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A construction crane collapsed in Edgewater Beach Oct. 6, 2021. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Red and Purple Line trains were running but not stopping at the nearby Bryn Mawr station because of the collapse, but normal train service resumed by 9 p.m., the CTA said.

Purple and Red Line service was delayed Wednesday afternoon in Edgewater Beach on the North Side after a large construction crane collapsed.

A crane operated by a private contractor toppled over in the 1100 block of West Bryn Mawr Avenue, knocking down power lines and crushing part of a vehicle, Chicago Fire District Chief John Gies told reporters at the scene.

A nearby building was partially evacuated out of precaution, but no injuries have been reported, Gies said, adding that the crane operator was not hurt.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A construction crane collapsed in Edgewater Beach Oct. 6, 2021

Gies said it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crane to collapse, and the cleanup process might take some time. Occupants of the evacuated building won’t be able to return until the crane is cleared, he said.

“It’s gonna take a while to rectify the crane because it’s a big piece of equipment that’s got to be taken apart,” Gies said.

Power has been shut off near the area, leaving some homes and businesses without electricity.

Red and Purple Line trains were running but not stopping at the nearby Bryn Mawr station because of the collapse, but normal train service resumed by 9 p.m., the CTA said.

Conor Sullivan, who lives in the building that was evacuated, was working at home when he heard a large boom and felt his apartment shake.

He looked out his window and saw the overturned crane. Sirens and fire department crews then flooded the construction site minutes later, he said.

Sullivan said he and other occupants of the building were offered to be put up at a hotel if the area isn’t cleared soon.

Sullivan said that though he’s “really happy that they’re fixing up the Red Line,” the crane collapse might make him “a little more worried” about all of the construction.

Chicago Fire Department
A construction crane collapsed in Edgewater Beach Oct. 6, 2021.

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For fans of any genre, live music isn’t hard to come by in Chicago. Check out our highlights for concerts, festivals and live performances in and around the city.

Welcome to our highlights for concerts, festivals and live music in Chicago. From free shows at Millennium Park to large festivals like Ravinia and Lollapalooza, and intimate shows at small local venues, our guide has all the latest music entertainment. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on concerts and events.

Ile

Getty Images
iLe attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

WHAT: Puerto Rican singer Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar who goes by iLe was just 16 when she joined her brothers in the popular hip-hop group Calle 13. In the past few years, the now 32-year-old singer has branched out into a solo project that has garnered Latin Grammy Awards and a devoted following. Her songs tackle issues facing her homeland and its people.

WHEN: At 8 p.m. Oct. 8

WHERE: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln

TICKETS: $40.

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the venue’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit oldtownschool.org.

Robert Finley

Alysse Gafjken Photo
Robert Finley

WHAT: Robert Finley tours behind his new album, “Sharecropper’s Son” produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. The autobiographical songs tell his life’s story and are rooted in the classic sounds of southern soul, country and R&B. After a chance meeting six years ago, Finley, now 67 and residing in Bernice, Louisiana, found himself recording in Nashville and on his way to rising star status augmented by his amazing songs, expressive vocal style and magnetic personality.

WHEN: At 8 p.m. Oct. 11

WHERE: City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph

TICKETS: $18-$32.

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the venue’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit citywinery.com/chicago.

Northbrook Symphony

Courtesy Northbrook Symphony
Robert Finley

The Northbrook Symphony opens its 42nd season with Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” featuring violinist Robert Chen, Chicago Symphony Orchestra concertmaster and the new artistic creative partner at Northbrook. Mina Zikri conducts. At 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, 2300 Shermer, Northbrook. There is a pre-concert lecture prior to each concert at 2:45 p.m. Tickets: $50-$150. For tickets and updated information regarding the venue’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit northbrooksymphony.org.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

(C) Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Riccardo Muti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2017.

WHAT: Ricardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra reunite for their first concerts since February 2020 with a series of three performances in a fall residency. The opening program (Sept. 23-25) features music by Joseph Bologne-Chevalier de Saint-George and Florence Price as well as Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3 (Eroica).” Violinist Leonidas Kavakos joins Muti and the orchestra for Brahms “Violin Concerto in D Major” plus the orchestra performs “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (Sept. 30-Oct. 2). The final fall program (Oct. 7-9) features the CSO’s first performance of Missy Mazzoli’s 2006 work “These Worlds in Us” plus pieces by Anatoly Liadov and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

WHERE: CSO at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan.

TICKETS: $38-$260.

VISIT: For updated information regarding the CSO’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit cso.org.

‘Songs for Nobodies’

Photo by Michael Brosilow
Bethany Thomas in “Songs for Nobodies.”

WHAT: “Songs for Nobodies” is Joanna Murray-Smith’s one-woman tour-de-force that celebrates the iconic work of Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas. Bethany Thomas stars in the story of the unexpected encounters between these divas and the ordinary women whose lives they changed. Rob Lindley directs.

WHEN: From Sept. 23-Oct. 31

WHERE: Northlight Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie.

