Things to Do in Chicago June 12-18: The Mix

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3 weeks ago

Invictus Theatre takes on the challenge of staging “Angels in America,” Tony Kushner’s monumental two-part play that examines the social, sexual and religious issues facing the country as the AIDS crisis gained momentum in the 1980s. A single cast performs both parts — “Millennium Approaches” and “Perestroika” — in repertory. Charles Askenaizer directs. June 13-Sept. 7 at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park. Tickets: $25, $38. Visit invictustheatreco.com.
Sandy Rustin’s “Always Something There” is a musical homage to the teen movies of the 1980s. When a woman wakes up on her 45th birthday as her 18-year-old self, she has a chance to rewrite her past. The score features tunes by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Culture Club and more. James Vásquez directs. From June 18-Aug. 10 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets: $70-$93. Visit marriotttheatre.com.

The Second City e.t.c. presents “The Chaos Theory of Everything,” a new sketch and improv revue featuring Tim Metzler, Meghan Babbe, Jenelle Cheyne, Max Thomas, Spencer Hodges, Javid Iqbal. Ongoing at The Second City, 230 W. North. Tickets: $39+. Visit secondcity.com.
Colette Gregory’s solo show, “Black Best Friend,” dissects Black media tropes with satirical sketches, comedic songs and recognizable characters. From June 12-14 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted. Tickets: $25. Visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.
BrightSide Theatre stages Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Pippin,” the tale of a prince who learns the true meaning of happiness. Jeffrey Cass directs. From June 13-29 at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Tickets: $32-$37. Visit brightsidetheatre.com.

Riccardo Muti returns to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to conduct a series of concerts. Esteban Batallán, CSO’s principal trumpet, performs a pair of concertos, plus works by Haydn and Schubert (June 12-14, $55+). The CSO chorus joins the orchestra for Verdi’s Requiem Mass (June 19-21, 24; $55+). At Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Visit cso.org.

The trio I’m With Her (Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins) tours behind their new album “Wild and Clear and Blue,” a collection of songs filled with luminous harmonies and a passion for expanding the possibilities of folk music. At 8 p.m. June 13 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. Tickets: $52.73. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
Chicago’s own Liz Callaway returns with her acclaimed Grammy-nominated tribute to Stephen Sondheim, an evening filled with music and stories of working with the man whose music changed her life. At 7:30 p.m. June 14 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan. Tickets: $60-$100. Visit fineartsbuilding.com/events/.
Check out a range of country tunes with this fine lineup — Dierks Bentley, Zach Top and The Band Loula at 7 p.m. June 14 at Credit 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland. Tickets: $31+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

“Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature” (to Aug. 17 at Driehaus Museum, 50 E. Erie, $10-$20) is a lovely exhibit that explores the trailblazing legacy of the Scottish artist whose work was a major turning point in the development of modern botanical art. McEwen also was a celebrated folk musician who introduced American blues, jazz and folk music to British audiences. This side of the artist is celebrated in a concert featuring Skerryvore, Iona Fyfe, John Ballantyne’s Crazyheart and more (7 p.m. June 12 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, $45). Visit driehausmuseum.org and oldtownschool.org.

African Diaspora International Film Festival features films that honor the human experience of people of color. Among the 12 films are Tessa Leuwsha’s “Mother Suriname: Mama Sranan,” Nirmal Chander’s “All the World’s a Stage,” Jayan Cherian’s “Rhythm of Dammam,” Nadia Fall’s “Brides,” Karen Chapman’s “Village Keeper” and more. From June 13-15 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton. Tickets: $13-$65. Visit facets.org.

“Patterned by Nature” is a series of nature-inspired installations that feature dynamic patterns, transformational art and upcycled fashion. Included are Raquel Rodrigo’s “Future,” Rachel B. Hayes’ “Ebb and Flow” and “Radiate,” Kristin Field’s “Noticing” and “A Better Fashion, a collaboration with Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion. To Sept. 21 at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe. Admission prices vary. Visit chicagobotanic.org.
“21Minus,” an annual showcase of creativity by Chicago youth, features artists younger than 21 who take over the Museum of Contemporary Art with installations, workshops, performances, videos, music and print works. Plus there’s listening lounges and games throughout the museum. From 1-6 p.m. June 14 at 220 E. Chicago. Admission: Pay-what-you-can $1-$19. Visit mcachicago.org.

Puerto Rican Fest includes music and dance performances, carnival rides, children’s activities, food vendors, art installations and more. From 3-10 p.m. June 12-13 and noon-10 p.m. June 14-15 in Humboldt Park, 2800 W. Division. Admission: $17.50+. Also the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade begins at 2 p.m. June 14 on Division from Western to Sacramento. Visit puertoricanfest.com.

Andersonville Midsommarfest celebrates Swedish culture and history with activities including a maypole dance, food, vendors, children’s activities and more. Music and entertainment acts perform on five stages. From 5-10 p.m. June 13, noon-10 p.m. June 14, noon-9 p.m. June 15 on Clark from Foster to Gregory. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit andersonville.org/events.
Art, music and more can be found at two long-running events within walking distance of each other. Old Town Art Fair (10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 14 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 15 at Lincoln and Wisconsin, $12 suggested donation) features 230 artists and a popular garden walk. Wells Street Art Festival (10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 14 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. June 15 on Wells from North to Division, $10 suggested donation) showcases 130 juried artists. Visit oldtownartfair.org and chicagoevents.com.