Arts and entertainment calendar Sept. 20

STAGE

“Dearly Departed”

Through Oct. 28 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. After the patriarch keels over, members of the Turpin family try desperately to pull themselves together to plan the funeral, but family and neighborhood dynamics keep getting in the way. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $24-$28; $26 for students and senior citizens. Visit www.circle-theatre.org or call (708) 660-9540.

“Dial M For Murder”

Presented through Sept. 29 at Morton College’s Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave., Cicero. $17. Visit www.jpactheatre.com.

“Jitney”

Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, kicks off its 2012-13 season with August Wilson’s “Jitney,” through Oct. 14. Peformances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $45-$65. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.CourtTheatre.org

“Love and Drowning”

16th Street Theater, 6420 16th St., Berwyn, presents the world premiere of Will Dunne’s exploration of near-death experience, through Oct. 27. Ella and Hank Harding have drowned. Or have they? After a boating accident that left them both clinically dead, the resuscitated couple now find themselves at a strange, remote institute where life isn’t what it used to be. Curtain at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. $18 for general admission; $10 for student rush tickets (limited amount available day of show only). Call (708) 795-6704 or visit www.16thstreettheater.org.

“The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story”

Presented by First Folio Theatre Sept. 26-Nov. 4 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Performances at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $26-$37. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.org.

“Marvin’s Room”

Through Sept. 30 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $24-$28; $26 for students and seniors. Visit www.circle-theatre.org or call (708) 660-9540.

“Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate”

Through Oct. 28 at Provision Theater, 1001 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Based on actual debates and exchanges, George Bernard Shaw and G.K. Chesterton — two of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century — square off in a war of words. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $28-$32; $15 students. Visit www.provisiontheater.org.

“The Spew”

The parody of “The View” plays at 8 p.m. Sept. 21-22 at Open Door Repertory Company, 902 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park. $15. Call (708) 342-0810 or e-mail info@opendoorrep.org for tickets.

“Xanadu”

Through Oct. 28 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. $35-$46, with discounts for students, seniors. Lunch and dinner packages available for $49.75-$6. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

CLASSICAL

Bella Voce

Opening its 30th anniversary season with “Mosaic Masterpieces: Masterworks from William Byrd and Frank Ferko” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. Tickets: $38 premium; $30 general admission; $15 students. Visit http://bellavoce.tix.com or call (877) 755-6277.

Chicago a cappella

Presents “Genius in the Synagogue: A Musical Portrait of Max Janowski” at 4 p.m. Oct. 14 at West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest. Tickets are $35 for preferred seating, $28 for general admission, $22 for seniors; and $12 for students. Call (773) 281-7820 or see www.chicagoacappella.org. Church of Beethoven Oak Park

The Sunday morning classical music series presents classical guitarist Forrest Weeks presenting a program of Bach, Tarrega, Kern and more at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. $10; $5 children. Visit www.churchofbeethoven-oakpark.com.

Friends of Music

Hosting a concert by the Gaudete Brass Quintet at 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park. A reception follows the performance. Call (708) 366-3226.

New Philharmonic Orchestra

Presenting “Brahms — Blissful and Bold” at 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Guest pianist Yeol eum Son joins New Philharmonic to showcase two of Brahms’ works, created at the height of his career. Tickets: $38; $36 seniors; $28 youth. Call (630) 942-4000.Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Presents “Germanic Gems” at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at Dominican University’s Performing Arts Center, 7900 Division St., River Forest. The program includes works by Wagner, Mozart, Schubert and Strauss. Pre-concert conversation with Jack Zimmerman at 3 p.m. Tickets: $20-$30; free for students through college. Call (708) 488-5000 www.symphonyoprf.com.

VOCAL ARTIST
Greta Ball

In concert at 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph St., Oak Park. Ball, an Oak Park native and charter member of the Oak Park and River Forest Children’s Choir, is pursuing an operatic career in New York. $20; $15 students and seniors; free for children under 13. E-mail GretaBallConcert@gmail.com or call (708) 848-0561.