TICKETS: $30-$89

VISIT: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit northlight.org.

World Music Wednesday

Amy Young Photo
Bomba con Buya

WHAT: The Old Town School of Folk Music’s weekly showcase of world music and dance, returns beginning Sept. 1 with Jazz a la Mexicana, a concert featuring traditional and folkloric Mexican music mixed with jazz. A celebration of Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center’s 50th anniversary follows on Sept. 8 with performances of Puerto Rican bomba music by Bomba con Buya and Mancha E’ Platano. The current roster of concerts runs through Dec. 1.

WHERE: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln

Admission is free, a $10 suggested donation is appreciated. For updated information regarding the venue’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit oldtownschool.org.

Courtesy Origin Records
Chris Foreman

Chris Foreman at the Green Mill

What: The Green Mill has reopened and that means the return of Chris Foreman, a Friday night fixture at the popular jazz club. Foreman, a jazz organist blind since birth, is a master on the Hammond B3 and regarded as Chicago’s best. His playing is a blend of blues-gospel and jazz honed in his professional experience, which has included work with Hank Crawford, Albert Collins, Bernard Purdie, The Deep Blue Organ Trio and The Mighty Blue Kings.

When: 5-7:30 p.m. Fridays

Where: The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway

Cost: No cover charge

Visit greenmilljazz.com

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The immersive “Recipe for Disaster” includes cocktail, wine and food samples. | Emily Madigan

Chicagoans can find a range of plays, musicals and dance shows at local theaters large and small. Our guide has the latest on what’s on stage in the city.

Welcome to our highlights of events and entertainment on stage at Chicago’s theaters. From local productions to Broadway hits, our guide has the latest on shows in the city. Bookmark this page and check back for updates and ticket information.

‘Othello’

WHAT: Kelvin Roston Jr. stars in Court Theatre’s staging of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, “The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice.” The scenic design places audiences in the middle of the action as the noble general grapples with complex notions of race, gender and complicity at the center of the play’s murderous events that speak to a world on the brink of change. Co-directed by Charles Newell and Gabrielle Randle-Bent.

WHEN: From Oct. 7-Dec. 5

WHERE: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis

TICKETS: $56-$76 in person, $35-$50 streaming version; courttheatre.org.

VISIT: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit courttheatre.org.

‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’

WHAT: Joss Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon and Zack Whedon’s internet musical “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” comes to life on stage in a production by Black Button Eyes Productions which is also a benefit for Season of Concern. Supervillain wannabe Dr. Horrible (Kevin Webb) shares his plans to crush his nemesis, win the woman of his dreams and join the Evil League of Evil. Ed Rutherford directs.

WHEN: From Oct. 8-Nov. 6

WHERE: The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway

TICKETS: $30

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit drhorriblechicago.eventbrite.com.

Joffrey Ballet

Photo by Matt de la Pena
The Joffrey Ballet’s “Bolero” (pictured is Joffrey dancer Anais Bueno)

WHAT: The Joffrey Ballet returns to live performances with “Home: A Celebration” in its inaugural season at the Lyric Opera House. The mixed-repertory program includes the world premieres of Nicolas Blanc’s “Under the Trees’ Voices” and Yoshihisa Arai’s “Bolero” plus Chanel DaSilva’s “Swing Low” and Robert Joffrey’s “Birthday Variations.”

WHEN: From Oct. 13-24

WHERE: Lyric Opera House 20 N. Wacker

TICKETS: $35+

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the Joffrey’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit Joffrey.org.

‘The Wide Night’

Joe Martinez
Linda Reiter and Aila Ayilam Peck star in Shattered Globe Theatre and Interrobang Theatre Project’s Chicago premiere of “This Wide Night.”

WHAT: Shattered Globe Theatre presents “This Wide Night,” Chloe Moss’s drama about two formerly incarcerated women who test their friendship outside prison walls. Aila Ayilam Peck and Linda Reiter star; Georgette Verdin directs.

WHEN: From Oct. 11-Nov. 13

WHERE: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont

TICKETS: $45

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the theatre’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit sgtheatre.org

‘The Relocation of Nokwsi’

Courtesy of Chicago Children’s Theatre
“The Relocation of Nokwsi”

WHAT: Chicago Children’s Theatre marks National Indigenous People’s Day with the online film, “The Relocation of Nokwsi.” The virtual puppet production is inspired by author Robert Hicks Jr.’s grandfather’s journey away from his people — the Cherokee, Paiute, Yakama, and Shoshone — to live and work in Chicago.

WHEN: Streams Oct. 11-Nov. 11

TICKETS: free with suggested donation.

VISIT: chicagochildrenstheatre.org

Cabinet of Curiosity

Photo by Caleb Donat
Cabinet of Curiosity present “Fields of Fire,”

WHAT: The always creative minds at Cabinet of Curiosity present “Fields of Fire,” the ensemble’s fourth public ritual event. Sit at a massive round table adorned with fire and organics and witness an event with story and music all orbiting a grand tree.

