25 things to do in Chicago Sept. 10-16

Theater

• Johnny Galecki and Jacob Moskovitz star in Gregg Ostrin’s drama “Kowalski.” Set in 1947 Provincetown, it imagines a meeting between Tennessee Williams and a young Marlon Brando, just as the playwright is looking for the actor to star in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Colin Hanlon directs. From Sept. 15-Oct. 25 at Lookingglass Theatre, Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. Tickets: $37-$97. Visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

• “The Humanities” is Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s ripped-from-the-headlines story that explores the events after a controversial speaker is invited to lecture at an American university. Eddie Torres directs. From Sept. 10-Oct. 4 at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $55+. Visit victorygardens.org.

• “Play On!” is Sheldon Epps and Cheryl L. West’s jazz musical that tells Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night” through the timeless tunes of composer Duke Ellington. Epps directs. From Sept. 11-Oct. 18 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $65, with $30 tickets for those under the age of 30. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
• Idris Goodwin’s “How We Got On” is the story of three suburban teens who chase their dreams of becoming the next big thing in rap music. Tyrone Phillips directs. From Sept. 11-27 at Definition Theatre, 1160 E. 55th St. Tickets: $35. Visit definitiontheatre.org.

• A Red Orchid Theatre remounts its hit production of “Birds of North America,” Anna Ouyang Moench’s play about the relationship of a father (John Judd) and a daughter (Cassidy Slaughter-Mason) as they struggle to understand each other. Kirsten Fitzgerald directs. From Sept. 10-Oct. 4 at 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets: $61. Visit aredorchidtheatre.org.
• James Sie’s adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic fantasy novel, “A Wrinkle in Time,” finds three children on a journey into the heart of a terrible evil in the hope of reuniting a fragmented family. From Sept. 11-Oct. 18 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Tickets: $47. Visit lifelinetheatre.com.

• Eliza Bent’s comedy, “Bonnie’s Last Flight,” follows a flight crew whose dreams and regrets prompt the question: What does it take to really start living? Devon de Mayo directs. From Sept. 12-Oct. 17 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. Tickets: $38-$88. Visit rivendelltheatre.org.
• Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s “Ride the Cyclone” is set in an abandoned theme park where six teens died on the roller coaster and where they now return to grapple with the lives they led on Earth and the choices they made. Lillian Castillo directs. From Sept. 16-Oct. 25 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $25-$49. Visit metropolisarts.com.
• Idle Muse Theatre presents “Witch,” Jen Silverman’s drama about a charming devil who arrives in a quiet village where he bargains for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Libby Beyreis directs. From Sept. 10-Oct 10 at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. Tickets: $20-$50. Visit idlemuse.org.
• Guillem Clua’s “The Swallow,” set during a private singing lesson between a choral director and a new student, is about loss, compassion and the possibility of connection. Laine Rogers directs. From Sept. 11-27 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit openspacearts.org.
• Water People Theater stages Néstor Caballero’s “Muses,” which imagines a meeting between Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and American writer Sylvia Plath. Iraida Tapias directs. From Sept. 11-27 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $30-$45. Visit theaterwit.org.

Music

• Josh Lloyd-Watson, Tom McFarland and Lydia Kitto front the British band Jungle. Their mix of modern soul, funk, neo-soul and electronic dance music continues on the band’s new album, “Sunshine.” And, if you haven’t already done so, check out Jungle’s music videos that feature the band’s music but not the band. Instead, they showcase an ensemble of terrific dancers taking the music to a new level. Rio Kosta opens. At 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $46+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• Evanston Folk Festival features performances by Trampled By Turtles, Sierra Hull, Valerie June, Mdou Moctar, Indigo Girls, Josh Ritter, James McMurtry, Margaret Glaspy, Kathleen Edwards, Tift Merritt and more. From 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sept. 12-13 at Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Rd., Evanston. Tickets: $93.77+; festival pass $176.57. Visit evanstonfolkfestival.com.

• Norwegian singer Sondre Lerche tours behind his first full-length album of new material in more than four years. It’s an emotionally expansive collection that moves between joy and introspection while searching for love in an uncertain world. Julian Saunders opens. At 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $39.50, $47.25. Visit lh-st.com.

