Andrew Grams and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra return for another compelling season Sept. 15-16 at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

Events @ a Glance: Arts & Entertainment Calendar

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.

Andrew Grams and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra return for another compelling season Sept. 15-16 at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

September

Girls Night
Through Sept. 23, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. An evening of musical theater featuring Broadway show hits written by female composers such as Carole King, Cyndi Lauper and Betty Comden. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 S. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.

“Legally Blonde”
Through Oct. 21, Wed. 1:30 & 7 p.m., Thu. 7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m., Sun. 1 & 5:30 p.m. In this adaptation of the hit film, sorority girl Elle Woods takes on Harvard Law School, defying expectations and rising to the challenge. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com

Glenn Hughes
Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. The former Deep Purple bassist and vocalist delivers a full concert of the classic rock group’s hits. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, arcadalive.com.

Maureen Christine
Sept. 14, 8 p.m. Christine returns for an evening of songs from Hollywood movies, Broadway shows and some swingin’ standards. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

Riders in the Sky
Sept. 15, 4 & 8 p.m. A classic cowboy quartet, keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

Pat McGann
Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. Join this Chicago comedian and television host for an evening of stand-up with some of his friends. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.

Pablo Cruise
Sept. 15, 8 p.m. Cruise brings its energy to the stage with an off-Broadway selection of tunes. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

ESO: The Firebird
Sept. 15-16, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Cellist Joshua Roman plays music by Bates, Chopin, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.” Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO), Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets: ESO, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.

Vicinity
Sept. 15-Nov. 4, Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This popular annual exhibit features works in all media created by artists living within 50 miles of the gallery. Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.

The Rising: Five Decades of Springsteen
Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. The band honors the artist and the fans, performing songs spanning the nearly five decades of Bruce Springsteen’s catalogue, from “Greetings from Asbury Park” through “Wrecking Ball.” Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

Eagles Night
Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m. The sound of the Eagles is brought to the stage by tribute group Hotel California. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

“The 39 Steps”
Sept. 20-30, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. While on vacation in London, Canadian Robert Hannay becomes embroiled in an international spy ring and is accused of murder. Stage Coach Players Theatre, 126 S. 5th St., DeKalb, (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.

“A Chorus Line”
Sept. 20-Nov. 3, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 3 p.m. The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical that takes the audience through the final grueling audition of professional chorus dancers. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.

The Listening Room: Phil Ciancio
Sept. 21, 1:15 p.m. Ciancio inspires audiences with heartfelt vocals and stylized instrumentals on saxophone as well as flute, with interpretations of pop, jazz, swing, blues and Latin standards. Lakeside Arts Park at the Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 455-8000, lakesideartspark.org.

Fleetwood Mac Nite
Sept. 21, 8 p.m. TUSK takes audience members on a ride down memory lane with the music of Fleetwood Mac. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

The Petty Kings & ’70s FM
Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. Experience the music of the legendary Tom Petty with songs such as “American Girl,” “Free Fallin’,” “Won’t Back Down” and “The Waiting.” Then, step back in time to enjoy a multimedia tribute to the hits of the ’70s by artists including Springsteen, The Doobie Brothers, Aerosmith and Steve Miller. Prairie Center, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.

The Fat Babies
Sept. 22, 8 p.m. An eight-piece jazz band interprets classic styles of the 1920s and ’30s; featuring the music of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and many more. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

Tommy James & the Shondells
Sept. 22, 8 p.m. It all started in the summer of 1966 with a little “Hanky Panky;” the rest is history. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

WSR: “Bomber’s Moon”
Sept. 28-Oct. 21, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Over four nights in an air raid shelter during the London Blitz in 1940, an American socialite and a working-class East Ender find themselves connected. Williams Street Repertory, Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.

4th Fridays at The Starline Factory
Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28, 6 p.m. This monthly art exhibit is an open-themed, juried fine art show that covers all mediums. The Starline Factory, 306 W. Front St., Harvard, (815) 943-4805, starlinefactory.com.

Harmonic Brass
Sept. 29, 3 p.m. The group’s big brass sound switches from serious musical works to lighthearted fare without missing a beat. Prairie Center, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.

Mitch Ryder, Paul Revere’s Raiders & Peter Rivera
Sept. 29, 8 p.m. High-energy rock with some of the big bands from 1965 to the early ’70s. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

Eric Burdon and the Animals
Sept. 30, 5 p.m. The soulful voice of Burdon entertains with hits such as “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

October

Richard Marx
Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. Chicago native Marx sings “Satisfied,” “Right Here Waiting” and “Keep Coming Back,” among other hits. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

1st Friday Art Show
Oct. 5, 5-8 p.m. Stroll through the Dole Gallery to see the Dangerous Lullabies IV exhibit and the Sage Gallery for an exhibit by the Crystal Lake Camera Club. Lakeside Arts Park, Crystal Lake, (815) 455-8000, lakesideartspark.org.

ESO: American Spectacular
Oct. 5-7, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. An eclectic mix of American music honoring the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Fri. show, Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg. Sat. & Sun. shows, Hemmens, Elgin, (847) 931-5900, hemmens.org. Tickets: ESO (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.

Artimus Pyle Band: Skynyrd Tribute
Oct. 7, 7 p.m. Featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Pyle, the band plays hits including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Freebird” and “Call Me the Breeze.” Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

Comedy Jam with Uncle Larry
Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. Twice voted Chicago Comedian of the Year, “Uncle Lar” is everyone’s wise-cracking, politically incorrect relative who liberally dispenses tips on everything from marriage to lotteries to children. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.

