There’s so much to see in our area this season! Here’s just a sample of what’s coming up.
November
Classic Images: Ansel Adams Exhibit
Through Jan. 8, 2012, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 1-4:30 p.m. Sun. With 70 photographs from a rare portfolio hand-printed by the artist. Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda, (847) 968-3400, lcfpd.org.
Scrooge the Musical
Nov. 19-Dec. 23, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. See website for additional performances. Adapted from the 1970 movie that won two Academy Awards. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.
Best of Lucy’s Cafe
Nov. 25, 2011, 9 p.m. Live music in a cabaret setting. Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3, 8 p.m.; Nov. 27, 4 p.m.; Dec. 4, 3 p.m. A couple must include the worst-behaved children ever in a church Christmas show. Woodstock Musical Theatre Co., Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Fox Valley Repertory: It’s a Wonderful Life
Nov. 25-Dec. 24, Th-Sat 8 p.m.; Sat. 4:30 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. A 1940s live radio show of Capra’s classic, with man-made sound effects and live commercials. Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342, pheasantrun.com.
The Flying Karamazov Brothers
Nov. 26, 4 & 8 p.m. Physical humor, clever banter, zany dancing and lots of juggling. For ages 2 to 92. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora (630) 896-6666, paramountarts.com.
Cocktails with Larry Miller
Nov. 26, 8 p.m. The popular comedian shares his perspective about marriage, children and drinking. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
The Orion Ensemble
Nov. 27, 7-9 p.m. This mainstay in the Chicago classical scene performs. Fox Valley Presbyterian Church. 227 East Side Dr., Geneva. Info: (630) 628-9591, orionensemble.org.
December
Williams Street Repertory: Santaland Diaries
Dec. 1-3, 8 p.m., Dec. 3, 4 p.m. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Rick Springfield
Dec. 2, 8 p.m. The ‘80s heartthrob who had Top 40 hits with “Speak to the Sky” and “Jessie’s Girl.” Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles,
(630) 962-7000, oshows.com.
The Second City Dysfunctional Holiday Review
Dec. 2-16, Fri. 8 p.m. Get ready to laugh off your seasonal anxieties with a raucous blend of sketches, songs, satire and improv. Pheasant Run, St. Charles (630) 584-6342.
Jim Peterick & the Ides of March
Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. The original members of the ‘60s rock band from Berwyn in their fifth annual holiday show, with original and classic seasonal music, plus some of the group’s hits, like “Vehicle.” Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.
America featuring Jim Messina
Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Founders Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, and the musician who’s been part of Buffalo Springfield, Loggins & Messina and Poco, play hits like “Ventura Highway” and “Horse With No Name” plus holiday classics and new material. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, oshows.com.
Hairspray
Dec. 3-17, Sat. 10:30 a.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, presented by FVR Youth Ensemble. Pheasant Run, St. Charles (630) 584-6342.
The Von Trapp Children
Dec. 4, 3 p.m. Meet Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, and Justin von Trapp, the great-grandchildren of Captain von Trapp, father of the famous singing family whose story captivated the world in the musical The Sound of Music. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Sunday Concert: The Rheos Quartet
Dec. 4, 2 p.m. This classical guitar quartet performs music from Brazil, Germany and Japan. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments after the concert. Free tickets at Registration Desk. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Lakeside Singers Christmas Concert
Dec. 4, 3 p.m. This ensemble of 24 Chicago-area professional singers perform a variety of holiday favorites. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Northwest Indiana Symphony Holiday Concert
Dec. 9, 8 p.m. A festive combination of contemporary and classic holiday music. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
ESO: Holiday Concert
Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m., Dec.10-11, 3:30 p.m, Dec. 10, 8 p.m. Stephen Squires, conductor. Hemmens, Elgin. Tickets: ESO: (847) 888-4000.
Frank Sinatra 96th Birthday Party
Dec. 9, 8 p.m. With special guest Frank Sinatra, Jr., and the 24-piece Bill Porter Orchestra. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, oshows.com.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Dec. 9-11, 16-19, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2:30 p.m. A couple putting on a church Christmas show must include in the cast the worst-behaved children ever. Albright Theatre Company, 100 N. Island Ave., 3rd Floor, Batavia, (630) 406-8838, albrighttheatre.com.
United States Air Force Band of Mid-America
Dec. 10, TBA. Stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., the unit is comprised of 45 talented Air Force musicians. Free. Norris Center, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200.
Little Women: The Musical
Dec. 10-11, 17-18, 7 p.m. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic about the March family, it debuted on Broadway in 2005. Presented by Green Room Theater. Cosman Theater, 12015 Mill St., Huntley, (847) 931-4233, greenroomtheater.com.
The Second City Dysfunctional Holiday Review
Dec. 10, 8 p.m. Get ready to laugh off your seasonal anxieties with a raucous blend of sketches, songs, satire and improv. Fermilab, Batavia, (630) 840-2787.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Dec. 10-11, 17-18, Sat. 8 p.m. Sun. 3 p.m. Rock opera based on the Gospels’ account of the last days of Jesus, by the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, oshows.com.
