Mickey Mouse leads the holiday procession on Saturday.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival All day Saturday along the Magnificent Mile; free
Let the holiday season begin! Mickey Mouse leads the parade of floats down Michigan Avenue as more than 1 million lights are illuminated to kick off the season. There will be music all day at the Harris Stage (401 N. Michigan Ave.) including Plain White T's at 3 p.m. There's also a fireworks display over the river starting at 7 p.m. Need some help getting into the holiday spirit? Check out our holiday guide.
The Addams Family opens this weekend at the Oriental Theatre. (Jean Lachat/Sun-Times) The Addams Family 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre; $28-$105
Catch the first family of goth as this much-acclaimed musical makes a brief stop in Chicago (it runs through January 13) before heading to Broadway. There's much to be excited about with the show, opening Friday: It is based on the New Yorker cartoons, not the campy '60s TV show (or the goofy movies of the '90s); Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth play Gomez and Morticia (cada mia!); and Andrew Lippa is in charge of the music. No word on if he got any help from Hammer.
Did you bring a banana for lunch today? Put it to good use by taking it over to the Chicago Theatre box office. The first 100 people to do so (from now 'til 1 p.m.) will get two free tickets to the November 18 dress rehearsal of Cirque du Soleil's "Banana Shpeel." You can get your potassium fix another time.
(Thanks, Gapers Block!)
The Rocky Horror Show 8 p.m., through Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre; $20
Do the Time Warp (again!) at this live theater production of the musical cult classic, with shows running through Halloween night. Dress up as your favorite character (and who wouldn't take the opportunity to emulate Meat Loaf as much as possible?), but leave the props at home. There are special goodie bags you can buy at the theater to join in on the action.
Are you a fan of college humor? No, not the hilarious comedy site -- the real thing. The third annual College Improv Tournament -- created by Jonathan Pitts, executive producer of the famed Chicago Improv Festival -- begins November 7 with the Midwest Regional at pH Productions's Studio Be Theater (3110 N. Sheffield). Ten teams, including Illinois State's Improv Mafia (last year's champion) and University of Illinois-Urbana's Kaboot, will compete in matches all day long (noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the finals at 10 p.m.), and you can view the action for just $10-$15. That's a small price to pay to witness the potential next big thing.
If you only care about the Chicago schools, you've got some time. The local regional, featuring nine teams from seven Chicago colleges and universities, has been rescheduled to January 23, 2010. We know a website you can waste time on 'til then.
A lot of press releases for stage shows come across our desk here in Our Town, and most don’t do much to attract our attention. But our ears perked up when we got one that said “Fat Bitch!” in big pink letters on the top of it this week. It’s for a one-woman show by Erica Watson, who we had never heard of, but is a Hyde Park native and apparently was in the upcoming movie “Precious” (which we've heard really good things about).
The show, at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts starting Nov. 19 ($10-$15; five shows only!) is described as influenced by Whoopi Goldberg, Wanda Sykes and Mo’Nique. It is hosted by Nore Davis (who has apparently been seen on MTV, but not by us) and produced by NBA journeyman Nazr Mohammed(?). The tagline: "Yes! Erica Watson is a FAT BITCH! But society made her this way."
And that’s about all we have to say about that. But it wins the press release of the week award, and therefore we felt it deserved a shout out.
For more, check out Watson’s web site, or buy tickets here.
Love theater, but can't afford the tickets? You'll want to check out this site as soon as possible. It's the home of the Theatre Communications Group's Free Night of Theater, and it'll tell you which Chicago-area theaters will be offering tickets for nothing on particular nights throughout October (it's actually more than one Free Night, but who's quibbling?).
You can reserve tickets beginning September 29 for shows like "1001," "America: All Better!," "Boom," "St. Crispin's Day" and more. Need help choosing? Visit Centerstage for reviews and descriptions of every play.
Dirty Sanchez and his pals are sure to put on an entertaining show on Friday.
Lucha Va Voom 8:30 p.m. Friday at Congress Theater, $25-$60
If you like your Mexican midget wrestling with a splash of skin (and who doesn't?) this event is for you. Top-ranked luchadoritos battle it out in the ring while scantily clad burlesque dancers provide entertainment between matches. Now that's what we call entertainment.
The Chicago company of "Jersey Boys" has just annoucned the release of its final block of tickets; the show's two-year run at the Bank of America Theatre ends on January 10, 2010.
Tickets for the final month and a half of performances will go on sale on Friday, September 11, at 10 a.m.
The following table shows the lowest main-floor ticket price available for "Whose Live Anyway?" a live improv-comedy show featuring Ryan Stiles at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University on April 30, depending on date of purchase.
September 13: $49
September 14: $49
September 15: $15
September 16: $49
September 17: $49
Notice anything unusual?
In honor of its15th anniversary, the Center will offer 15 main-floor tickets to each of its shows for just $15 each at www.centertickets.net on September 15 beginning at 10:15 a.m. If you're one of the lucky ones to get the (up to 69 percent) discount, you can only buy two tickets. Hey, demand is high for shows like Jim Brickman (October 3), Jeff Corwin (October 17), Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (January 23), Los Lobos (March 20), The Glenn Miller Orchestra (May 15) and more. See the full lineup for season on the website.
If an event were to include even two of these things, we know you'd be scrambling for tickets. Next Friday's Lucha Va Voom event at the Congress Theater has all three (plus, possibly, midgets). The touring spectacle has been featured in numerous publications and on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and included appearances from the likes of Jack Black, Robin Williams and Patton Oswalt...and now it's finally coming to Chicago.
Tickets range from $25-$60, but we have three pairs to give away! To be entered in the drawing, send a direct message with your namemessage with the words "Sign me up for the Lucha Va Voom ticket contest!" to Centerstage via Twitter by this Friday, September 11, at 3 p.m.