POP/FOLK/JAZZ

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. (312) 431-2357. www.auditoriumtheatre.org. Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.: Singer, pianist and musical revivalist Michael Feinstein will join Jeff Lindberg’s Chicago Jazz Orchestra to honor the great American songbook. Tickets: $32-$92.

Dominican University

Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. (708) 488-5000. dom.edu/pac. Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Grammy-winning folk singer and humorist Loudon Wainwright III and singer-songwriter Dar Williams. $25-$29.

FitzGerald’s

6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Sept. 21, 9 p.m.: Deacon Blues (Steely Dan tribute). $15. Sept. 22, 9 p.m.: Heartsfield (rock). $15. Sept. 23, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Sept. 27, 8 p.m.: Los Straitjackets with Daddy-o-Grande plus Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys (rockabilly). $20. Sept. 28, 9 p.m.: Cannonball in the SideBar (rock). No cover. Sept. 28, 9 p.m.: Los Straitjackets plus Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys (rockabilly). $20. Sept. 29, 9 p.m.: Elaine Stepter and the Jackson Street Band, with The Velvet Jimis (R&B/soul). $15. Sept. 29, 9 p.m.: The Lost and Nameless Orchestra in the SideBar (roots). $5. Sept. 30, 6 p.m.: Fred Cantu Big Band. $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Oct. 5, 9 p.m.: Mike Mangione & the Union, plus Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, and Brooks Ritter (rock). $12. Oct. 6, 9 p.m.: Junior Brown (country). $20. Oct. 7, 6 p.m.: Grandstand Big Band. $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Oct. 10, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $8. Oct. 10, 8:30 p.m.: Alligator Records party featuring Curtis Salgado in the SideBar Music Room (blues). $15. Oct. 21, 6 p.m.: The Brienn Perry Orchestra (jazz). $15; $5 for ages 17 and under.

ART GALLERIES

Expressions Graphics

29 W. Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 386-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Through Sept. 30: “Suffering for Beauty,” an exhibition of screen prints by Janet Schill. Meet the artist, 7 p.m. Sept. 21. Reception, 2-6 p.m. Sept. 22.

Gallery Pink

149 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 524-2231. www.gallerypink-elkinsstudio.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Through Sept. 30: “Janice Elkins: Iterations.”

North Riverside Mall Theatre

7501 W. Cermak Road, Riverside. www.classiccinemas.com. September: Mixed-media works by Forest Park artist Elaine Luther.

Oak Park Art League

720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Through Oct. 5: Illinois Watercolor Society Show. Oct. 12-Nov. 16: Second annual Carriage House Gallery National Juried Exhibition. Opening reception will be held from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 12.Oak Park Public Library

834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Through Sept. 29: Exhibit of works by 26 members of the Oak Park Photography Club.

AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

Circle Theatre’s Emerging Young Artists Program

Holding auditions for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” open to youth ages 10-18, from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 24 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison, Oak Park. No appointment necessary. Performers should prepare one song of their choice, bring sheet music, and be dressed to dance. A pianist will be provided. Performance dates are Dec. 6, 8 and 9. Visit www.circle-theatre.org.

Guerin Prep High School

8001 W. Belmont Ave., River Grove, seeks crafters and vendors for its 32nd annual craft show, to be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 27. Call (773) 777-2349.

Oak Park Women’s Exchange

seeks crafters for its 38th annual Holiday Art & Craft Show, to be held Nov. 4 at Oak Park River Forest High School. For an application, visit www.opwe.org.BENEFITS

Bourbon and Beer Tasting 2012

The benefit for the Pro Musica Youth Chorus will be held from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, featuring whiskey, beer, wine and non-alcoholic offerings, food, live music by Mar Caribe, dance lessons, trivia contest, lawn games and more. Tickets: $60 in advance; $75 at the door; $475 for groups of 10, advance only. Visit www.promusicayouthchorus.org.

BOOKS & POETRY

Book Worms Book Club for Seniors

Discussing The Paris Wife by Paula McLain from 10:30 a.m.-noon Sept. 27 at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. Copies of the book are reserved at the Oak Park Public Library Main Branch. Fee is $2 for nonmembers.

