Theater
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” is the story of Ariel (Sarah Kay), a mermaid princess fascinated with the human world, who defies her father King Triton (Anand Nagraj) and strikes a bargain with evil sea witch Ursula (Sawyer Smith) for a chance to experience life on land. Features songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater; Scott Weinstein directs. From Nov. 6-Jan. 12 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $65-$125. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.
“Every Brilliant Thing,” written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahue, shines a light on life’s small abundant joys and the lengths we will go to for those we love. Jessie Fisher stars in the one-person play; Kimberly Senior directs. From Oct. 31-Jan. 5 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Tickets: $70. Visit writerstheatre.org.
Alandra Hileman’s “Mercy Killing” follows Mercy (Stephanie Fongheiser), a barista who’s also a serial killer, and the only person who knows her secret: Thana (Madeline Ackerlund), the Grim Reaper who keeps showing up at the murder scenes. Greta Zandstra directs. From Nov. 1-17 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson. Tickets: $25. Visit openspacearts.org.
Dance
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s “Tethering in Wander Land” is an artistic collaboration performance and art exhibition in which storytellers, choreographers and devised theater artists have created new work inspired by visual artists. At 8 p.m. Nov. 1-2, 8-9 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster. Tickets: $15, $25. Visit danztheatre.org.
Dropshift Dance presents “Rooms,” an experimental performance incorporating movement, film, audio, personal objects and fabric that immerses audiences in a sensorial landscape of childhood memories, family histories and domestic spaces. From Nov. 2-23 at Gunder House, 6219 N. Sheridan. Admission: $25 suggest donation. Visit dropshiftdance.com.
Comedy
Sarah Silverman brings her new stand-up show, “Postmortem,” to town. The two-time Emmy winner, a staple in the comedy world for more than two decades, has a reputation for tackling subject matter from a unique and provocative perspective. At 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets: $49+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Comedian-actor Adam Ray has been seen in film (Paul Fieg’s “The Heat,” the reboot of “Ghostbusters”) and television (“Young Rock,” “Hacks”). He also host the popular podcast “About Last Night.” At 7:15 p.m. Oct. 31 and 7:15, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $22-$40. Visit thedentheatre.com.
Music
Fresh off his performance at the Democratic National Convention, Stevie Wonder earlier this month added a Chicago date to his “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour, which he says will be his last. The Motown legend is backed by 30 musicians as he takes fans on a journey through his vast songbook. At 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $49+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Riccardo Muti returns to continue his artistic collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with a performance of an all-Beethoven program that includes Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”) (Oct. 31-Nov. 3) and a varied program that includes the world premiere performance of Osvaldo Golijov’s “Megalopolis Suite” from Francis Ford Coppola’s film (Nov. 8-9). At Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $45+. Visit cso.org.
Oklahoma-born Mexican-American artist Wyatt Flores has established himself as one of country music’s most vital new voices. He’s touring behind his debut full-length album, “Welcome to the Plains,” which Nashville Scene calls “a vivid, emotional portrait of life.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $31-$76. Visit jamusa.com. At 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Tickets: $30+. Visit joesliverosemont.com.
Drive-By Truckers perform the entirety of their 2001 album “Southern Rock Opera,” along with fan favorites and other songs from their songbook. At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1-2 at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $59+. Visit livenation.com.
An evening with Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz and Sergey Ryabstev includes a screening of the film “Scream of My Blood: The Gogol Bordello Story” followed by a Q&A and performance. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Avondale Music Hall, 3336 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $30. Visit avondalemusichall.com.
Known for powerful live performances, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats tour in support of the band’s fourth album, “South of Here.” Gregory Alan Isakov opens at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Ticket: $45+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
The Missouri-based rock band Ozark Mountain Daredevils is known for a fusion of country, rock and folk that epitomized the 1970s Southern rock movement. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $59-$89. Visit ticketmaster.com.
The Chicago art-rock duo Finom (Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham) perform songs from their new album, “No God,” produced by Jeff Tweedy, at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Tickets: $20, $25. Visit metrochicago.com.
Museums
“Photographing Frank Lloyd Wright” explores the architect’s own early photography as well as images by the leading photographers who documented his work. Wright’s furniture and decorative arts are also displayed alongside images of the interiors for which he designed them. To Jan. 5 at Driehaus Museum, 50 E. Erie. Admission: $10-$20, children 12 and under free. Visit driehausmuseum.org.
“BeLonging: Lithuanian Artists in Chicago 1900 to Now” is a major exhibition showcasing over a century of art by Lithuanian immigrant artists with ties to Chicago. Featured are 115 works including painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles, print media and photography as well as rare books, video interviews and more. To May 17 at Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski. Admission: $6-$12. Visit balzekasmuseum.org.
Movies
After years of success as half of the comedy duo Nichols and May, Elaine May made her film writing and directing debut in 1971, and through 1987, she experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows with films that are now considered some of the most influential of this era. The series “Dangerous Business: Elaine May Matinees” offers a survey of her films “A New Leaf,” “Mikey and Nicky,” “The Heartbreak Kid” and “Ishtar.” At 11:30 a.m. on select dates from Nov. 2-24 at Music Box, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $10. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
Family Fun
The 27th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade features a fabulous costume contest ($4,000 in cash prizes!), the Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers, Chicago Thriller, Lakeside Pride Marching Band, the Windy City Rollers, Chicago Spirit Brigade, a performance by the duo Molly & Alex and more. From 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 31 on Halsted from Belmont to Brompton. For more information, visit northalsted.com.
Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead, with live music, face painting, sugar skull crafts, food, the movie “Coco” and more. From 4-8 p.m. (movie is screened at 6 p.m.) at Gallagher Way, Clark and Division. Admission is free. Visit gallagherway.com.
Sing, dance and play alongside Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their friends at “Sesame Street Live! Say Hello.” From Nov. 1-2 at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont. Tickets: $27+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
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