Voices in Harmony Sing-Along Messiah
Dec. 11, 4 p.m. Bring your voice and perform Handel’s masterwork along with a 25-piece orchestra and excellent soloists. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Trans Infinity Orchestra
Dec. 16, 8 p.m. The music of Trans Siberian Orchestra and other holiday favorites, played by Trans Infinity Orchestra, with a choir and light show. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, oshows.com.
Ballet Folklórico Quetzalcoatl
Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Amazing choreography, superb showmanship and authentic wardrobes, made in Mexico, mark the performances by this nationally recognized dance troupe from Aurora. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Ed Hall’s Christmas Guitar Night
Dec. 23, 8 p.m. The 16th annual show, with acclaimed guitarists Woody Mann, Jeff Friedlander, Dan Alder and Ed Hall playing unique arrangements of holiday favorites. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300.
Bryan White: A White Christmas
Dec. 30, 7 p.m. This country singer with hits like “God Gave Me You” and “I’m Not Supposed to Love You Anymore” in a Christmas concert with special guest Anna Johnson. Woodstock Opera House, woodstockoperahouse.com
Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show
Dec. 31, 6 & 10 p.m. Bring in the New Year with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop. Led by son of late comic Buddy Hackett, this tribute show was voted best in Las Vegas. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
January 2012
Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular
Jan. 6, 2012, 8 p.m. Shawn Klush, Donny Edwards, Cody Slaughter, special guests DJ Fontana; The Sweet Inspirations. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
The Best of Second City
Jan. 6, 8 p.m. Chicago’s best-loved comedy group in an evening of raucous comedy and trademark improv. Pheasant Run, St. Charles, (630) 584-6342.
ESO: Forces of Nature: Water & Fire
Jan. 7-8, 2012, Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3:30 p.m. Daniel Hege, conductor. Handel: Water Music Suite; Haydn: Fire Symphony No. 9 in A major; Stravinsky: Firebird. Hemmens, Elgin. Tickets: ESO: (847) 888-4000.
Bold & Stupid Men at Your Service
Jan. 7, 2012, 8 p.m. Learn honor and the art of chivalry through some of the best comedic combat in the country, from Master swordsmen Dirk Perfect and Guido Crescendo. Mainstage Theatre, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, (630) 584-6342.
“Ricky Nelson Remembered”
Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. Multimedia event featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, identical twin sons of Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Nelson, playing their father’s hits (“Hello Mary Lou,” “Travelin’ Man,” “Garden Party”) and never-before-seen video footage of the Nelson family. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
American English
Jan. 13-14, 8 p.m. Considered by many to be the best Beatles tribute band today, with vintage costumes, authentic instruments and fun special effects. Pheasant Run, St. Charles, (630) 584-6342.
Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Jan. 13-15, 20-22. From DeKalb Children’s Community Theatre: Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical retelling of the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers, mixing pop, rock, country, musical comedy. NIU’s O’Connell Theatre, DeKalb.
Leaving Iowa
Jan. 13-15, 20-22, 27-29, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A middle-aged writer, searching for the perfect spot to scatter his father’s ashes, relives summer vacations in the family station wagon in Winterset, Iowa. Elgin Theatre Company. Kimball Street Theater, Dundee Avenue & Kimball, Elgin Academy, Elgin, (847) 741-0532, elgin-theatre.org.
Murderer
Jan. 13-Feb. 5, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. A man, obsessed with famous murders of the past, recreates the crimes and plans one of his own hoping to be famous, too. Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8521.
Poi Dog Pondering
Jan. 14, 8 p.m. This Hawaiian group, first relocated to Austin, Texas, and now based in Chicago, plays a blend of acoustic folk and electronic music. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Mike Toomey’s TV & Me
Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. See the role that television played in this comedian’s childhood and learn how it has shaped his adult life, with over 200 slide and sound bytes from TV shows and his dead-on impressions of celebrities. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
12 Dancing Princesses
Jan. 14-Feb. 5, Sat. 10:30 a.m. & 1pm; Sun. 1 p.m. Young performers in a live adaptation of the Barbie doll animated tale. Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8521.
A Chorus Line
Jan. 18-Feb. 15, check website for times. One of the longest-running musicals on Broadway, about a group of dancer auditioning for – what else? – a chorus line. Paramount Broadway Series, evening/matinee performances. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
FVR: Moonlight & Magnolias
Jan. 19-March 11, check website for days/times. A comical behind-the-scenes glimpse of the creation of the script for Gone With the Wind as the two writers lock themselves in a room for five days in 1939 Hollywood. Rated PG-13 for language. Pheasant Run, St. Charles, (630) 584-6342.
Lucy’s Cafe, An Evening of Comedy
Jan. 20, 8:30 p.m. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Lucy’s Cafe, An Evening of Music
Jan. 27, 8:30 p.m. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
February 2012
Seussical
Feb. 1, 10 a.m. “Oh, the thinks you can think,” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved stories collide and cavort in this Broadway adaptation especially for young audiences. Norris Center, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200.
