There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at what’s coming up this season in our many arts venues.
May
A Streetcar Named Desire
Through May 10, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The Tennessee Williams classic about animal passion, lost gentility and relying on the kindness of strangers. From Williams Street Repertory. Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
Krokus
May 1, 8 p.m. Playing honest-to-goodness power rock for almost 40 years now, this band has sold more than 14 million records, toured the world, and earned gold and platinum discs in the USA and Canada. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, oshows.com.
Hot Club of Cowtown
May 2, 8 p.m. A hot jazz/western swing trio known for its three-part harmonies, “down-home melodies and exuberant improvisation.” Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
Behind the Mask
May 3, 3 p.m. Fox Valley Concert Band Spring Concert. Free. Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.
The Lovin’ Spoonful
May 3, 5 p.m. With founding members Steve Boone and Joe Butler, and original member Jerry Yester, the group performs hits such as “Darlin’ Be Home Soon,” “She’s Still a Mystery to Me.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
George Benson
May 6, 7:30 p.m. The 10-time Grammy-winning jazz guitarist, composer & singer, with selections from his newest releases and hits like “On Broadway.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Menopause the Musical
May 6-June 28, see website for days/times. Set in a department store, four women with seemingly nothing in common meet by chance at a lingerie sale and bond, as they make fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora (630) 896-6666, paramountarts.com.
Sabrina
May 7, 6 p.m. Classic Film Series. Audrey Hepburn as the poor chauffeur’s daughter who returns from college to become the object of two rich brothers’ affections (played by William Holden and Humphrey Bogart). Gail Borden Public Library (GBPL), 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Orson Welles Centennial Festival
May 8, 15-16. A tribute to Orson Welles, born in Kenosha, Wis., on May 6, 1915, and alumnus of the Todd School for Boys in Woodstock. On May 8, 7 p.m., a new documentary, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles, is screened. On May 15, 8 p.m., RG Productions, an audio theatre group, recreates Welles’ famous War of the Worlds radio play; on May 16, 8 p.m., Eric Van Beuzekom performs the one-man play, “Rosebud: The Lives of Orson Welles.” Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
The McCartney Years
May 8, 8 p.m. Note-for-note, harmonies and riffs, every song is played live with nothing pre-recorded and to the standard set by McCartney himself in the early 1970s. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
A Celebration of Wildflowers and Art
May 9, noon-4 p.m. Hike the woodlands and witness local plein air artists along the trails, painting the native spring wildflowers. Previously completed artwork will be for sale throughout the day. Works completed that day on sale 3-4 p.m. Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset, Marengo, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.
Honk! Jr.
May 9-17, Sat. 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. A children’s version of the Broadway musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.” Steel Beam, St. Charles, steelbeamtheatre.com.
I’ve Got a Little Twist
May 10, 2 p.m. The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players celebrate the legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan in American musical theater, featuring favorites from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Bernstein, Sondheim, Lerner & Loewe, Meredith Willson and Jerry Herman. Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, ci.schaumburg.il.us.
The Drowsy Chaperone
May 14-June 14, Thu.-Sun., see website for times. Musical that won the most Tony Awards in 2006. When a fan plays his favorite cast album, a 1928 hit called “The Drowsy Chaperone,” the show bursts to life in his living room. Metropolis Performing Arts Center (Metropolis), 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.
George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelics
May 15, 8 p.m. George Clinton revolutionized R&B during the ’70s, twisting soul music into funk by adding influences from several late-’60s acid heroes. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
3 Blonde Moms
May 15, 8 p.m. Jam-packed with hilarious material, this high-energy comedy reveals three wildly contrasting points of view on being a mom, having a mom, kids, schools, husbands, in-laws and more. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
God of Carnage
May 15-June 7, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. A playground altercation between 11-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents to resolve the matter civilly – and all hell breaks loose. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 S. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.
Leon Hughes’ Coasters
May 16, 8 p.m. Founder of the R&B vocal group, the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with hits like “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Along Came Jones.” Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Gino Vannelli
May 16, 8 p.m. Five of his six albums made the top 100 Billboard charts, and in 1978, “I Just Wanna Stop” made it to fourth. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Chris Madsen
May 17, 3 p.m. This saxophonist is an in-demand figure in the Chicago jazz world as a composer, performer and educator. Norris Center, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200.