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Val Mc Dermid will discuss and sign Vanishing. Sept. 29, 2 p.m.: Author discussion and signing with Jon Lellenberg and Daniel Stashower, who have edited Arthur Conan Doyle’s newly discovered Dangerous Work: Diary of an Artic Adventure. Sept. 30, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss A Concise History of Russia by Richard Pipes. Oct. 2, 7 p.m.: William Kent Krueger discusses and signs Trickster’s Point. Oct. 7, 3 p.m.: Robert Olen Butler discusses and signs Hot Country.Oct. 14, 2 p.m.: Jeffrey Siger discusses and signs Target: Tinos (the fourth Inspector Kaldis mystery in modern Greece). Oct. 20, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss Fourth Day by Zoe Sharp. Oct. 28, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss Munich 1938: Appeasement and World War II by David Favor. Nov. 4, 1 p.m.: Helen Macie Osterman discusses and signs The Evil Eye (an Emma Winberry mystery). Nov. 17, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss The Sinners: A Criminal Edition by Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips. Nov. 18, 2 p.m.: Robert Goldsborough discusses and signs Archie Meets Nero Wolfe.

Hemingway Museum

200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. (708) 524-5383. Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: Ruth Hawkins signs Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow: The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Marriage. Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: Mark Cirino discusses and signs Ernest Hemingway: Thought in Action. Books will be sold in the Hemingway Museum bookstore before and after the event.

CHILD’S PLAY

Chicago Folks Operetta

Seeking children ages 5-17 for its Children’s Operetta Workshop production of “Peter and Paul in the Land of Nod.” Auditions will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. Sept. 25-26 for singers; 4-6 p.m. Sept. 27 for dancers. All auditions are held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 545 S. East Ave., Oak Park. Young children can sing a short song they know a cappella. An accompanist will be provided for older children if they wish to sing with a piano (bring sheet music), or they can sing a cappella. Also be prepared to do a one-minute comic monologue or recite a poem. Dancers bring jazz or ballet shoes. No previous stage experience necessary. Appointments recommended but walk-ins will be seen. The show will be taught as a 10-week workshop ending in four performances Dec. 8-9 at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. Workshop fee is $240. Call (708) 383-2742 or e-mail chicagofolksoperetta@gmail.com for an appointment.

COMEDY

Big Time Comedy Jam

At 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Best Western Hotel, 4400 Frontage Road, Hillside. Hosted by BLT, with Marcus Combs, Hustle Man and Diane Corder. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Call (847) 630-5318.

DANCE

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

Performing the dancing traditions of Mexicoat 7:30 pm.. Oct. 6 and 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Tickets: $30-$74. Call (312) 431-2357 or visit www.auditoriumtheatre.org.

The Dance Center

Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 369-8330. www.colum.edu/dancecenter. Sept. 27-29, 8 p.m.: Kota Yamazaki and his company, Fluid hug-hug, collaborate with dancers from Senegal, Ethiopia and America on (glowing), a new work exploring Japanese aesthetics of shadow and darkness. $26-$30. Oct. 11-13, 8 p.m.: Gallim Dance will perform founder and artistic director Andrea Miller’s “Blush” (2009), with movement that draws on Butoh and ballet. $26-$30.

The Joffrey Ballet

Presenting a mixed repertory program, “Human Landscapes,” Oct. 17-28 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Tickets, $31-$152, available at (800) 982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, visit www.joffrey.com.

Willowbrook Ballroom

8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Sept. 23, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, 9 and 16, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Oct. 10 and 17, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Oct. 14, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Ron Smolen Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Oct. 21, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Fall Fest

Presented by Park District of Oak Park in celebration of its 100th anniversary, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 30 at Rehm Park, 515 Garfield, Oak Park. Featuring a hay maze, pumpkin patch, entertainment, photo booth, hayrides, an exotic animal show and more. Free. Visit www.oakparkparks.com.

Fall Family Fun Fest

The annual event will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Botanical Gardens at Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, featuring games, activities, exhibits, a pumpkin patch and straw maze. Food and beverages will be sold by Triton’s Hospitality program. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 3220, or visit www.triton.edu. FILM

Hispanic Movie Night

Screening “Pan’s Labyrinth,” rated R, at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 in Room B-140 of Triton College’s Student Center (B-Building), 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Free.

