Theater
- Northlight Theatre and Theater Wit present “Prayer for the French Republic,” Joshua Harmon’s drama that follows five generations of a French-Jewish family in a sweeping look at history, home and the effects of ancient hatred. Jeremy Wechsler directs. From April 10-May 11 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $49-$91. Visit northlight.org.
- Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s “Titanic the Musical” is a portrait of the passengers on board the infamous ship and the tragedy that followed. Directed by Connor Gallagher. From April 10-June 1 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets: $70-$83. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
- Andrew Hinderaker’s critically acclaimed work, “Obliteration,” is a fusion of stand-up comedy and theater that tells the story of two comedians (Cyd Blakewell and Michael Patrick Thornton) trying to make sense of a world that’s falling apart. Jonathan Berry directs. From April 10-May 4 at Revival Theater, 906 S. Wabash. Tickets: $35. Visit the-revival.com.
- Ben Auxier and L.C. Bernadine’s comedy “The Whole Seamus Thing” is a send-up of life in a nonprofit organization. This is a full production of the audience favorite at Bramble Theatre’s 2023 Festival of Unfinished work. Spencer Huffman directs. From April 11-19 at Bramble Arts Loft, 5545 N. Clark. Tickets: $22. Visit bit.ly/seamusthing.
- “A Jukebox for the Algonquin” is Paul Stroili’s comedy about a group of senior citizens who hatch an unusual plot to acquire the funds to buy a juke box for their care center’s recreation room. Scott Westerman directs. From April 16-May 18 at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan, Lake Forest. Tickets: $45. Visit citadeltheatre.org.
Dance
- The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Joffrey Ballet collaborate on the premiere of two ballets: Amy Hall Garner’s “Second Nature” set to Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s Sinfonietta No. 1 and Nicolas Blanc’s “Les Bœufoons” set to Darius Milhaud’s “Le Bœuf sur le toit (The Ox on the Roof).” From April 10-13 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $55+. Visit cso.org.
- Twyla Tharp Dance, now celebrating Tharp’s 60th anniversary as a choreographer, presents “Diabelli,” set to Beethoven’s masterpiece of the same name, and a new work set to Philip Glass’ iconic “Aguas da Amazonia,” arranged and performed by Third Coast Percussion. At 7:30 p.m. April 10-11 and 2 p.m. April 12 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $74+. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.
- Contemporary dance company, Parsons Dance, presents works from its repertoire including “Nascimento,” a piece honoring Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento; “Shining Star,” which pays tribute to music group Earth Wind & Fire; David Parsons’ “Caught”; and Alvin Ailey’s “Juke.” At 7:30 p.m. April 12 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $30+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
Music
- Canadian outfit The Weather Station, fronted by singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, has been releasing “emotionally attuned, patiently beautiful music” for more than a decade. Check it out at 8 p.m. April 10 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $25. Visit lh-st.com.
- Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin tours behind his new album, “Rayo,” which continues his high-octane mix of rap, reggaeton, pop and EDM ready-made for dancing. At 8 p.m. April 13 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $41+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- Experience some of opera’s greatest hits at “A Wondrous Sound,” a program that includes works by Puccini, Rossini and Bizet and performed by the Lyric Opera chorus and orchestra. At 7 p.m. April 16 and 2 p.m. April 19 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $51+. Visit lyricopera.org.
- The repertoire of Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain spans pop to classical. Now in its 40th year, the seven-member ensemble offers “superbly tuneful fun.” At 7:30 p.m. April 15 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $35-$99. Visit cso.org.
- Singer-songwriter and award-winning mandolinist Sierra Hull tours behind “A Tip Toe High Wire,” her first album in five years, in which she steps into new progressive territory without straying too far from her bluegrass/Americana roots. Mason Via opens at 8 p.m. April 12 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. Tickets: $30. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
Museums
- “Act Well Your Part” celebrates the history of Chicago theater through the lens of Jane Addams Hull-House and its pivotal role in the development of community theater, the Little Theatre movement, improv and the non-profit storefront theater scene. Included are archival photographs from the 1890s-1960s, historic playbills and posters from avant-garde productions and more. Accompanying the exhibit is a program of performances, workshops and conversations. The open ended exhibit begins April 14 at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, 800 S. Halsted. Admission is free. Visit hullhousemuseum.org.
Movies
- “David Lynch: Moving Through Time” is a massive retrospective of the late filmmaker’s legacy including feature films, short programs, documentaries, music videos and other works as well as Lynch-adjacent works. Lynch expert Daniel Knox has curated a program that also features special guests including “Blue Velvet” editor Duwayne Dunham and “Eraserhead” star Charlotte Sweeney. From April 11-20 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $14. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
- Chicago Palestine Film Festival (April 12-26 with encores April 28-May 1) showcases the diverse narratives of Palestinian cinema via a selection of feature films, documentaries and shorts. Among the films are Carol Mansour’s “A State of Passion,” Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth’s “The Palestine Exception” and Mohammad Bakri’s “Janin, Jenin.” At Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $14.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.