Magic of Rhythm: Percussion, Violin & Illusions
May 17, 2-3 p.m. Sunday Afternoon Family Concert. A combination of melody, rhythm, and magical illusions, with audience participation; the stage comes alive with exotic instruments from around the world, delightful music and fantastic magic. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
Paul Revere’s Raiders
May 17, 7 p.m. This group from the ‘60s, with hits like “Indian Reservation” and “Kicks,” includes four of the five longtime members. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Music of the 1940s
May 18, 7 p.m. Join pianist David J. Nelson for a musical journey down memory lane as he performs music from the 1940s. David has performed with the Elgin Civic Symphony, Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Elgin Choral Union. Please register. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
Chicagoland Voices in Concert
May 18, 7:30 p.m. This exciting choral group performs a wide variety of music from vocal jazz to musical theatre to classical and everything in between. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
A Conversation with Grant & Twain
May 23, 3 p.m. In the summer of 1885, as Ulysses Grant raced to finish his memoirs before a terminal illness would end the effort for him, among the many visitors stopping to wish him well was Mark Twain. Each a longtime admirer of the other, the two shared stories and forged a remarkable friendship. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, metropolisarts.com.
Barrington Art Festival & Historic Walking Tours
May 23-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Works of 120 juried artists from around the world in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, photography, watercolors, wood and more. Live music, food vendors, kids activities, historic walking tours. Downtown Barrington, barrington-il.gov.
Alan Parsons
May 29, 8 p.m. The leader of the progressive rock band of the ’70s & ’80s, Alan Parsons Project, which scored hits with “Eye in the Sky,” “Time,” “Games People Play.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Celebrity Autobiography
May 30, 7:30 p.m. Actual autobiographies of celebrities are read by a rotating cast of celebrities that has included Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Dratch, Matthew Broderick, Florence Henderson. Celebrities coming to Batavia are listed at celebrityautobiograpy.com, and include Kristen Johnston (pictured). Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1401 W. Wilson St., Batavia, bataviafineartscentre.org.
Cover Stories with Annie Sander & Tina Jenkins Crawley
May 30, 8 p.m. Hear the songs that shape Annie Sander and Tina Jenkins Crawley as women of faith, wives, mothers and performers. “Cover Stories” provides a brilliant combination of story with engaging music from gospel to pop. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
The Legacy Girls
May 30, June 6, 8 p.m. Boogie-woogie back to the ’30s & ’40s with this Andrews Sisters tribute, with hits like “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” and of course “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy!” Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342, pheasantrun.com.
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 30, 8 p.m. One of the most successful British invasion bands of all time, with 23 Top 10 hits, like “There’s a Kind of Hush (All Over the World),” “I’m Into Something Good” and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.” They even outsold the Beatles in 1965. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
June
Old-Time Radio
June 4, 7 -8 p.m. The Great American Songbook, featuring some of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century as they were heard on radio, including Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and a rare 1934 performance from George Gershwin. Please register. Library: GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
Ruben Studdard
June 5, 8 p.m. The “American Idol” favorite performs an evening of Luther Vandross. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
The Searchers (1956, NR)
June 8, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from an Indian tribe. Director: John Ford. Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, more. Brown Bag Lunch series. Free. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
The Pied Piper of Percussion
June 11, 4 p.m. Percussionist Steve Gryb will wow you with his one-of-a-kind show featuring hundreds of instruments from around the world. Gail Borden Public Library, Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin, (847) 531-7271, gailborden.info.
Heidi Kettering
June 11, 7:30 p.m. In her show, “Something Wonderful,” Chicago’s favorite leading lady performs hits from Johnny Mercer and Broadway to the Beatles and more. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, metropolisarts.com.
Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty, Sexy, Funny Tour
June 12-13, Fri. 10:30 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. With the help of a hilarious, all-female slate of stand-up comedians, Jenny McCarthy takes an outrageous look at life as a contemporary woman: from single motherhood to casual sex. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Mauritius
June 12-27, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A taut thriller involving priceless stamps and feuding half-sisters. As holder of the stamps, down-on-her-luck Jackie is finally a winner. But as the sharks begin to circle, Jackie could be risking her life. Adult language. Albright Theatre Co., 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, (630) 406-8838, albrighttheatre.com.
The Bikinis: A Musical Heat Wave of the 1960s
June 11-Aug. 16, Th-Sun., see website for times. A girl group from the 1960s reunites to raise money for the Sandy Shores Mobile Home Beach Resort. Hear hits like “It’s in His Kiss,” “I Will Survive,” “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” many more. FVR, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, pheasantrun.com.
Beau Jest
June 12-21, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A comedy involving a nice Jewish girl dating a WASP who tells her parents she’s dating a Jewish doctor and employs an escort to present to her parents as her Jewish doctor – and then falls in love with her escort. Elgin Theatre Co., Kimball Street Theatre, Elgin Academy, 350 Park St., Elgin, (847) 741-0532, elgin-theatre.org.