Things are always done bigger on Broadway, and "A Steady Rain" is no exception.
Over the past few years, several Chicago theater productions have made their way to Broadway. Ever wanted to follow them? Now's your chance.
Local PR firm Noreen Heron & Associates will launch its first Chicago-to-New York tour on the weekend of October 15-18. The package ($1,399-$1,999 per person depending on room occupancy) includes round-trip airfare, a room at the Sheraton Manhattan hotel, dinner at Tavern on the Green and tickets to see "A Steady Rain" (a Chicago original now starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman) and the Tony-Award-winning "Billy Elliott." Guests will also be able to talk with Ray Gaspard, producer of "A Steady Rain."
To book your trip, call Heron PR at (773) 969-5200 or visit the website.
A final summer fling
Danny Lemmon and the Squeeze milk the summer for one more bash when they take the Entertainment stage at 2 p.m. for the Last Fling at the Naperville Riverwalk, 100 W. Jackson, Naperville. Admission is free. Information: (630) 961-4143; www.lastfling.org.
Time for one more staycation Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, 2024 N. Hasted, offers $3 tapas from 4-6 p.m. and reminds us of when we went to Barcelona (back when we could afford to go on vacation).
Ultimately, the Dude abides
Gorilla Tango Theater, 1919 N. Milwaukee, presents “Rollin’ Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque,” an evening of mature comedy, music and striptease themed around the Coen Brothers’ cult classic “The Big Lebowski,” at 10 tonight. Tickets: $15. Information: (773) 598-4549; www.gorillatango.com.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about Saturday!
African Festival of the Arts All day Friday-Monday, Washington Park (51st and Cottage Grove), $5-10 or $30 for a weekend pass
The 20th installment of this immensely popular South Side festival finishes with a bang as the "Godfather of Funk" himself, George Clinton, headlines on Monday. Leading up to that, check out acts like The Pharcyde and Booker T. Jones (Saturday), Ahmad Jamaal and the Soukous Stars (Sunday). There's also a kids tent and a food court with traditional African fare.
There’s still plenty of summer left and plenty of activies to enjoy this weekend:
The Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan, condenses things down into 2-1/2 hours in its 3 p.m. performance of “The Arabian Nights.” Tickets: $52-$56. Info: (312) 337-0665 or www.lookingglasstheatre.org.
Blues musician Taj Mahal opens for Bonnie Raitt at Ravinia, Lake Cook and Green Bay roads, Highland Park. Tickets: $32-$80. Info: (847) 266-5100 or www.ravinia.org.
“The Fighting Temptations” screens at 8:30 tonight at the DuSable Museum in Washington Park, 740 E. 56th Pl. It’s free.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about Saturday!
Hey, kids, want some classes you can actually look forward to this fall? Here's an idea: Sign up for some performing-arts training at Studio BE, the new Lakeview facility offering instruction for kids ages 6-18. The fall schedule sounds a lot more exciting than your average AP course load, with options like body building for actors, improvisation and tap/ballet. Classes begin September 8 and run for eight weeks. Registration is open now<(a href="http://www.studio-be.org">www.studio-be.org, (773) 248-5900); rates run from $89/class until September 1, so get your parents to shell out soon.
While you're checking out the school, make plans to see a show by Studio-BE's resident company, pH Productions (pHrenzy PG might be the way to go for you young'uns). Who knows, if you keep up with those classes, you could be on stage with these hilarious improv-ers one day. Either way, it'll be better than whatever family activity your mom could dream up.
Gold Coast Art Fair 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday; free
It's art as far as the eye can see at this nine-block festival celebrating its 52nd year. More than 350,000 people are expected to walk the streets of the swanky Gold Coast neighborhood while perusing work from 400 artists.
Joey Bland, who plays Rod Blagojevich in the Second City musical "Rod Blagojevich Superstar," dons the Big Hair for his big role.(Sun-Times file)
We love watching him on TV — especially nowadays — so why shouldn't we love watching his antics on stage? Second City's hit show "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" has been extended again at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. But this is the last one. Really. No more after Sept. 6.
The reason given for this final extension: "Due to tremendous demand and irresistible new source material still being provided by the former governor including his upcoming book, The Governor."
Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticketholders get a 40 percent parking discount. Tickets are $25 ($20 for groups of 10 or more) and may be purchased by visiting Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s site at or calling the CST Box Office at (312) 595-5600.
Pierogi Fest Friday-Sunday at 1900 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, Indiana; free
Make your way to Whiting for this unique ethnic event featuring pierogi, polka bands, a parade and Mr. Pierogi. This costumed character, along with his friends The Pieroguettes and Miss Paczki, makes the rounds of the fest and performs a number of musical spoofs. There will also be plenty of family fun, a pierogi toss contest, a beer garden and an art show. Don't want to travel? Check out Centerstage's guide to the best pierogi right here in Chicago.
Summer “camp”
Book passage on Hell in a Handbag’s latest campy parody, the very funny “Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical.” The show has been extended through Aug. 16, and you can catch it at 8 tonight at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division; $25. Details: www.brownpapertickets.com. Swim, Shelley, Swim!
Grillin’
Our condo is too small for a balcony to grill on. Thankfully, we can still get our barbecue fix at Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division. A slab of ribs (more than enough for two to share) will set you back $19.25 and comes with two sides (we’re partial to beans and slaw). Grab a bite and stay for the tunes by the Brandon Harvey Band, playing from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (773) 772-6656.
Chillin’
Sunday is National Daiquiri Day (who knew, right?). Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron, gets a jump on things with “Daiquiri Eve.” Master mixologist Adam Seger serves up $10 frozen daiquiri creations from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. (312) 664-2727.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about Saturday!