Movie on the Mounds

Triton College hosts the annual outdoor family film screening featuring “Madagascar 3” at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 on the River Grove campus, 2000 Fifth Ave. Free admission. In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be shown inside the Robert M. Collins Center. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 3572.Oak Park Arms Retirement Community

408 S. Oak Park Ave. (708) 386-4040. www.oakparkarms.com. “Journey Through History … Hollywood Style” film series, hosted by radio announcer Dan Kane. All films are shown at 3:30 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and are followed by a discussion. Admission is free. Oct. 12: “Amistad,” starring Anthony Hopkins. Nov. 9: “The Alamo,” starring John Wayne. Dec. 14: “Love Actually,” starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson.

Oak Park Public Library

834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Sept. 24, 7 p.m.: Screening of the documentary “Alice’s Ordinary People.”

Oak Park Public Library

Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Sept. 26, 1:30 p.m.: Bogie! Film Series features “The African Queen” (1951). LECTURES

Lyric Opera Lecture Series

Featuring “Elektra,” by Richard Strauss, at 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. Call (708) 452-3440 or visit www.oppl.org.

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation

break :: the :: box lecture series explores creative nonconformity across architecture, art and culture, in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. For tickets, call (708) 383-8873 or visit www.utrf.org. Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Rolf Achilles :: CHAIR at Room & Board, 55 E. Ohio, Chicago. With examples from Room & Board’s collection, art historian Rolf Achilles surveys the past 200 years and shows how the chairs of Frank Lloyd Wright are as much a product of their time as they are now iconic. Reception to follow. $12 UTRF members; $15 nonmembers.

ORGANIZATIONS

Oak Park Art League

Plein Air Painting Group meets from 8:30 a.m.-noon the first and third Saturdays of the month to paint or sketch directly from both urban and natural landscapes. This is a free activity and is not instructed; bring your own materials. Open to teens and adults. Call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com. Oct. 6: An OPAL friend’s yard.

Oak Park Photography Club

Meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Veterans Room of the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park, to view and critique photographs taken by members. All skill levels are welcome.

TOURS & OUTINGS

Oak Park River Forest Gangster Tour

John Binder, author of The Chicago Outfit, conducts “There Goes the Neighbor Hood” tours of gangster history in Oak Park and River Forest at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sept. 23, starting at the Oak Park Visitor Center, 1010 Lake St., Oak Park. The exterior tour visits 15 houses; transportation by minibus with no walking required. $30. Call (708) 848-1500.

Pedal Oak Park

Bike tours at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 22-23. The two-hour tour includes stops at 22 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures. The tour begins and ends at Greenline Wheels, 105 S. Marion St., Oak Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes; however, if a bike is needed, Greenline Wheels will provide one at no additional cost. Admission is $35; $30 for members. Visit www.GoWright.org/pedal.

ET CETERA

Cernan Earth and Space Center

At Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Through Sept. 30: Earth & Sky Shows, 7:30 p.m., and laser shows, 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; Children’s shows, 2 p.m. Sundays; and Sunday Sampler, 3 p.m. Sundays. The 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, show will be replaced by the Monthly Skywatch. $8-$10; $4-$5 for children and senior citizens.

Riverside Township Radio Players

Open their 2012-13 season with “Current Events” from the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and “The Spiral Staircase” from Screen Directors Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Riverside Township Hall Auditorium, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside. Admission is free. For information, call Ellie Babka, (708) 442-8810.

100,000 Poets, Musicians and Artists for Change

A night of performance to benefit local groups working for peace and change, held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. Performers include Gregorio Gomez of Chicago’s underground poetry venue WEEDS; Tekki Lomnicki, artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre; folk singer Anna Stange; African drummer Atiba Jali; and musician Jack Rossiter-Munley.$10. Tickets at www.brown papertickets.com and at the door.

Watch Chains and Lace

A formal tea sponsored by Steampunk Chicago from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Pleasant Home Foundation, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park. The event includes hypnotism, tarot readings and lawn games. Steampunk and neo-Victorian attire is encouraged. Tea and admission is $15; tickets at www.steampunkchicago.com/tickets. General admission only is $5. Cash bar.

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