WHEN: From Oct. 7-10

WHERE: at Boler Park, 3601 Arthington

TICKETS: $25, free for Lawndale residents

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the event’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit scocechicago.com

‘Creative Hustle’

WHAT: Writer-producer-actor Jay Davis presents “Creative Hustle,” a new show that brings a variety of entertainers together. Host Rodney Perry welcomes poet J. Ivy, comedian Tanisha “Just Nesh” Rice, Damon Williams, Leon Rogers and Grammy award-winning singer Tarrey Torae and more. This is a taping of a pilot for a potential new television series and Davis says he’s following the example of the 1987 HBO special “Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime.”

WHEN: At 7 p.m. Oct. 10 and 24

WHERE: The Den Theatre

TICKETS: $21, $51

VISIT: For tickets and updated information regarding the theatre’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit thedentheatre.com.

‘The Jigsaw Bride: A Frankenstein Story’

WHAT: Something or someone lies in the ruins of Dr. Frankenstein’s castle in Joseph Zettelmaier’s gothic horror tale “The Jigsaw Bride: A Frankenstein Story.”

WHEN: From Oct. 13-Nov. 14

WHERE: First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st and Rt. 83, Oak Brook

TICKETS: $49, $59

VISIT: V firstfolio.org.

‘House of the Exquisite Corps’

WHAT: “House of the Exquisite Corpse” is a horror peepshow, puppet theater anthology where hallways, rooms and hidden doors unveil worlds that terrify and amaze.

WHEN: From Oct. 7-30

WHERE: The Rough House at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division

TICKETS: $21-$26

VISIT: roughhousetehater.com.

Goodman Theatre Readings

WHAT: The Goodman Theatre presents a series of Playwrights Unit Readings: “The Madness of Mary Todd” by Terry Guest, “La Fuente De Cascabeles” by Exal Iraheta, “Expatriate” by Steve Pickering, “Rust” by Nancy Garcia Loza, “You Deserve to Be Here” by Alex Lubischer, “Boxing Play” by Marisa Carr and “Rack Up” by Eliza Bent.

WHEN: From Oct. 9-Nov. 4

WHERE: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn

TICKETS: Admission is free

VISIT: goodmantheatre.org.

Redtwist Theatre

WHAT: Stephen Karam’s “The Humans” is a drama about a family holiday gathering that unravels into tantrums and unspoken secrets; directed by Steve Scott.

WHEN: From Oct. 7-Nov. 14

WHERE: Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr

TICKETS: $35+

VISIT: redtwist.org

‘Legally Blonde’

WHAT: The musical-comedy “Legally Blonde” follows Elle Woods transformation from sorority girl to Harvard law student.

WHEN: From Oct. 7-Nov. 20

WHERE: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W Campbell, Arlington Heights

TICKETS: $40

VISIT: metropolisarts.com

‘Songs for Nobodies’

Photo by Michael Brosilow
Bethany Thomas in “Songs for Nobodies.”

WHAT: “Songs for Nobodies” is Joanna Murray-Smith’s one-woman tour-de-force that celebrates the iconic work of Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas. Bethany Thomas stars in the story of the unexpected encounters between these divas and the ordinary women whose lives they changed. Rob Lindley directs.

WHEN: From Sept. 23-Oct. 31

WHERE: Northlight Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie.

TICKETS: $30-$89

VISIT: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit northlight.org.

‘A Recipe for Disaster’

Emily Madigan
The immersive “Recipe for Disaster” includes cocktail, wine and food samples.

WHAT: Chef Rick Bayless teams up with Windy City Playhouse for “A Recipe for Disaster,” an immersive experience. Bayless, artistic director Amy Rubenstein and associate artistic director Carl Menninger created the farcical play which revolves around a trendy restaurant where everything that could go wrong does. Audiences will sample cocktails, wine and food created by Bayless. David H. Bell directs. WHEN: Performances begin Oct. 6 in an open-ended run.

WHERE: staged at the Club Level at Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn.

TICKETS: $90-$130. For updated information regarding the theater’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit windycityplayhouse.com.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater: ‘As You Like It’

WHAT: Shakespeare meets The Beatles in Daryl Cloran’s adaptation of the classic romantic comedy “As You Like It.” Cloran, who also directs, sets the play in the ’60s and infuses it with the music of the Beatles. More than 20 musical numbers from the Fab Four’s songbook are performed by a cast led by Lakeisha Renee as Rosalind and Liam Quealy as Orlando.

WHEN: From Oct. 6-Nov. 21

WHERE: Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand

TICKETS: $49-$90. For updated information regarding the theater’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit chicagoshakes.com.

PrideArts: ‘4000 Days’

WHAT: PrideArts presents Peter Quilter’s “4000 Days,” a comedy-drama about a man who wakes up from a three-week coma and finds he remembers nothing from the past 11 years including his relationship with his partner; directed by Jay Espano.