• The Killers’ front man Brandon Flowers is on a tour promoting his new solo album, “Thrasher.” Recorded in Nashville, it features some of the city’s renowned players including guitarist David Rawlings, pedal steel player Bruce Bouton and legendary harmonica player Charlie McCoy. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave. Tickets: $45-$75. Visit jamusa.com.
• Pravda Fest celebrates 40 years for the Chicago label Pravda Records with more than a dozen acts on the roster including The Handcuffs, The Effigies, Jon Langford, The Claudettes, Nathan Graham, Nora O’Connor, Steve Dawson, The Imperial Sound and more. Begins at noon Sept. 12 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets: $50.65-$66.10. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Museums

• “If Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American Ground” brings together photographs by more than 110 artists from the Museum of Contemporary Photography’s collection that serve as a creative monument to Till’s unlived life and continuing legacy. Featured artists include Endia Beal, Dawoud Bey, Phil Borges, Sheila Pree Bright, Dorothea Lange, Annie Leibovitz, Gordon Parks, Walter Rosenblum, Hank Willis Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems and many more. From Sept. 10-Dec. 19 at the Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave. Admission is free. Visit mocp.org.
• “Collecting Stories” provides a glimpse into the Newberry Library’s collection by pairing recent acquisitions alongside pre-existing items from the collection. The pairings illustrate how the diverse collection continues to grow and evolve, generating new stories over time. From Sept. 10-Dec. 30 at 60 W. Walton St. Admission is free. Visit newberry.org.

Movies

• Chicago Film Archives presents “Inside/Out: Stories of Origin and Dis/Placement,” a series of four films made by Chicago-based women begins with Maria Moraites’ “A Nice Place to Live,” which examines neighborhood roots, property values, urban revitalization and race relations from the perspective of residents of the Austin neighborhood. Upcoming films are Susan Stechnij’s “Mi Raza: Portrait of a Family,” Susan Dobinsky and Julia Kurtz’s “Street Signs: Murals in Chicago” and Silvia Malagrino’s “Burnt Oranges.” At 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays Sept. 16-Oct. 14 at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave. Admission is free. Visit chicagofilmarchives.org.
• Chicago Film Society begins its 41st season with a screening of Chicago filmmaker Tom Palazzolo’s first feature film “Caligari’s Cure” (8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave., $15). The 1982 film is a semi-autobiographical chronicle of his own childhood. The season’s eclectic lineup of films continues through Dec. 16 at various venues. For a complete list of films, visit chicagofilmsociety.org.

Festival fun

• Printers Row Lit Fest brings together more than 200 national and local authors, journalists, poets, screenwriters, booksellers and storytellers for a celebration of literature and ideas. Children’s programming includes storytelling, music, dance, a storybook parade and interactive activities. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 12-13 on Dearborn Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Polk Street. Admission is free. Visit printersrowlitfest.org.
• After taking a pause last summer, El Grito Chicago returns in full force with its all-encompassing celebration of Mexican culture from food and music to folklorico dancers, a market and children’s activities. The music lineup includes Adriel Favela, Emmanuel Cortes, Mi Banda El Mexicano, Mariachi Herencia de Mexico and more. From 2-10 p.m. Sept. 12-13 at Grant Park’s Butler Field, DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Monroe Street. Tickets: $16.15+, children 10 and under free. Visit elgritochicago.com.

• Explore the Ravenswood ArtWalk and enjoy art, music and community while also meeting artists and getting a peek inside studios and galleries. Plus there’s pop-up performances and activations, an arts market with more than 90 artisans, a children’s area and a beer garden. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 12-13 on Ravenswood Avenue from Irving Park Road to Lawrence Avenue. Admission: $5-$10 suggested donation. Visit ravenswoodchicago.org.
• Chicago German-American Oktoberfest includes traditional German food, drinks, music and dancing groups. Plus there’s a parade and carnival games. From 5-10 p.m. Sept. 11, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 12 and noon-9 p.m. Sept. 13 on Lincoln Avenue from Irving Park Road to Western Avenue. Admission is free. Visit germanday.com.

• The annual Family Fall Fest includes bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon sculptures, pumpkin painting and music with Jeanie B and the Jelly Beans. From 1-5 p.m. Sept. 12 at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Admission is free. Visit parkwaybankpark.com.