that examines actress Elizabeth Taylor’s life, career and loves. Michael Weber directs. From May 8-10 at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $35. Visit pridearts.org.
• The Conspirators present “Tartuffe, or, The Charlatan,” Molière’s comedy, set in the home of the wealthy Orgon, where Tartuffe, a fraud and charlatan, hatches a plan and wreaks havoc. Wm. Bullion directs. From May 14-June 7 at Stars & Garters, 3914 N. Clark St. Tickets: $30. Visit conspirewithus.org.
• Porchlight Music Theatre presents its annual fundraising concert, “Chicago Sings Broadway’s British Invasion,” featuring performances by music theater artists that celebrate the influence of Great Britain on Broadway and beyond. At 7 p.m. May 11 at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. Tickets, $175, $200. Visit porchlightmusictheatre.org.
• Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus’ adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel,“Crime and Punishment,” compresses all the tension and pathos of the classic story into a powerful 90-minute play with three actors. Jacqueline Stone directs. From May 7-June 28 at TUTA Theatre, 4670 N. Manor Ave. Tickets: $20-$100. Visit tutatheatre.org.

Dance

• Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble presents the world premiere of Ellyzabeth Adler’s “Architecture of Memory,” which explores perseverance, hope and self-discovery through dance, film, theater and music. From May 8-23 at Chicago Danztheatre, 1650 W. Foster Ave. Tickets: $10-$25. Visit danztheatre.org.

Music

• Jazz artist Samara Joy has been called the heir to legends like Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Carmen McRae. The Grammy Award winner, who has helped introduce timeless American music to a new generation of fans, performs with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $75+. Visit cso.org.

• Formed in North Carolina and shaped by both the Appalachian Mountains and the Piedmont region, Steep Canyon Rangers has balanced a respect for bluegrass tradition with contemporary songwriting shaped by literary influence, regional storytelling and lived experience. The band’s new album, “Next Act,” is due out May 22. At 5 and 8 p.m. May 9 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $50. Visit oldtownschool.org.

• After losing her voice, Chicago-based artist Gia Margaret recorded two largely instrumental albums. Now, with her voice healed, she comes full circle with “Singing,” her first vocal album since 2018. Rolling Stone says it’s “a true musical delight, a cohesive, comforting body of work.” At 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $33.52-$52.98. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
• Acoustic guitar virtuosos Rodrigo y Gabriela are in the midst of a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled 2006 album that put them on the map. It showcased one of their signature songs, “Tamacun” as well as their love of classic rock with a cover of “Stairway to Heaven.” At 8 p.m. May 13 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets: $60+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• Belting for Life, a benefit for AIDS Foundation Chicago, is a cabaret-style show featuring a lineup of the biggest voices in local musical theater. At 7:30 p.m. May 11 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $50, $20 streaming option. Visit action.aidschicago.org/event/belting-for-life-2025/e675225.

Museums

• Drawing from the Art Institute’s collection, “Embroidered Traditions from Morocco to Afghanistan” showcases more than 70 works from Southwest Asia and North Africa. Included are textiles, jewelry and adornments from the 18th through the 20th century. To Jan. 25 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.

• “Images of Faith” brings together ancient artifacts and contemporary icons that trace three millennia of spiritual beliefs and sacred rituals in Mexico from the cosmovisions of Mesoamerica through the arrival of 16th century Roman Catholicism and popular faith in today’s world. To Aug. 16 at National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Admission is free. Visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Movies

• Asian American Showcase presents new work by established and emerging Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander filmmakers. Among the feature films are Jing Ai Ng’s “Forge,” Ramzi Bashour’s “Hot Water,” Sarita Khurana’s “Seat at the Table” and Kimberlee Bassford’s “Before the Moon Falls.” From May 7-12 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $14. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
• Carl Deal and Tia Lessin”s “Steal this Story, Please!” is a portrait of trailblazing journalist Amy Goodman whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. The directors and Goodman will take part in a Q&A after screenings at 7:30 p.m. May 8 and 2:30 and 6 p.m. May 9 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Tickets: $13. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

• “Hekla” is Chicago filmmaker Michael Glover Smith’s comedy-drama about a determined Chicago actress (Elizabeth Stam) who races through auditions, breakups and self-doubt over the course of one chaotic day as she steps into the artist and woman she’s meant to be. At 7 p.m. May 10 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Tickets: $13. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
• Movie Nights at Gallagher Way return with a roster of popular films including “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Zootopia 2,” “Black Panther,” “High School Musical” and more. At 6 p.m. Wednesdays twice a month from May 13-Sept. 30 at Gallagher Way, Addison and Clark Streets. Admission is free. For a complete schedule, visit gallagherway.com.
• Sapphopalooza pays tribute to sapphic on-screen culture with screenings of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s “The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant,” Todd Haynes’ “Carol,” Gurinder Chadha’s “Bend It Like Beckham” and more. From May 9-31 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Tickets: $11. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Family fun

• Join singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and special guests for “Mother Goose & the Cabinet of Wonder,” a joyful singalong featuring traditional nursery rhymes adapted by Merchant. At 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. May 9 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $25+. Visit cso.org.
• “Around the World with Hans Christian Andersen” breathes new life into a handful of Andersen’s beloved tales: “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Nightingale,” “The Ugly Duckling” and, with help from the audience, “The Little Mermaid.” From May 6-23 at Metropolis Centre for the Performing Arts, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $15. Visit metropolisarts.com.

• “Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue” allows fans and first-time explorers to step into the world of Minecraft via an immersive, action-packed journey through the video game’s seven realms in a quest to rescue a village under siege from a zombie attack. Opens May 8 at EXP Rosemont, 9900 Berwyn Ave., Rosemont. Tickets: $28+. Visit minecraftexperience.com.