“Mulan Jr.”
Oct. 11-14, Thu. 9:30 & 11:45 a.m., Fri. 10 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 & 6 p.m. The Children’s Youth Theatre presents the one-act stage musical based on the 1998 Disney animated movie, from the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1401 W. Wilson St., Batavia, (630) 937-8930, bataviafineartscentre.org.

Blue Öyster Cult
Oct. 12, 8 p.m. Best known for the smash singles “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You” and “Godzilla.” Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

“The Weir”
Oct. 12-Nov. 4, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. In a bar in rural Ireland, local men swap spooky stories in an attempt to impress a young woman from Dublin who lives in a nearby “haunted” house. She turns the tables with a yarn of her own. Steel Beam Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.

DSO: Musical Milestones
Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m. Two longtime favorites open the symphony’s 65th season: Beethoven’s “Pastoral” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op.64.” DuPage Symphony Orchestra (DSO), Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, (630) 778-1003, dupagesymphony.org.

Cole Porter’s Top 10
Oct. 14, 1 p.m. American songbook expert Charles Troy draws the very best songs from Porter’s vast repertoire of compositions; includes vintage photos and historical video. Prairie Center, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.

Illusionist Vitaly Beckman
Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. Blending art and illusion, Beckman creates a theatrical experience that includes paintbrushes that paint on their own, photographs that come to life and faces that disappear from drivers’ licenses. Prairie Center, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.

Michael Mahler
Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. Award-winning performer/composer/lyricist Mahler celebrates the genius of Sir Paul with his performance of Silly Love Songs: The Paul McCartney Collection. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.

“Jekyll & Hyde”
Oct. 24-Nov. 3, see website for times. Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of a London lawyer who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and the evil Edward Hyde. Stage Coach Players, DeKalb, (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.

4th Fridays at The Starline Factory
Oct. 26, 6 p.m. This monthly art exhibit is an open-themed, juried fine art show that covers all mediums. The Starline Factory, 306 W. Front St., Harvard, (815) 943-4805, starlinefactory.com.

Murder Mystery: “A Star is Dead”
Oct. 26, 6 p.m. It’s the late 1930s and major stars are auditioning for a big upcoming Hollywood movie. Things turn dark as actors vie for the role of a lifetime in this fun, interactive murder mystery. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.

The Buckinghams
Oct. 26, 8 p.m. This band from Chicago takes you back to the ’60s with hits such as “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care” and “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song.” Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.

Purple Reign
Oct. 26, 8 p.m. Capturing the energy and imagination of Prince performances. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.

Lucy’s Comedy Café
Oct. 26, 8:30 p.m. Headlining is Chicago’s Jim McHugh, who blends a mixture of classic observational humor and swings at the world of sports. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.

Carolyn E. Hollins
Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. Hollins returns to the stage with a production of sacred, inspirational and gospel music performed by singers, a band and liturgical dancers. Prairie Center, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Oct. 27, 8 p.m. One of the most poignant of all classic horror stories raises the universal question about the nature of innovation: Just because it can be done, should it be done? Aquila Theatre, Fermilab, Wilson Hall, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.

DSO: Halloween Spooktacular
Oct. 28, 2 p.m. The DuPage Symphony Orchestra and the Naperville Youth Symphony join together to present a fun family concert with Halloween music by Grieg, Gounod, Mussorgsky, John Williams and more. DSO, Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, Naperville, (630) 778-1003, dupagesymphony.org.

Barbra & Frank Tribute
Oct. 28, 2 p.m. What would it have been like if Sinatra and Streisand had performed together in concert? Two look-alike, sound-alike performers cover classics like “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.

November

Nothin’ Up My Sleeve
Nov. 2, 7 p.m. Celebrating 16 years of family magic fun, this variety show is filled with magic, juggling and comedy entertainment. Kids encouraged to wear not-too-scary Halloween costumes. Raue Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.

ESO: Inside the Music: Wagner’s “The Ring”
Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. Andrew Grams and the ESO explore Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung” at this informal event. For newcomers and connoisseurs alike. Hemmens, Elgin. Tickets: ESO, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.

Craig Ferguson
Nov. 2, 8 p.m. Comedian, actor, author, director and former host of “The Late, Late Show,” Ferguson delivers a unique brand of comedy for mature audiences. Paramount, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.

“Little Women, the Musical”
Nov. 2-18, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, “Little Women” follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March and their experience growing up in Civil War America. TownSquare Players, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, townsquareplayers.org.

ESO: TITANS: Beethoven, Strauss & Wagner
Nov. 3-4, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Featuring soprano Laura Wilde, Beethoven’s “Fidelio” Overture, Strauss’ “Four Last Songs” and Wagner’s highlights from “The Ring.” Hemmens, Elgin. Tickets: ESO, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.

50th Anniversary of Cream
Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. Ginger Baker’s son Kofi Baker; Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm Bruce; and Eric Clapton’s nephew by marriage, Will Johns, come together for the first time in North America to pay homage to the legacy of Cream. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.

“James and the Giant Peach Jr.”
Nov. 8-10, Thu.-Fri. 6 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m. In this child-friendly adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel, James chops down an old fruit tree and discovers a magic potion that grows a giant peach. Rec. for grades 3-8. Metropolis School for the Performing Arts, Metropolis, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.

Simply Sinatra
Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Chicago’s Sam Fazio is back to take you on a musical journey through the decades. Metropolis, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.