Music of the 1950s
June 14, 2 p.m. Join pianist David J. Nelson for a musical journey down memory lane as he performs music from the 1950s. David has performed with the Elgin Civic Symphony, Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Elgin Choral Union. Please register. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
Paula Poundstone
June 14, 7 p.m. A regular panelist on NPR’s popular rascal of a weekly news quiz show, “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me.” Known for her honesty and off-kilter view of the world, this comedienne’s ability to create humor on the spot is legendary. $32 & up. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
On the Magic Carpet with Barbara Eden
June 14, 7:30 p.m. The star of “I Dream of Jeannie” in a special Q&A with the audience, rare film clips, memories of such stars as Elvis, Paul Newman, Lucille Ball, even John F. Kennedy, and her treasured co-star Larry Hagman. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Laura Doherty: “Rhythm and Rhymes”
June 16, 6 p.m. concert; events 5:30-7 p.m. Kids clap and sing to Doherty’s catchy original songs and her groovy puppet friend, “Jazzasuarus.” Bring a picnic dinner and lawn chair or blanket. Dessert provided by the library. Gail Borden Rakow Branch, Elgin, (847) 531-7271.
Oh What A Night!
June 20, 7:30 p.m. This Las Vegas show is a musical tribute to the Jersey Boys, with “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and all the hits. Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1401 W. Wilson St., Batavia, bataviafineartscentre.org.
Dr. John
June 26, 8 p.m. Dr. John, or Mac Rebennak as known to friends and family, is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Penguins of Madagascar (2014, PG)
June 26, 10 a.m. Friday Family Film. Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind, to stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine from destroying the world as we know it. Free. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411.
Ray Live! A Tribute to the Legendary Ray Charles
June 26, 8 p.m. Featuring Pete Peterkin, a finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” with a dead-on-the-money performance of the legendary singer. Part of Fourth Annual National Piano Conference. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Raue Center’s Family Concert
June 27, 7 p.m. Featuring Emmy Award-winning Kurt Bestor, with the music of Disney and other favorites, with special guests including the Raue Orchestra, vocalists Kim Shriver and Jene Johnson and the Encore Youth Choir. Part of Fourth Annual National Piano Conference. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Purely Ragtime Piano
June 28, 7 p.m. Featuring local, award-winning 14-year-old pianist Daniel Souvigny playing the music of Joplin, Fats Waller and many more. Part of Fourth Annual National Piano Conference. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Ask Your Folks
June 28, 3 p.m. This Chicago-based trio plays a blend of bluegrass, jazz, Appalachian folk and funk. Norris Center, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200.
Don Felder
June 28, 8 p.m. The former lead guitarist of The Eagles. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
July
The Bacon Brothers
July 7, 7:30 p.m. Kevin and Michael Bacon have been writing songs and playing music together since about the same time they may have been fighting over Lincoln Logs or little green Army guys. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Beehive: The ‘60s Musical
July 10-Aug. 2, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. A wild, toe-tapping, head shakin’ musical tribute to the rockin’ women who made the music of ‘60’s & ‘70s so special. Forty beloved hits from everyone from Lesley Gore to Janis Joplin, from the Shirelles to the Supremes, Aretha Franklin to Tina Turner. From Williams Street Repertory. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Tim Meadows
July 12, 7 p.m. One of the longest-running cast members in the 37-year history of “Saturday Night Live.” $25 & up. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212.
Arlo Guthrie
July 12, 5 p.m. Son of legendary folk artist Woody, he grew up surrounded by renowned folk musicians including Pete Seeger and Leadbelly. A natural-born storyteller, his early fame was based on his 1967 anti-establishment song, “Alice’s Retaurant.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Rapunzel
July 18, 3 p.m. Sing and dance along with this fun version of the classic tale. Recommended for grades PreK-3. A Chicago Kids Company Production. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, metropolisarts.com.
Sons of the Never Wrong
July 18, 8 p.m. For 20 years, Sons has been wowing their fans with their music, humor and outrageously fun live shows. Fermilab, Batavia, fnal.gov/culture.
All About The Girls Fun-draiser
July 19, noon-4 p.m. A jazz champagne brunch, shopping and Fox Valley Rep’s musical production of “The Bikinis.” $69. A portion of sales will benefit LivingWell Cancer Resource Center of Geneva. Pheasant Run, St. Charles, pheasantrun.com.
Woodstock Mozart Festival
July 25-Aug. 9, Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Performances over three weekends, featuring international artists and conductors in orchestral and chamber works of Mozart and other composers. Woodstock Opera House, (630) 983-7072, mozartfest.org. Aug. 1-2 concerts held at Sanfilippo Place de la Musique, Barrington.
Tony Orlando
July 26, 5 p.m. No entertainer can move and excite an audience like Tony Orlando. One of America’s most endearing and enduring stars, Tony and America recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his recording of “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Graham Nash
July 28, 7:30 p.m. The British singer-songwriter’s light tenor voice was part of the vocal harmony of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, who wrote such hits as “Our House,” “Woodstock,” “Teach Your Children,” and as a member of The Hollies, “Carrie Anne,” “On a Carousel.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.