Mad River Theater Works: Freedom Bound
Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. A musical dramatization of the saga of an escaped slave and the abolitionist who helps him along the Ohio Underground Railroad. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
The Cashore Marionettes: Simple Gifts
Feb. 4, 3 p.m. A series of scenes taken from everyday life and set to beautiful music by composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi, Strauss and Copland. Woodstock Opera House, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Feb. 4, 8 p.m. With its soothing sounds of South African music, this eight-man, a capella group has played with Paul Simon and a Life Savers commercial, performed for the Royal family and two Nobel Prize ceremonies, and sold more than 7 million records. Fermilab, Batavia, (630) 840-2787.
ESO: My Passionate Valentine
Feb. 4-5, Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3:30 p.m. Jose Luis Gomez, conductor. Emmanuel Chabrier: Habanera; George Bizet: Symphony No. 1 in C major; Joaquin Turina: La Procesión del Rocio, opus 9; Joaquin Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Maurice Ravel: Bolero. Hemmens, Elgin. Tickets: ESO: (847) 888-4000.
Ramona Quimby
Feb. 6, 9 a.m. & noon. Based on the children’s books by Beverly Cleary, Ramona is always aggravating her big sister Beezus. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Freedom Train
Feb. 9, 10 a.m. TheatreworksUSA presents a Black History Month tradition, a production using period dance, dialogue and music to tell Harriet Tubman’s story. Norris Center, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200.
Cirque du Soliel: Quidam
Feb. 8-10, 12, check website for times. A young girl’s escape into a world of imagination, told with this group’s signature blend of music, aerial acrobatics and athletic dance. Sears Centre, Hoffmann Estates, (888) 732-7784.
Celtic Fire
Feb. 10, 8 p.m. This new show combines the ethereal voice of Angela Little (singer and composer on the film Australia), with the energy and excitement of Irish dancing, primal tribal rhythms, cinematic sounds and stunning visual projections. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Williams Street Repertory: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Feb. 10-11, 8 p.m. Musical comic revue about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, spouses and in-laws. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
The Wizard of Oz
Feb. 10-12, TBA. A live musical production from Rising Star Theatreworks of the 1939 Judy Garland film, with all the classic songs. Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1401 W. Wilson St., Batavia.
Peking Acrobats
Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Wire walking, trick cycling, tumbling, juggling and balancing feats, accompanied by live traditional Chinese instruments and special effects. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
A Tribute to Neil Young
Feb. 11, 8 p.m. Hits like “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man,” performed by Dennis Neil & the Neil Deal Band. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300.
“Songs My Mother Taught Me”
Feb. 12, 4 p.m. Lorna Luft celebrates her mother Judy Garland: The Legend, The Music, The Memories. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
The Color of Justice
Feb. 13, 9:30 a.m. & noon. Thurgood Marshall gets the Carter family of Topeka to join Brown vs. the Board of Education. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Are You My Mother?
Feb. 14, 9:45 a.m. & noon. Live musical adaptation of the children’s book by P.D. Eastman. Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, (847) 931-5900, hemmens.org.
The Glass Menagerie
Feb. 17-March 11, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. Tennessee Williams’ poignat drama about disappointment, escape and expectation. Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8521.
Jungle Book
Feb. 18-March 11, Sat. 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m. Children’s theater version of the Kipling tale of Mowgli, the little boy reared by apes. Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8521.
A Tribute to Santana
Feb. 18, 8 p.m. Hits like “Evil Woman,” “Oye Como Va” and “Black Magic Woman,” performed by Abraxas. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300.
ESO: How the West Was Won
Feb. 18-19, Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3:30 p.m. Stephen Squires, conductor. A wide selection of music from television and film westerns. Hemmens, Elgin. Tickets: ESO: (847) 888-4000.
Il Voce
Feb. 19, 3 p.m. This vocal quartet with unique interpretations of romantic, classical, pop and opera favorites. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
The Color of Justice
Feb. 22, 9:45 a.m. & noon. Thurgood Marshall enlists the Carter family of Topeka in the Supreme Court case Brown vs. the Board of Education. Hemmens, Elgin, (847) 931-5900.
Los Lobos
Feb. 23, 8 p.m. This Grammy award-winning band has been making music for 34 years, with hits like Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and “Come On, Let’s Go.” Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666.
Elmhurst College Jazz Festival
Feb. 24-26, daily from 11:30 a.m. The 45th annual event features college ensembles and professional performers that include Jeff Hamilton, Christoph Luty, Wayne Bergeron and Tamir Hendelman. Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, (630) 617-5534, public.elmhurst.edu/jazzfestival.
An Evening of Percussion
Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Performances by the Crystal Lake Strikers’ All Star Drum Line. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
A Tribute to Simon & Garfunkel
Feb. 25-26, Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. Performed by A.J. Searingen and Jonathon Beedle. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300. ❚