20 things to do in Chicago July 16-22

Theater

• Max Martin and David West Read’s musical “& Juliet” flips the script on the love story of Romeo and Juliet and wonders what would happen if Juliet (Fabiola Caraballo Quijada) didn’t end it all over Romeo. Features Martin’s pop anthems including “Since U Been Gone,” “Baby One More Time,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and more. The cast includes Joey Fatone of NSYNC fame who portrays Lance, the love interest of Juliet’s nurse. Luke Sheppard directs. From July 22-Aug. 2 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $49-$175. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

• Babes With Blades stage the world premiere of playwright SMJ’s “yo ho,” a reimagining of queer history in the story of Anne Bonny (Rachel Sleek Bañuelos) and Mary Read (Sierra Bryn), two pirates aboard a campy, sexually charged ship facing immediate threat from the crown. JD Caudill directs. From July 19-Aug. 29 at The Edge Theater Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. Tickets: $35. Visit babeswithblades.org.
• Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre presents the annual Gloria Bond Clunie Playwright’s Festival featuring readings of two short one-act plays on July 18 — Beckett Thompson’s “Black Enough” (5 p.m.) and Caitlin Frazier’s “Visitation” (7 p.m.) — and on July 19 a reading of Annie Janeiro Randall’s “Miss Spence’s Play” (3 p.m.). At Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Tickets: $15. Visit cityofevanston.org.

• Lewis Rawlinson’s solo piece with live music, “Nervous Breakdown in G Minor,” traces his journey through queerness, addiction and mental health. He grew up Mormon in Montana, trained as a classical cellist and faced the realities of pursuing a life in music. At 7:30 p.m. July 17-18, 3 p.m. July 19 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $30. Visit steppenwolf.org.
• The Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Residency presents a reading of William Glick’s “The Last Time We Saw Them,” which follows the story of three exceptional women whose ideals, rivalries and love of country and each other help forge the American of the 2020s. At 7:30 p.m. July 20 at Goodman Theatre, Healy Rehearsal Hall, 170 N. Dearborn St. Free, RSVP at goodmantheatre.org.
• Northwestern University’s MFA acting students take the stage in productions helmed by Chicago directors: Samuel D. Hunter’s “The Harvest” directed by Jonathan Berry (July 17-19), and Marisela Treviño Orta’s “The River Bride” directed by Miranda Gonzalez (July 31-Aug. 2). At Wirtz Center for Performing Arts, 710 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Tickets: $11-$23. Visit wirtz.northwestern.edu.

Music

• Rush co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson return to the stage for their Fifty Something Tour, which celebrates the band’s music and legacy and the life of late drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. Each evening of the four-night stand will include two sets with each featuring a distinct selection of greatest hits and fan favorites. At 7:30 p.m. July 16, 18, 20, 22 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $229+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• “Cirque: A Space Odyssey” features the aerial magic of Los Angeles-based Troupe Vertigo performed while the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra plays celestial music from classical works by Claude Debussy and Richard Strauss and selections from movie scores including “E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and more. At 6:30 p.m. July 22 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Admission is free. Visit grantparkmusicfestival.com.

• Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus performs songs from her latest album, “Forever Is a Feeling,” in a special performance with the Chicago Philharmonic. The new album veers away from her usual indie rock sound and instead employs lush strings and instrumentation. Chicago indie rock band Ratboys opens at 7 p.m. July 19 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan Ave. and Randolph St. Tickets: $36+. Visit jamusa.com.

• The Levitt VIBE Chicago Music Series presents Las Guaracheras, an all-female salsa group from Cali, Colombia. Their repertoire spans Afro-Caribbean rhythms and music from Colombia’s Pacific region. From 6-8 p.m. July 18 at Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. Admission is free. Visit latinoculturalcenter.org.

• On the new Thrill Jockey Records release, “Heavy Water,” reverence for Appalachian music and the complexities of nature meld in the experimental old-time music of the Magic Tuber Stringband. At 8:30 p.m. July 22 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $23.83. Visit constellation-chicago.com.
• Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival features music from the late ’90s and early 2000s including performances by Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill, Creed, Bush and more. At 1 p.m. July 18-19 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheater, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets: $67.20+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• Samoan-Australian musician Bobby Alu is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music reflects his heritage and is filled with elements of tropical folk, roots, reggae and Polynesian rhythms. At 8 p.m. July 19 at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison St., Forest Park. Tickets: $15, $20. Visit robertswestside.com.

Museums

• “Home Grown (Vol. III)” brings living plants, eco-dye textiles and mycelium sculpture directly into the galleries at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. More than 20 artists have created works that will keep growing, changing and decomposing throughout the run. It is the third in curator Lauren Iacoponi’s series exploring sustainable processes and the relationship between people and plants. To Sept. 6 at 2320 W. Chicago Ave. Admission: $10. Visit uima-chicago.org.

Movies

• Midwest Film Festival is launching Midwest Royale (July 22-26), a celebration that shines a spotlight on the filmmakers redefining the Midwest’s creative identity. Screenings include a retrospective honoring Kartemquin Films’ six decades of documentary filmmaking, and feature films such as Kelley Kali’s “Kemba,” Colette Ghunim’s “Traces of Home,” Jose Perez’s “What Rhymes with Magdalena,” Allison Walsh’s “All of the Above” and more. Screenings July 23-25 at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St. Ticket prices vary. For more information on additional screenings, opening night festivities at Rivers Casino (July 22) and the festival finale at Cinecity (July 26), visit midwestfilm.com.

Family fun

• The Goodman Theatre and the Chicago Park District present an outdoor staging of ‘The Lizard y El Sol,” a 60-minute adaptation of a Mexican folktale about a brave lizard who, when El Sol (The Sun) disappears, embarks on a quest to find and bring back the light. The all-ages free show features storytelling, music and dancing and is followed by an interactive workshop. From July 22-Aug. 9 at 11 city parks and one library. For location information and to RSVP, visit goodmantheatre.org/lizard.
• Renegade Craft Fair returns with more than 250 artists offerring everything from jewelry and clothing to household items and food and everything in between. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 18-19 in Logan Square on Kedzie Boulevard between Fullerton Avenue and Palmer Square. Visit renegadecraft.com.

Festival fun

• West Fest features live music programmed by Empty Bottle Presents, DJs, art, vendors, food trucks and more. Kid Fest offers train rides, bounce houses, pony rides, music and other kid-friendly activities. And for your canine pals there’s Pet Fest with an obstacle course, paw painting and pet vendors. From 5-10 p.m. July 17 and noon-10 p.m. July 18-19 on Chicago Avenue from Wood Street to Damen Avenue. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit westfestchicago.com.
• The 19th annual Silver Room Sound System Block Party features more than dozens of local and national artists — live bands and DJs representing Afrobeat, hip-hop, R&B, jazz and house music. There are also vendors, art, pop-ups, dance performances and more. From noon-10 p.m. July 18 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $118+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• Ravenswood on Tap Craft Beer Festival celebrates local breweries along Ravenswood Malt Row. The two-day event also features wine tastings, music, street food, handmade goods, artisans, games and more. From noon-10 p.m. July 18 and noon-8 p.m. July 19 on Ravenswood Avenue from Berteau Avenue to Belle Plaine Avenue. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit ravenswoodchicago.org.