17 things to do in Chicago April 2-8

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2 weeks ago

A new take on Shakespeare’s raucous comedy, “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” reveals there is much more to the charming English hamlet than meets the eye as Mistress Page (Ora Jones) and Mistress Ford (Issy van Randwyck) find themselves the romantic targets of lovable rogue John Falstaff (Jason Simon). Phillip Breen directs. From April 2-May 3 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 W. Grand Ave. Tickets: $51+; $30 for age 30 and under. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
Subtext Studio Theatre presents “Odessa,” Dante Flores’ science fiction play about a young scientist at a lonely research facility in western Texas who investigates an extraterrestrial life form. Omar V. Fernandez directs the world premiere. From April 9-19 at Urban Theater Company, 2620 W. Division St. Tickets: $29.05. Visit subtextstudiotc.org.
“Father of the Bride” is Caroline Francke’s comedy, adapted from Edward Streeter’s novel, about a father who has a hard time letting go of his daughter when she announces her wedding plans. Michael Heitzman directs. From April 8-May 31 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $85-$150. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.
Eos Theatre presents Caroline Bird’s “The Trojan Women,” a modern-day version of Euripides’ anti-war play now set in a mother-and-baby unit of a prison. Rachel Sledd Iannantuoni directs. From April 2-18 at Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark St. Tickets: $45. Visit eostheatre.org.

New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theatre presents “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party,” an immersive work set in the back room of a corner shop where Mrs. Krishnan (Kalyani Nagarajan) is throwing a party like no other. From April 7-26 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Upstairs Studio Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $49+; $30 for age 30 and under. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
Lee Osorio’s new play, “A Third Way,” reimagines what love, marriage and family can look like in the 21st century. David Zak directs. From April 3-19 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit openspacearts.org.

Broadway performer Tyler Hanes stars in “Heartbreak Hotel,” the bio-musical about the rise of rock icon Elvis Presley, which includes a roster of the singer’s iconic hit songs. Directed and choreographed by Deidre Goodwin. From April 8-May 31 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets: $78+. Visit marriotttheatre.com.

On his new album “Homeaid,” Chicago Farmer (aka Cody Diekhoff) taps into his Midwest small-town upbringing to honor his past through uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics. He performs along with his band The Fieldnotes at 8 p.m. April 3-4 at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. Opening the show is Levi Snider and Friends singing the songs of his late singer-songwriter uncle Todd Snider. Tickets: $20. Visit martyrslive.com.

The Last Dinner Party tour behind their recent release, “From the Pyre,” which finds the London five-piece developing and maturing their songwriting together. DIY Magazine calls it “instantly addictive.” At 7:30 p.m. April 4 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $71+. Visit saltshedchicago.com.

Ukrainian folk artists Yagody continue their mission to preserve and reimagine the folk traditions of their native land through bold vocal arrangements, rich instrumentation and theatrical intensity thus creating music that is both ancient and urgent. At 7:30 p.m. April 6 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $30+. Visit citywinery.com.
Chicago is serving as Global Host City for International Jazz Day, with hundreds of events taking place across the city including concerts, educational programs and community events. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free. Check out a list of events at chicago.jazzday.com.
Chicago Grateful Dead tribute band Railheart featuring Noah Plotkin, Packy Lundholm, Jared Rabin, Danny Chaimson and Adam Gardner pays tribute to the band’s co-founder, the late Bob Weir. At 8 p.m. April 3 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $27.27. Visit evanstonspace.com.

“Gertrude Abercrombie: The Whole World Is a Mystery” shines a light on the Chicago painter’s strange, beautiful and deeply personal world. Abercrombie (1909-1977), a leading figure in Hyde Park’s art scene, created paintings that reveal an artist whose spare, dreamlike imagery became a language of introspection and imagination. To July 19 at Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee. Admission: $27, 12 and under free. Visit mam.org.

“Under Pressure” is the first solo exhibition of work by Chicago artist Ana Teresa Fernández. Through video, installation, painting and performance, she confronts the irreversible impact to the planet caused by human activity. To Aug. 2 at National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Admission is free. Visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Beyond Chicago is a four-day festival of 30 feature films filled with cinematic chaos and carnage from across the globe. Films include Curry Barker’s “Obsession,” Daniel Goldhaber’s “Faces of Death,” Jorma Taccone’s “Over Your Dead Body,” Kenji Tanigaki’s “The Furious” and many more. Among the actors and filmmakers appearing with their films are Bob Odenkirk (“Normal”), Lilly Wachowski (“Speed Racer), rapper RZA (“One Spoon of Chocolate”) and Japanese cinema icon Meiko Kaji. From April 2-5 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Ticket prices vary. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Celebrate spring and find inspiration for your own garden at two popular flower shows. “Showers of Flowers” (Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.) features more than 80 hanging baskets filled with trailing vines, ferns and colorful flowers. “Jewels of Spring” (Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive) showcases the flowers of the Tower of Jewels, a dramatic colorful plant that grows spikes 2 to 3 feet tall. Plus there’s tulips, violets, orchids and more on display. Both shows run through May 10 and admission is free. Registration is required, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/conservatory-flower-shows.
Spring Egg-Stravaganza features an egg hunt, photo ops with the Easter bunny, music, face painting, Lionel Train Adventure rides, carousel rides and more. For ages 1-8. From 7:45-11:45 a.m. April 4 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. Tickets: $26.29. Visit lpzoo.org.

Chicago Line Cruises’ Chicago River Architecture Tour has begun a new season of 90-minute tours of the river’s main, north and south branches that highlight the history, design and engineering behind many of the city’s most celebrated buildings. Tours run through late fall and depart from the Ogden Slip located at River East Plaza, 465 N. McClurg Court. For more information on this and other specialty tours, visit chicagoline.com.