WHEN: From Oct. 1-31

WHERE: The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway

TICKETS: $30. For updated information regarding the theater’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit pridearts.org

Second City

WHAT: The Second City’s 109th revue, not yet titled, is a comedic examination of how we’re all striving to find joy in a seemingly never-ending stream of apocalyptic change from conspiracy theories to social anxiety to navigating the current political landscape.

WHEN: Presented in an open-ended run beginning Sept. 30

WHERE: The Second City, 1616 N. Wells

TICKETS: $29-$55

VISIT: For more information on the festival and updated information regarding the Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, secondcity.com/chicago-shows/

‘Rent’

Amy Boyle
Cody Jenkins and Samantha Mbolekwa in “Rent.”

WHAT: The “Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour” is the last chance to catch this celebrated touring production. Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award-winning musical follows a diverse group of artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams. It’s the first production to open to a live audience in a Broadway in Chicago theater in more than a year.

WHEN: From Oct. 5-10

WHERE: CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe

TICKETS: $25+

VISIT: For updated information regarding the theater’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit broadwayinchicago.com.

More on stage…

Vicki Quade’s “Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins & Games” returns Oct. 1-31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $35. Visit greenhousetheater.org.

Black Ensemble Theater’s cabaret series begins with “The Feel Good Musical Revue” at 8 p.m. Oct. 1-2 and 3 p.m. Oct. 3 at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark. Tickets: $45. Visit blackensembletheater.org.

The House Theatre of Chicago’s 10-part “Dracula: A Serial Audio Play” begins Oct. 1 with new episodes each week. Streams free at thehousetheatre.com.

Broken Nose Theatre presents an audio adaptation of its hit 2019 family drama “Kingdom.” Streams (pay-what-you-can) from Oct. 4-24 at brokennosetheatre.com.

Dance Doings…

Winifred Haun & Dancers premiere a new work, “When day comes,” and other dances including “Your nearest exit may be behind you,” “Bento” and “Finding the Light” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-2 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $24, $35. Visit winifredhaun.org.

The experimental company Zephyr Dance performs “Recurrences,” a re-staged, shortened reconstruction of elements from its piece “Allowances and Occurrences.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and 9 at The Martin, 2500 W. Chicago. Tickets: $10. Visit zephyrdance.com.

The Chicago Tap Summit, M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ annual celebration of tap, includes classes, panels, performances and more. From Oct. 1-3 at Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Ticket prices vary. Visit maddrhythms.com.

Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival

WHAT: Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival returns Sept. 23-Oct. 17 with its always diverse roster featuring works from Chicago and around the world. The performances, in addition to the Goodman Theatre’s staging of “American Mariachi,” performed at a various venues are Lagartijas Tirades al Sol’s “Tijuana” (Sept. 23-26), which asks the question: What does democracy mean in Mexico today?; Teatro Tariakuri’s “La manera como luces esta noche” (Sept. 25-Oct., 17), a comedic fairy tale about a princess and the commoner who loves her; Combat Hippies’ “AMAL” (Sept. 30-Oct. 3), an examination of the impact of war; Casa de Teatro’s “Mal de Amores” (Oct. 8-10), a fusion of storytelling and song as an old man tells love stories and a woman sings boleros, baladas and rancheras; Urban Theater Company’s “Brujaja” (Oct. 9-10), which pairs theater, dance and drumming; Teatro Vista’s “Futurology presents: The Fifth World” (Oct. 10-11), a new serial audio play about a true crime producer who is entangled in myth’s as old as the world; Vision Latino Theatre’s “Y tu abuela, where is she?” (Oct. 11-24), about an interracial couple seeking to modify the genes of their unborn children; Agus, Sol y Sereno’s “Corazon de Papel” (Oct. 14-17), a depiction of post-Hurricane Puerto Rico told through puppetry; Aguijon Theater’s “La Gran Tirana: Descarga dramatica” (Oct. 15-Nov. 21), a new work inspired by La Lupe, the Queen of Latin Soul.

VISIT: For more information on the festival and updated information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit clata.org.

‘Songs for a New World’

Courtesy of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s season begins with Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World.” Pictured in rehearsal are Emily Goldberg (from left), Matthew Hunter, Averis I. Anderson and Nora Navarro.

WHAT: Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s season begins with Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World,” which tells the stories of people facing a variety of life-changing crisis and features a score that blends pop, gospel and jazz.

WHEN: From Sept. 24-Oct. 24

WHERE: Howard Street Theatre, 721 Howard, Evanston

TICKETS: $42-$54

VISIT: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit theo-u.com.

‘Last Night in Karaoke Town’

Michael Courier
Factory Theater presents “Last Night in Karaoke Town.”

WHAT: Factory Theater restages “Last Night in Karaoke Town,” Mike Beyer and Kirk Pynchon’s comedy set in one of Cleveland’s oldest karaoke bars that may have to close its doors when the new owner announces he wants to change it into a cider bar. Directed by Kim Boler.

WHEN: From Sept. 24-Nov. 6

WHERE: The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard

TICKETS: $10-$25.

