Here are some events happening from Feb. 9 to 15 in the Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
Elton John tribute
The Rocket Man Show is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. Tickets are $37-$58. At 203 N. Genesee St. 847-263-6300; geneseetheatre.com.
Rus Anderson stars as 1970s arena-rock era Elton John. There will be a live band, live piano, outrageous costumes and all of Elton’s hits.
Checkmate, mate
“Chess in Concert” is at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays from Feb. 9-18 at the Madden Theatre at North Central College in Naperville. Tickets are $35-$40. At 171 Chicago Ave. 630-447-8497; brightsidetheatre.com.
Composed by members of ABBA and Tim Rice, featuring ‘80s hits “One Night in Bangkok,” “I Know Him So Well” and “Anthem,” “Chess in Concert” is set in the 1980s in the shadow of the Cold War. Two chess masters meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship, but maybe they’re really fighting over a woman.
Feel the love
The Valentine’s Soul Jam is at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at The Venue at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. Tickets are $64-$228. At 777 Casino Center Drive. caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/shows.
Come for a night of hot soul music. The lineup includes Russell Thompkins, Jr., and the New Stylistics, Heatwave, Bloodstone, Enchantment and The Intruders.
Big farewell tour
Mr. Big performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Tickets are $69-$89. At 105 E. Main St. 630-962-7000; arcadalive.com.
Rock band Mr. Big is hanging up their signature top hats with their Big Finish tour in the wake of their founding member and drummer Pat Torpey’s death from Parkinson’s disease. They will perform the entirety of their breakthrough 1991 album “Lean Into It,” which includes the hit “To Be With You.”
Over the rainbow
“The Wizard of Oz” will be shown at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. Tickets are $5. At 102 N. Chicago St. 815-726-6600; rialtosquare.com.
“Reels at the Rialto” – a nod to the theater’s vaudeville movie-palace past – is a year-round series that kicks off with the story about Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto in the magical Land of Oz.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
