Theater
- Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Tony Award-winning musical, “The Sound of Music,” is the tale of governess Maria and the von Trapp family singers and their escape from Austria during the rise of Nazism. The score features classics such as “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Jack O’Brien directs. From Oct. 21-Nov. 2 at Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $40-$125. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- Saint Sebastian Players presents F. Andrew Leslie’s adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel “The Haunting of Hill House.” When supernatural phenomena are investigated at a house with a sinister reputation, evil forces are awakened. Jack Dugan Carpenter directs. From Oct. 17-Nov. 9 at St. Bonaventure Church, 1625 W. Diversey Pkwy. Tickets: $35. Visit saintsebastianplayers.org.
- MPAACT presents “Machine Made,” Shepsu Aakhu’s drama based on the memories of Chuck Bowen, a Chicago “machine-made” public servant who rose to prominence in the Democratic Party of the 1950s. From Oct. 17-Nov. 23 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $26+. Visit mpaact.org.
- “Chicago: Queerly Adapted from the Play You’ve Never Heard of That Inspired the Musical You Can’t Get Away From” is Eileen Dixon’s queer adaptation of Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play, “Chicago,” which also inspired the Broadway musical “Chicago.” From Oct. 19-Nov. 23 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $10-$60. Visit redtwisttheatre.org.
- Babes with Blades Theatre Company presents Jillian Leff’s “The Mark,” a drama set in a dystopian society where a young laborer is given an unexpected chance to join the army. Richard Costes directs. To Nov. 22 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. Tickets: $30. Visit babeswithblades.org.
Dance
- Giordano Dance Chicago performs a program featuring Simon Schuh’s “Interlinked,” Gus Giordano’s “Sing, Sing, Sing,” Al Blackstone’s “Gershwin in B,” Nan Giordano and Cesar G. Salinas’ “333” and Ray Leeper’s “Red & Black.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $36+. Visit northshorecenter.org.
Music
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director designate Klaus Mäkelä conducts “Symphonie fantastique,” Berlioz’s piece about a lovesick artist obsessed with a young actress. Also performed is Berlioz’s “Harold in Italy,” featuring violinist Antoine Tamestit. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16-18 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $49+. Visit cso.org.
- Neko Case’s new album “Neon Grey Midnight Green” is her “biggest-sounding and most intimate-feeling solo album to date.” Earlier this year, Case’s compelling memoir “The Harder I Fight the More I Love You” was called “an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary life.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $54+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- The Chicago Philharmonic and Apollo Chorus plus guest artists perform the world premiere of Stacy Garrop’s piano concerto “Invictus” and the Midwest premiere of Damien Geter’s “An African American Requiem,” which blends classical music with styles from the Black diaspora. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $25.50-$94.50. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.
- Coming to town for two arena shows are R&B artists Brandy and Monica. It’s their first ever co-headlining tour more than 25 years after the release of their hit duet, “The Boy Is Mine,” which earned them a Grammy in 1999. With Kelly Rowland and Muni Long at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $152+. With Coco Jones and Muni Long at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Wintrust Arena, 200 E. Cermak Road. Tickets: $120+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- Prolific and poetic singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza tours behind her new album, “Precipice.” The new songs put her “in unexpected conversation with stars like Lorde and Charli XCX,” according to the New York Times. Mothé opens at 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $41+. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
Museums
- “Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind” is a comprehensive solo exhibition chronicling the trailblazing career of the artist, musician and activist. Included are more than 200 works including participatory instruction pieces and scores, installations, performance, a curated music room, films, music, photography and archival materials. From Oct. 18-Feb. 22 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Admission: $10-$22. Visit mcachicago.org.
Movies
- From the 1970s to the early 2000s, Chicago writer-photojournalist-filmmaker Bill Stamets documented Chicago’s many protests, parades and political campaigns. Now the Chicago Film Archives have digitized and made publicly available 70 hours of Stamets’ work via its website. A selection of Stamets’ films are screened at “Small Gauge, Big Shoulders: Films by Bill Stamets” at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Admission is free. Visit chicagofilmarchives.org. (Editor’s note: Bill Stamets is a contributor to the Sun-Times.)
Family fun
- The Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House Chicago, the popular behind-the-scenes exploration of Chicago architecture, returns Oct. 18-19 at 215 sites across city neighborhoods including skyscraper rooftops, historic landmarks, houses of worship, workspaces, schools and more. New additions to the free event’s roster include Chicago Magic Lounge, Intuit Art Museum, National Public Housing Museum, Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio and more. For more information, visit architecture.org.
- Brookfield Zoo has unveiled a new dolphin show, Dolphin Discovery, that invites viewers to connect more deeply with bottlenose dolphins, the animal specialists who care for them and the conservation scientists who protect the dolphins in the wild. Show times are daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Zoo admission: $20.95-$29.95, children 2 and under free; Dolphin Discovery: $4-$8. Visit brookfieldzoo.org.
Halloween happenings
- Luma8 presents the 11th annual Arts in the Dark Halloween parade, a free family-friendly event featuring floats, puppets, performances and more created by Chicago’s creative communities including cultural organizations, youth programs and artists. From 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18 on State Street from Randolph Street to Van Buren Street. Visit artsinthedark.com.
- House of Creeps transforms Wintrust Field’s stadium into a spooky haunted house. It’s a chilling experience for those brave enough to face what lurks inside. From 2-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday the haunt transforms into a kid-friendly zone for children 12 and under. From Oct. 17-Nov. 1 at 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Tickets: $12-$25. Visit schaumburghalloween.com/hoc.
- Experience the eerie side of Chicago with the 45-minute Seadog Haunted River Tour, an evening adventure complete with chilling tales, mysterious legends and ghostly sightings. Thursdays-Saturdays until Oct. 31 at River Esplanade, 455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive. Tickets: $51.95, children 3 and under free. Visit cityexperiences.com.