VISIT: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit thefactorytheater.com.

Steppenwolf: Tracy Letts

WHAT: Here’s a trio of treats from playwright Tracy Letts. Leading up to the Steppenwolf Theatre restaging of his play “Bug” in November, the company is streaming three short plays which Letts says, “share at least one thread: a world off-kilter… they feel very much like stories for 2021.” Rainn Wilson performs the monologue “Night Safari,” which poses questions about animal behavior and human biology; William Petersen, Karen Rodriguez and Mike Nussbaum voice the puppets in “The Old Country,” in which two men in a diner wax nostalgic; and Letts performs “The Stretch,” a monologue about a horse race that is not what it seems. Patrick Zakem directs the first two and outgoing artistic director Anna D. Shapiro directs the third.

WHEN: Streams from Sept. 29-Oct. 24

TICKETS: $20

VISIT: steppenwolf.org.

‘American Mariachi’

WHAT: Jose Cruz Gonzalez’s “American Mariachi” is the story of a young woman, Luca (Tiffany Solano), who spends her days caring for her ailing mother, Amalia (Gigi Cervantes), but longs to shake up her life. When the mariachi songs on a forgotten album spark her mother’s memory, she sets out to create an all-female mariachi band, an unheard of idea in the 1970s, the time in which the play is set. It’s a “funny, tender-hearted story about family, tradition and memory,” says director Henry Godinez. The cast includes an ensemble of musicians from the Grammy-nominated group Sones de Mexico.

WHEN: From Sept. 18-Oct. 24

GOODMAN THEARE: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn

TICKETS: $25+

INFO: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit goodmantheatre.org.

Lyric Opera — ‘Macbeth’

WHAT: The Lyric Opera’s 67th season begins with “Macbeth,” the inaugural production of music director Enrique Mazzola. The new production of Verdi’s opera from Scottish director Sir David McVicar is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, a portrait of a power-hungry couple and their bloody ascent to the throne of Scotland. Roman Burdenko portrays Macbeth with Sondra Radvanovsky as Lady Macbeth. Sung in Italian with projected English subtitles.

WHEN: From Sept. 17-Oct. 9

WHERE: Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker

TICKETS: $39+

INFO: For updated information regarding the Lyric’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit lyricopera.org.

‘The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 5 — Sex!’

Rick Aguilar Studios
Ed Jones (from left), Grant Drager and David Cerda with (bottom, right) Ryan Oates in “The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 5-Sex!”

WHAT: Hell in a Handbag Productions long-running parody series continues with “The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes, Vol. 5 — Sex!,” in which Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia explore their naughty side. Original cast members — David Cerda, Grant Drager, Ed Jones and Ryan Oates — star as the Geriatric Fab Four. Written by Cerda and directed by Madison Smith.

WHEN: From Sept. 16-Oct. 23

WHERE: Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N. Greenview

TICKETS: $27-$45.

INFO: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit handbagproductions.org.

‘Forever Plaid’

WHAT: Drury Lane Theatre returns with “Forever Plaid,” Stuart Ross and James Raitt’s musical revue packed with hit tunes from the 1950s. Paul Stancato directs.

WHEN: From Sept. 17-Nov. 7

WHERE: Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

TICKETS: $59-$72.

INFO: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit drurylanetheatre.com.

The Neo-Futurists

Joe Mazza
“The Infinite Wrench” by the Neo-Futurists

WHAT: The Neo-Futurists kick off their season with the return of the late-night show “The Infinite Wrench,” in which the ensemble attempts to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes.

WHEN: Ongoing performances are at 7 p.m. Sundays

WHERE: Neo-Futurists, 5153 N. Ashland

TICKETS: $10

INFO: For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit neofuturists.org.

‘Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992’

Courtesy of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Jazzma Pryor in “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.”

WHAT: Jazzma Pryor stars in Anna Deavere Smith’s tour-de-force solo show “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.” In it she portrays nearly four dozen people who were connected either directly or indirectly to the 1992 Los Angeles riots that erupted after the trial and acquittal of the police officers accused of assaulting Rodney King. The playwright shaped the piece from interviews that she conducted while researching the play. Tim Rhoze directs.

WHEN: From Sept. 11-26

WHERE: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes, Evanston

TICKETS: $25. For vaccination and/or mask policies, visit fjtheatre.com.

‘The World Goes Round’

@BrandonDahlquistPhotography
Kevin Earley (from left), Allison E. Blackwell, Meghan Murphy, Joseph Anthony Byrd, Amanda Rose are featured in “The World Goes Round” at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

WHAT: The songs of musical theater team John Kander and Fred Ebb are the centerpiece of the revue “The World Goes Round.” The hit parade of songs includes selections from “Cabaret,” “New York, New York,” “All That Jazz,” “Funny Lady,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Maybe This Time” and more. The cast features Allison E. Blackwell, Joseph Anthony Byrd, Kevin Earley, Meghan Murphy and Amanda Rose; Marcia Milgrom Dodge directs and choreographs.

WHEN:From Sept. 15-Nov. 7

WHERE: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire

TICKETS: $50-$60. For vaccination and/or mask policies, visit marriotttheatre.com.

‘Thirteen Days’

Photo by Steve Graue
Sheila Willis (from left), Cameron Feagin, Kat Evans, Julia Kessler and Maggie Cain star in “Thirteen Days” at City Lit Theater.

WHAT: “Thirteen Days” is Brian Pastor’s adaptation of Robert F. Kennedy’s memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The world-premiere play, performed by an all-female cast, is set in President John F. Kennedy’s Situation Room where he maneuvers his way through the conflicting counsel of his advisors as the world comes close to nuclear war. Leading the cast are Cameron Feagin as JFK and Kat Evans as Attorney General Robert Kennedy; Pastor directs.

WHEN: Sept. 10-Oct. 24

WHERE: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr

TICKETS: $32. For vaccination and/or mask policies, visit citylit.org.

‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’

WHAT: Citadel Theatre presents Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” a comedy about a teen who must cope with the mundane existence of his life in Brooklyn.

WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 17

WHERE: Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan, Lake Forest

TICKETS: $20-$45. For vaccination and/or mask policies, visit citadeltheatre.org.

‘Kinky Boots’

Thomas J. King
Michael Wordly makes his Paramount Theatre debut as Lola in “Kinky Boots.”

What: Live performances return for a new season at the Paramount Theatre with Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s high-kicking “Kinky Boots.” This first regional production of the Broadway musical, directed by Trent Stork, stars Devin DeSantis as Charlie, the shoemaker attempting to save his failing shoe factory, and Michael Wordly as Lola, the fierce drag queen who shows him the way.

When: Aug. 18-Oct. 17

Where: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora

Tickets: $36-$74

For updated information regarding the theater’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit paramountaurora.com.

Theatre Y

WHAT: Theatre Y’s ambitious new adventure “You Are Here: The Emerald Camino Project” is a return of its urban pilgrimages, this time through Daniel Burnham’s Emerald Necklace — the boulevard system that links the public parks on Chicago’s West and South sides. The immersive 12-part walking experience was created with artists, community leaders and organizations across a dozen communities. “This is a joyful post-pandemic experience that connects Chicago’s diverse communities through the intersection of conversation and art,” says Theatre Y’s artistic director, Melissa Lorraine. If you are walking through the neighborhood in which you live, admission is free; all other participants are Theatre Y Members or encouraged to become members (for as little as $5/month).

WHEN: Aug. 21-Sept. 26 For updated information regarding the theater’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies as well as dates and times for each walk, visit theatre-y.com.

Blue Man Group

Caroline Talbot Photography
Blue Man Group

What: Those crazy characters in blue return for more goofy fun. The show, which encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner child, is a combination of art, music, comedy and technology.

When: Ongoing

Where: Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted.

Tickets: $49-$89

For updated information regarding the theater’s Covid 19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit blueman.com.

Teatro ZinZanni

Michael Doucet
The artistry and the excitement of Teatro ZinZanni returns to Chicago starting July 8. Pictured: Lea Hinz.

What: The immersive, whirlwind theater experience that is Teatro ZinZanni has reopened featuring a new show with a cast of comedians, aerialists, acrobats, singers, dancers and a gourmet meal, it brings comedy, music and cirque back after a long pandemic hiatus. Included among the performers are powerhouse vocalists Storm Marrero and Cunio, aerial acts Lea Hinz and Duo 19, veteran comedians Frank Ferrante and Joe DePaul and acrobatic dancers Mickael and Vita.

When: Ongoing

Where: Spiegeltent ZaZou on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph

Tickets: $119-$189; limited show only tickets $69. Visit zinzanni.com/chicago.

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A general view of Guaranteed Rate Field during the observation of the singing of the national anthem before the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers on August 24, 2019, in Chicago. | Quinn Harris/Getty Images

The feds say Bruce Lee made $868,369 by selling 34,876 fraudulently obtained tickets during the 2016 through 2019 baseball seasons. The tickets had a market value of between $1 million and $1.2 million, authorities said.

A federal jury swiftly convicted a man Wednesday who swindled the White Sox out of roughly $1 million with the help of two ticket sellers who worked for the South Side baseball team.

A January 2020 indictment charged ticket broker Bruce Lee with wire fraud and money laundering, and the jury found Lee guilty of several counts of wire fraud. The verdict came after less than two hours of deliberation at the end of a four-day trial at Chicago’s federal courthouse.

It also came the day before the first playoff game between the Sox and the Houston Astros.

The trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse involved the betrayal of the Sox by a decades-long employee, a secret recording at a pizza place near Sox park and a brazen plan to take advantage of the South Siders’ complimentary and discount ticket programs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider repeatedly told jurors “the White Sox got nothing” out of the arrangement between Lee and the longtime Sox ticket seller. But Lee’s attorney, Nishay Sanan, said any crime against the Sox took place inside the ticket booth. He said Lee legitimately thought he’d paid for the thousands of tickets he later sold on StubHub.

“We believe the jury got it wrong and that they didn’t look at the evidence that the government presented,” Sanan said in a statement after the verdict. “The evidence presented by the government was bleak at best. Mr. Lee will continue to fight this conviction.”

The White Sox also released a statement in which the team said it is “very pleased by the determination of the jury in this case. We are glad that the person who orchestrated the theft and profited the most has been held accountable.”

The scam first came to light in October 2019 with an FBI affidavit about the suspicious ticket sales, especially surrounding the August 2018 debut of pitcher Michael Kopech. A few months later, prosecutors accused Lee of making $868,369 by selling 34,876 fraudulently obtained tickets during the 2016 through 2019 baseball seasons.

The tickets had a market value of between $1 million and $1.2 million, authorities said.

The Sox’s data analytics team flagged Lee as a StubHub seller who had “sold more White Sox tickets than anyone else by a substantial margin,” and the team approached the FBI in October 2018. The analytics team also thought Lee might have had inside help.

A separate affidavit described an interview with a Sox employee who told the feds he and Lee had realized in 2017 that a “bad weather” ticket program for fans had “opened the door” for tickets to be printed “without the White Sox knowledge or consent” using the computer code “Rain17.”

“I printed more Sox tickets free of charge with the Rain17 code for Bruce Lee than any other code,” the employee told the FBI.

Two former ticket sellers for the Sox, James Costello and William O’Neil, later admitted their roles in the scheme. They acknowledged they generated thousands of complimentary and discount tickets — without required vouchers — and gave them to Lee in exchange for cash.

Costello used other employees’ ID codes to avoid detection, and he eventually recruited O’Neil to help with the scheme. Costello pleaded guilty to wire fraud and O’Neil pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

Sanan told jurors Lee had paid a “tip” to Costello, but he argued Costello made the decision to keep the cash on his own.

“Whatever money Bruce Lee thought he was paying for those tickets, Costello put in his pocket,” Sanan said.

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A construction crane collapsed in Edgewater Beach Oct. 6, 2021. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Trains were initially stopped at the Bryn Mawr station about 3:30 p.m. because of an “obstruction,” the CTA said in an alert.

Purple and Red Line service was delayed Wednesday afternoon in Edgewater Beach on the North Side after a large construction crane collapsed.

A crane operated by a private contractor toppled over in the 1100 block of West Bryn Mawr Avenue, knocking down power lines and crushing part of a vehicle, Chicago Fire District Chief John Gies told reporters at the scene.

A nearby building was partially evacuated out of precaution, but no injuries have been reported, Gies said, adding that the crane operator was not hurt.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A construction crane collapsed in Edgewater Beach Oct. 6, 2021

Gies said it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crane to collapse, and the cleanup process might take some time. Occupants of the evacuated building won’t be able to return until the crane is cleared, he said.

“It’s gonna take a while to rectify the crane because it’s a big piece of equipment that’s got to be taken apart,” Gies said.

Power has been shut off near the area, leaving some homes and businesses without electricity. Red and Purple Line trains were running but not stopping at the nearby Bryn Mawr station because of the collapse, the CTA said in an alert.

Conor Sullivan, who lives in the building that was evacuated, was working at home when he heard a large boom and felt his apartment shake.

He looked out his window and saw the overturned crane. Sirens and fire department crews then flooded the construction site minutes later, he said.

Sullivan said he and other occupants of the building were offered to be put up at a hotel if the area isn’t cleared soon.

Sullivan said that though he’s “really happy that they’re fixing up the Red Line,” the crane collapse might make him “a little more worried” about all of the construction.

Chicago Fire Department
A construction crane collapsed in Edgewater Beach Oct. 6, 2021.

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Dusty Baker is still shooting for his first World Series title as a manager. | Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Tensions might flare up between the White Sox and Astros, and if they do? Managers Tony La Russa and Dusty Baker will undoubtedly love it.

HOUSTON — So, which manager has the advantage in this best-of-five playoff series between the White Sox and Astros that begins Thursday at Minute Maid Park?

Is it the old guy?

Or is it the other old guy?

Sorry, but it’s just so hard to think about the Sox’ Tony La Russa and the Astros’ Dusty Baker without also thinking about how long they’ve been at this thing. They have 58 seasons of major league managing between them. Not to mention 149 years of living.

How unusual is it for two skippers in their 70s to run up against each other in the playoffs?

Put it this way, folks: You’re watching history unfold.

We might as well call this series “That 70s Show.” Hey, that has a clever little ring to it, don’t you agree?

What a couple of managers. What a rivalry they’ve had over the years. And what a bond they share in 2021 as, together — no matter who wins and who goes home — they strike a blow for old-schoolers everywhere.

“I enjoy managing against Tony, but, the way I look at it, he’s managing against me, too,” Baker, 72, said Wednesday, perhaps not sensing the gravity and depth of the aforementioned bond. “How come you didn’t [ask about] it that way?”

Frankly, La Russa, who turned 77 Monday, wasn’t really buying the premise, either.

“Bond?” he said. “I think [Baker] would agree that our bond is that we have two outstanding teams, and if we both had been managing teams that weren’t this outstanding, we’d be watching on TV. So I think it’s important to recognize our good fortune to be involved with these two teams.”

That’s fine, they don’t have to play along. Besides, they’re basically friends — or at least on friendly enough terms most of the time — though they used to want to wring each other’s neck.

Who can forget the images of La Russa and Baker glowering, shouting and swearing at each other from the Cardinals’ and Cubs’ dugouts, respectively? It got a little nuts in September 2003 — Baker’s first season with the Cubs — in the fourth game of a critical five-game series at Wrigley Field. Starting pitchers Matt Clement and Dan Haren plunked each other. La Russa and Baker took turns grandstanding before the home-plate umpire. Then the war of words boiled over, with Baker, especially, giving lip-readers a white-hot string of reasons to blush.

Baker likened La Russa to a “bully” even as the Cubs were winning four of five en route to a division title.

“Nobody intimidates me but my dad and Bob Gibson and a bully I had in elementary school,” Baker told reporters. “And I grew bigger than him, so he couldn’t bully me anymore.”

It was hardly the only brouhaha between the two managers. In the 2002 National League Championship series, La Russa with the Cardinals and Baker still with the Giants, they shouted each other down for inside pitches and show-’em-up displays — you know, old-school stuff.

There was a nasty 2010 brawl between the Cardinals and Reds while Baker managed in Cincinnati, and the two men had to be physically separated by players and coaches. More finger pointing. More in-your-face profanity. More anything-but-friendly competition.

“We’ve really had a good relationship,” La Russa said. “The only time there’s been a problem is when we’re in the same division and you play each other. He’s for his team, I’m for my team and sometimes the sparks fly.”

And sometimes a friendly rival puts a “knife in the back” of a fellow manager. That’s what La Russa claimed on national radio in 2012 that Baker had done. La Russa — a year into retirement — was managing the NL All-Star team and had left Reds Johnny Cueto and Brandon Phillips off the roster. Baker alleged a dual “snub” stemming from the fight in Cincinnati. La Russa said he felt “betrayed” by Baker’s comments.

Anyway, tensions might flare up between the Sox and Astros. And if they do, their managers probably will be right in the thick of it. Whom are we kidding? La Russa and Baker will love it.

One man, La Russa — the game’s only active Hall of Fame manager — sits second on the all-time wins list with 2,821. He’s back with the Sox, with whom he got his start 40-plus years ago, and in search of his fourth World Series title.

“To come back, it’s like Fantasy Island,” he said, a reference that would’ve been more culturally relevant, well, 40-plus years ago. “I would have never thought that I could get this opportunity, especially with the club being this good.”

And the other man, Baker — on the precipice of 2,000 managerial wins — is trying to do with the Astros what he hasn’t done with any team since he was an All-Star left fielder for the 1981 Dodgers: win a World Series.

“My confidence level is at full,” he said. “It’s at the top. I mean, my confidence level doesn’t come from me. It comes from above. I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world. I was brought here for this, and we’ve got a chance to do something great.”

Not if he doesn’t stare down his buddy (or is it bully?) La Russa, and that would be just a start.

“The way I look at it,” Baker said, “if it’s going to happen, the Lord wants me to have it. If it doesn’t, it’s still been good.

“[But] you know how I feel inside. I need it. I’ve got to have it.”

La Russa isn’t about to just give it.

Baker and La Russa were actually teammates for a very brief stretch in Atlanta in 1971. La Russa’s big-league clock as a player was winding down, even if he didn’t know it already and would spend a few more seasons beating the bushes in an attempt to make it back. Baker’s clock was just starting to tick.

“When I saw Dusty, I went, ‘Man, he’s really good and I’m really bad,’ ” La Russa said. “That’s what I remember.”

They were reunited for a bit in Oakland in 1986 after the Sox fired La Russa midseason and the A’s — who’d jettisoned Jackie Moore — snapped him up. Baker was in his last gasp as a player and would be coaching before he knew it.

Well, get a load of them now.

An old guy.

And another old guy.

That they’re still at this thing and here at the same time is pretty damn cool. No matter who wins and who goes home.

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Two people were shot Oct. 6, 2021, in Englewood. | Adobe Stock Photo

The teen was struck in the thigh and taken to St. Bernard Hospital in good condition, police said.

A 15-year-old girl and a man were wounded in a shooting Wednesday in Englewood on the South Side.

They were near the street about 5:45 p.m. in the 5700 block of South Justine Street when multiple people approached and opened fire, Chicago police said.

The teen was struck in the thigh and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition, police said.

A 40-year-old man was shot in the back and took himself to St. Bernard Hospital, where he was in critical condition, police said.

No arrests have been reported.

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